Soft tissue injuries associated with distal radius fractures have been reported by some authors. Arthroscopy can be used to evaluate the condition of the articular surface and intracarpal soft tissues and as an aid to treatment. There are three intracarpal soft tissues of particular importance: the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), the scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL), and the lunotriquetral interosseous ligament (LTIL). The purpose of this study was to evaluate intracarpal soft tissue injuries and their relationships with fracture types during arthroscopic surgical treatment of distal radius fractures.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the midterm clinical and radiographic outcomes of this new treatment for Kienböck’s disease. Methods: We applied a new method involving drilling, bone marrow transfusion, external fixation, and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for patients with Kienböck’s disease. Between 2000 and 2006, the treatment was performed in 18 patients (10 men and 8 women; 9 right wrists and 9 left wrists). The preoperative Lichtman stages were stage II in 4 cases, stage IIIa in 11 cases, and stage IIIb in 3 cases. The mean age at surgery was 44.9 years (range 16–68 years), and the mean follow-up period was 63 months (range 28–125 months). The overall results were evaluated using the Mayo wrist score and Nakamura scoring system for Kienböck’s disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed for all patients. Results: Wrist pain improved to no pain in 13 patients, mild pain in 4 patients, and moderate pain in 1 patient. The average wrist flexion–extension arc was 100° and averaged 120 % of the preoperative value. The average grip strength increased from 50 to 85 % relative to the unaffected side. On roentgenograms, the carpal height ratio (change from 0.53 to 0.51) and the Stahl index (change from 0.38 to 0.32) decreased slightly. On MRI, fatty marrow was recovered in 11 patients (61 %) on proton density-weighted images. Conclusions: This method can be used as a less-invasive surgical treatment alternative for Kienböck’s disease. At an average follow-up period of 6 years, this new treatment has been shown to be a reliable and durable procedure for patients with Lichtman stage II or stage III Kienböck’s disease. Caution should be exercised for patients with a fragmented lunate because of the risk of collapse and nonunion of the lunate.

Sion by immunohistochemistry in glomus tumor samples. Methods: Eight solitary glomus tumors were surgically excised and confirmed histologically by an experienced pathologist. Paraffin-embedded tissues were prepared for immunohistochemistry. The sections were stained with separate polyclonal antibodies for S100, substance P, and cyclooxygenase-2. In three of the tumors, we measured the prostaglandin E2 concentrations. Results: All samples were positive for S100 protein and cyclooxygenase-2.Substance P was found in five of the eight samples. High prostaglandin-E2 concentrations were seen in all three samples tested. Conclusions: Cyclooxygenase-2-immunoreactive cells are present in solitary glomus tumors. Since cyclooxygenase-2 produces prostaglandin E2, which is thought to be a strong vasodilator, the pain could be caused by vasodilation in the glomus tumor, with increased intracapsular pressure. Clinical Relevance: Clinically, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that block prostaglandin production may control glomus tumor pain. However, considering the possible medication side effects, operative management remains the treatment of choice....

Level of Evidence: V, Expert Opinion