Middle east pain syndrome is a pollution-induced new disease mimicking rheumatoid arthritis

Musculoskeletal pains are sometimes misdiagnosed in some diseases, like rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, erosive OA, etc. Secondary hyperparathyroidism was not considered a differential diagnosis for RA, despite the fact that it can cause arthralgia or arthritis. Also, fibromyalgia is a psychosomatic condition marked by widespread pain and tenderness. This study included 400 patients attended certain outpatient clinics of Rheumatology in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who were not fulfilling criteria for RA diagnosis. Criteria for classification of fibromyalgia syndrome were applied to all patients. We did lab tests and radiological imaging modalities for diagnosis or exclusion of suspected diseases were applied. All patients were fulfilling both old and new criteria of fibromyalgia syndrome, and not fulfilling any RA criteria, and had vitamin D3 deficiency or insufficiency. 75% of patients had abnormally high levels of PTH, without parathyroid gland pathology. Radiology showed subperiosteal and subchondral resorption of mainly thumbs, subchondral osteopenia of proximal and middle phalanges, mild subperiosteal resorption along the radial aspect of the middle phalanx and mild tuft erosions, besides changes in the carpus closely resembling those of rheumatoid arthritis, of ulnar styloid resorption, radiocarpal and scapho-trapezoid joint arthritis. Of special interest, the presence of tuft spur-like excrescences.

Clinical analysis of prognosis of distal radius fracture treated with internal fixation and ulnar styloid fracture

Objective:To analyze the correlation between the prognosis of distal radius fracture and ulnar styloid fracture with internal fixation.Methods:A total of 22 patients with distal radius fractures admitted to our hospital from January 2017 to December 2019 were selected and divided into a reference group (11 cases, combined) and an observation group (11 cases, not combined) according to whether the patients were complicated with ulnar styloid fractures.Case Description:All patients were treated with internal fixation. Imaging parameters of the wrist (including ulnar Angle, palmaric inclination, radial styloid height, etc.) and range of motion of the wrist were observed before and after the last follow-up of the two groups.Results:Patients in both groups were followed up for 6 to 12 months, and there was no statistical significance in imaging parameters, range of wrist motion and other indexes of postoperative and last follow-up between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion:Ulnar styloid fracture has no significant effect on functional recovery in patients with distal radius fracture treated by fixation.

Arthroscopic Anatomy of the TFCC with Relevance to Function and Pathology

Introduction The authors present a new comprehensive arthroscopic anatomical description of the fibrocartilage complex “TFCC” which is related to the current TFCC functional and pathological knowledge. Methods Our description of the TFCC is based on an arthroscopic view from the 3-4 portal as observed in more than 100 wrist arthroscopies in fresh cadavers and more than 1000 diagnostic and/or therapeutic wrist arthroscopies. Results TFCC is considered as a 3-D-3-part box-like structure (Reins, Wall and Disc). The first TFCC component (“R”) corresponds to 2 strong radio-ulnar ligamentous Reins, one dorsal (DRUL) and one palmar (PRUL). This “V-shaped” RUL reins diverge from the fovea and ulnar styloid to the volar and dorsal edges of the sigmoid notch. It is a main stabilizer of the DRUJ. The second TFCC component (“W”) is a continuous, radially concave Peripheral Capsular Wall attached and perpendicular to the RUL reins. It surrounds the ulnar aspect of the ulno-carpal interval while attaching to the RUL reins proximally and to the medial carpus distally. Along with the radiocarpal ligaments, the TFCC peripheral capsular wall contributes to the stability of the carpus with respect to the radius-ulna entity. This is especially true for the thick volar TFCC capsular wall. The third TFCC component (“D”) is the disc proper which is a static and dynamic shock absorber intercalated between the ulