published_or_final_version / Orthopaedic Surgery / Master / Master of Philosophy

As fraturas da extremidade distal do rádio são muito comuns em nosso meio, sendo a mais freqüente do punho. Inúmeras pesquisas já foram realizadas sobre o tema e é conhecida a importância da redução anatômica das fraturas intra-articulares; porém, a causa de insucesso no seu tratamento pode ser a associação de outras lesões, envolvendo partes moles e cartilagem. O objetivo foi realizar uma avaliação artroscópica para analisar a incidência das lesões ligamentares e condrais associadas às fraturas intraarticulares da extremidade distal do rádio, correlacionado-a com classificação AO/ASIF. Trinta pacientes, com idade entre 20 a 50 anos, portadores de fratura fechada dos grupos B e C da classificação AO/ASIF foram selecionados. Todos eles foram submetidos à artroscopia do punho, para abordar as lesões intra-articulares e para redução e osteossíntese da fratura. Observou-se uma alta incidência de lesões intra-articulares, sendo que 76,7% deles apresentavam lesão do complexo da fibrocartilagem triangular, 36,6% do ligamento intrínseco escafo-semilunar, 6,6% do ligamento intrínseco semilunar-piramidal e 33,3% com lesão da cartilagem articular maior que três milímetros. Pacientes portadores de fraturas tipo C da classificação AO/ASIF apresentam uma incidência maior de lesões ligamentares associadas. Não houve relação entre a presença de lesão cartilaginosa e a classificação AO/ASIF das fraturas nesta casuística. / Fractures of the distal end of the radius are very frequent in our country and the most common is that of the wrist. Much research was carried out on the subject and the importance of the anatomical reduction of intra-articular fractures is well known, however the cause of unsuccessful treatment may be the association of other injuries involving soft tissues and cartilage. The purpose here was to perform an arthroscopic evaluation to analyze the incidence of ligament and chondral injuries associated to intra-articular fractures of the distal end of the radius, for correlation with the AO/ASIF classification. Thirty patients ranging from 20 to 50 years of age, bearers of closed fractures of groups B and C of the AO/ASIF classification were selected. They were submitted to wrist arthroscopy to treat the intra-articular injuries for fracture reduction and osteosynthesis. A high incidence of intraarticular injuries was noted, 76.7% of them presenting injury of the triangular fibrocartilage complex, 36.6% of the intrinsic scapholunate ligament, 6.6% of the intrinsic lunotriquetral ligament and 33.3% of an injury of the articular cartilage larger than three millimeters. Patients bearers of a type C fracture in the AO/ASIF classification present with a higher incidence of associated ligament injuries. No relation between presence of cartilage injury and AO/ASIF Classification was found in this casuistry.

Residual dysfunction after a fracture of the distal radius is most often mild but may give rise to significant impairment especially in the younger active population. The symptoms often manifest around the distal ulna when loading the hand or rotating the forearm. In this region are found articular and soft tissue connections running from the distal ulna to the distal radius as well as to the ulnar side of the carpus. The aims of this thesis were to investigate the effects of distal radius fractures on the structures about the distal ulna and to what extent malunion and ulnar soft tissue lesions affect function. Both patients and cadaver specimens were used in the five different studies. In a retrospective study of 17 malunited distal radius fractures supination impairment improved significantly by correction of the skeletal malunion. This highlights the importance of distal radioulnar joint congruity for forearm rotation in a subset of cases. The pathomechanisms of injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) were studied. In a cadaveric distal radius fracture model different restraining properties and injury patterns were investigated. Similar patterns of injury were then observed in 20 patients with a displaced distal radius fracture. It was found that a TFCC injury can be expected with dorsal displacement of the distal radius fragment of 32o or more from the anatomically correct position. The distribution of a TFCC injury apparently differs depending on the size of an associated ulnar styloid fracture. In cases of an intact ulnar styloid or a concomitant tip fracture (Type 1) the first stage of injury seems to be extensor carpi ulnaris subsheath separation from the distal ulna and the dorsal radioulnar ligament. Thereafter follows a disruption of the deep insertions into the fovea of the ulna starting from the palmar and extending dorsally and radially. An extensive injury can be detected with a novel non-invasive test called the ‘bald ulnar head test’, which is performed under anaesthesia. Diagnosis of an acute TFCC injury is difficult using non-invasive methods. In a prospective study of 48 patients, CT scanning to detect pathologic subluxation was found to be of little use in both acute and chronic cases, and is therefore not endorsed on this indication. A radioulnar stress test, which in previous studies has correlated well to a deep TFCC injury, was found to be highly reliable but not to correspond with significant disability in self-administered questionnaires of functional outcome two years or more after injury. This indicates that the subset of patients possibly benefiting from acute repair must be identified by other means.

As fraturas da extremidade distal do rádio são muito comuns em nosso meio, sendo a mais freqüente do punho. Inúmeras pesquisas já foram realizadas sobre o tema e é conhecida a importância da redução anatômica das fraturas intra-articulares; porém, a causa de insucesso no seu tratamento pode ser a associação de outras lesões, envolvendo partes moles e cartilagem. O objetivo foi realizar uma avaliação artroscópica para analisar a incidência das lesões ligamentares e condrais associadas às fraturas intraarticulares da extremidade distal do rádio, correlacionado-a com classificação AO/ASIF. Trinta pacientes, com idade entre 20 a 50 anos, portadores de fratura fechada dos grupos B e C da classificação AO/ASIF foram selecionados. Todos eles foram submetidos à artroscopia do punho, para abordar as lesões intra-articulares e para redução e osteossíntese da fratura. Observou-se uma alta incidência de lesões intra-articulares, sendo que 76,7% deles apresentavam lesão do complexo da fibrocartilagem triangular, 36,6% do ligamento intrínseco escafo-semilunar, 6,6% do ligamento intrínseco semilunar-piramidal e 33,3% com lesão da cartilagem articular maior que três milímetros. Pacientes portadores de fraturas tipo C da classificação AO/ASIF apresentam uma incidência maior de lesões ligamentares associadas. Não houve relação entre a presença de lesão cartilaginosa e a classificação AO/ASIF das fraturas nesta casuística. / Fractures of the distal end of the radius are very frequent in our country and the most common is that of the wrist. Much research was carried out on the subject and the importance of the anatomical reduction of intra-articular fractures is well known, however the cause of unsuccessful treatment may be the association of other injuries involving soft tissues and cartilage. The purpose here was to perform an arthroscopic evaluation to analyze the incidence of ligament and chondral injuries associated to intra-articular fractures of the distal end of the radius, for correlation with the AO/ASIF classification. Thirty patients ranging from 20 to 50 years of age, bearers of closed fractures of groups B and C of the AO/ASIF classification were selected. They were submitted to wrist arthroscopy to treat the intra-articular injuries for fracture reduction and osteosynthesis. A high incidence of intraarticular injuries was noted, 76.7% of them presenting injury of the triangular fibrocartilage complex, 36.6% of the intrinsic scapholunate ligament, 6.6% of the intrinsic lunotriquetral ligament and 33.3% of an injury of the articular cartilage larger than three millimeters. Patients bearers of a type C fracture in the AO/ASIF classification present with a higher incidence of associated ligament injuries. No relation between presence of cartilage injury and AO/ASIF Classification was found in this casuistry.

No description available.

<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The objective of this thesis is to identify the approaches to patient-centered care provision currently employed by clinicians and to identify patient perspectives of patient-centeredness in relation to pain and disability following distal radius fracture. This thesis includes a scoping review of patient-centered care frameworks and models, as well as a prospective cohort study.</p> <p><strong>Rationale: </strong>Patient-centered care provision has been linked with positive health outcomes, improved patient satisfaction, and reduced health costs. A uniform approach to patient-centered care in rehabilitation has yet to be developed primarily due to the breadth and scope of practice. Understanding current approaches to patient-centered care and patient perspectives on this care can serve as a foundation to future discussions on the development of a rehabilitation-specific approach to patient-centered care provision.</p> <p><strong>Data sources: </strong>Frameworks and models of patient-centered care provision were located via electronic database searches. The extracted frameworks and models were compared based on how they described strategies on achieving the three tenets of patient-centered care: communication, partnership, and health promotion. A prospective cohort study provided patient perspectives on patient-centeredness, pain, and disability following distal radius fracture at baseline and at three months post distal radius fracture in 129 patients.</p> <p><strong>Methods: </strong>Frameworks and models on patient-centered care provision were extracted from articles and placed in data summary tables for comparison and review. Information on how these frameworks and models described strategies for communication, partnership, and health promotion was collated and reviewed. The patients’ perceptions of patient-centeredness, pain, and disability were determined from responses to the Patient Perceptions of Patient-Centeredness Questionnaire and the Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation. Outcome measure responses were analyzed to measure change over time (Wilcoxon Rank Sum and T-Test analyses) and to identify relationships (Pearson correlations).</p> <p><strong>Results: </strong>The scoping review found 19 articles, from which 25 patient-centered care frameworks or models were identified. All frameworks and models reported strategies on achieving effective communication, partnership, and health promotion. The prospective cohort study revealed significant correlations between patient perspectives of patient-centeredness and pain and disability following distal radius fracture. This suggests that positive experiences with patient-centered care provision are correlated with reduction in pain and improvement in function following an acute orthopaedic injury.</p> <p><strong>Implications: </strong>Until a rehabilitation-specific approach to patient-centered care provision is developed, rehabilitation clinicians can be confident that selection of one of the currently employed frameworks or models of patient-centered care will reflect the three tenets of patient-centered care provision. Adopting one of these patient-centered approaches to care provision likely will result in positive health outcomes.</p> / Master of Science Rehabilitation Science (MSc)

No description available.

Η παρούσα διατριβή αποσκοπεί στη διερεύνηση της βέλτιστης μεθόδου θεραπείας για τα ασταθή κατάγματα κάτω πέρατος κερκίδας. Προς τούτο, μετά από μια σύντομη εισαγωγή, στο γενικό της μέρος η διατριβή παρουσιάζει στοιχεία ανατομικής και κινηματικής της πηχεοκαρπικής και της κάτω κερκιδοωλενικής. Στη συνέχεια γίνεται αναφορά στα κατάγματα του κάτω πέρατος της κερκίδος, τα προβλήματα που προκύπτουν κατά τη θεραπεία τους και το ρόλο των κυκλοτερών συστημάτων εξωτερικής οστεοσύνθεσης (Ilizarov). Στο ειδικό μέρος της διατριβής παρουσιάζεται η κλινική μελέτη που έγινε στην Ορθοπαιδική Κλινική του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών και αφορούσε σε ασθενείς με κατάγματα κάτω πέρατος κερκίδος που αντιμετωπίστηκαν με κυκλοτερές σύστημα εξωτερικής οστεοσύνθεσης. / Unstable distal radius fractures remain a challenge for the treating orthopaedic surgeon. We present a retrospective follow-up study (mean follow-up 12.5 months) of 20 patients with 21 unstable distal radius fractures that were reduced in a closed manner and stabilized with a nonbridging Ilizarov external fixator. Subsequent insertion of olive wires for interfragmentary compression was performed in cases with intra-articular fractures. According to the overall evaluation proposed by Gartland and Werley scoring system 12 wrists were classified as excellent, 6 as good, 2 as fair and 1 as poor. Grade II pin-tract infection in distal fracture fragment was detected in 3 wires from a total of 78 (3.8%) and in 4 half pins out of a total of 9 (44.4%). Pronation was the most frequently impaired movement. This was restricted in 4 patients (19%) in whom a radioulnar transfixing wire was applied. Symptoms of irritation of superficial sensory branch of the radial nerve occurred in 3 patients with an olive wire applied in a closed manner in the distal fragment. Ilizarov method yields functional results comparable to that of other methods whilst it avoids wrist immobilization, open reduction and reoperation for implant removal. The method is associated with a low rate of major complication and satisfactory functional outcome.

Παρά τον μεγάλο όγκο της βιβλιογραφίας σχετικά με τα αποτελέσματα της αντιμετώπισης των ασταθών καταγμάτων του περιφερικού άκρου της κερκίδας με κλειστή ανάταξη και ελάχιστα επεμβατική οστεοσύνθεση υπάρχουν ακόμα σημαντικά αναπάντητα ερωτήματα. Πιό συγκεκριμένα, δεν υπάρχουν επαρκή στοιχεία γιά τον ρυθμό αποκατάστασης των κλινικών παραμέτρων κατά τη διάρκεια της μετατραυματικής περιόδου, γιά το τελικό αποτέλεσμα όπως εκφράζεται από τους ασθενείς με τη χρήση κλιμάκων αυτο-αξιολόγησης, καθώς και γιά τον βαθμό επίδρασης συγκεκριμένων ακτινολογικών παραμέτρων στο τελικό λειτουργικό αποτέλεσμα. Επίσης, δεν έχει διερευνηθεί ο συσχετισμός μεταξύ της ακτινολογικής παραμέτρου της παλαμιαίας γωνίας του περιφερικού άκρου της κερκίδας και των φορτίων που αναπτύσσονται στην φυσιολογική κερκιδοκαρπική άρθρωση. Η εργασία αυτή αποτελεί μία προοπτική μελέτη ασταθών καταγμάτων του περιφερικού άκρου της κερκίδας που αντιμετωπίστηκαν με κλειστή ανάταξη και ελάχιστα επεμβατική (διαδερμική) οστεοσύνθεση. Έγινε ανάλυση ακτινολογικών και κλινικών παραμέτρων καθώς και χρησιμοποίηση κλίμακας αυτο-αξιολόγησης της δυσλειτουργίας της πηχεοκαρπικής άρθρωσης γιά συνολικό διάστημα ενός έτους μετά τον τραυματισμό. Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι ο ‘τυπικός’ ρυθμός μετατραυματικής αποκατάστασης αντιστοιχεί σε ταχεία κλινική βελτίωση κατά τη διάρκεια των τριών πρώτων μηνών ακολουθούμενη από ήπιου βαθμού δυσλειτουργία. Ωστόσο σημαντική δυσλειτουργία παραμένει σε 10% των ασθενών ένα έτος μετά τον τραυματισμό. Επίσης, τα αποτελέσματα δείχνουν σημαντικές διαφορές στο βαθμό κατά τον οποίο ο περιορισμός συγκεκριμένων αντικειμενικών κλινικών παραμέτρων αντανακλά το επίπεδο δυσλειτουργίας της πηχεοκαρπικής άρθρωσης. Ακτινολογικά, η μόνιμη απώλεια της παλαμιαίας γωνίας, η κερκιδική βράχυνση και η παρουσία ανωμαλίας της αρθρικής επιφάνειας της πηχεοκαρπικής με αρθρικό ‘βήμα’ τουλάχιστον ενός χιλιοστού σχετίζονται με επιμένοντα συμπτώματα πόνου και δυσλειτουργίας, ενώ δεν υπάρχει εμφανής συσχέτιση μεταξύ του τύπου του κατάγματος και του τελικού λειτουργικού αποτελέσματος. Επιπλέον, ανάλυση δυνάμεων της φυσιολογικής πηχεοκαρπικής άρθρωσης έδειξε φορτίσεις που μπορεί να φθάνουν έως 4,2 φορές το ανυψούμενο βάρος, αντίστροφο συσχετισμό μεταξύ της παλαμιαίας γωνίας του περιφερικού άκρου της κερκίδας και του μέγιστου φορτίου στην κερκιδοκαρπική άρθρωση καθώς και μη σημαντική διαφορά μεταξύ της γωνίας διεύθυνσης του μέγιστου φορτίου της κερκιδοκαρπικής και της παλαμιαίας γωνίας του περιφερικού άκρου της κερκίδας. / Despite the large volume of published literature on the results of management of unstable fractures of the distal radius using closed reduction and minimally invasive fixation there are still significant unanswered questions. More specifically, there is no sufficient evidence about the rate of recovery of the clinical parameters over the post-traumatic period, the final outcome as expressed by the patients using self-assessment scores and the degree that specific radiographic parameters influence the final functional outcome. Furthermore, the correlation between the radiographic parameter of volar tilt of the distal radius and the normal loads in the radiocarpal joint has not been investigated. The present thesis is a prospective study of unstable fractures of the distal radius managed with closed reduction and minimally invasive (percutaneous) fixation. Analysis of radiographic and clinical parameters as well as of patient-rated wrist dysfunction score for one year following injury was carried out. The results showed that a ‘typical’ rate of post-traumatic recovery corresponds to an initial rapid clinical improvement for the first three months followed by mild wrist dysfunction. However, significant dysfunction persists in 10% of patients one year following injury. Furthermore, the results showed significant differences in the degree to which the restriction of specific objective clinical parameters reflected the level of wrist dysfunction. Regarding the radiographic parameters, permanent loss of palmar tilt of the distal radius, radial shortening and the presence of articular incongruency with an articular ‘step off’ of at least 1 mm correlate with persisting pain and dysfunction while there is no obvious correlation between the fracture type and the final functional outcome. Moreover, force analysis in the normal wrist showed loads as high as 4.2 times the lifted weight, a reverse relationship between the angle of palmar tilt of the distal radius and the maximum radiocarpal load as well as a nonsignificant difference between the angle of the maximum radiocarpal force and the angle of palmar tilt of the distal radius.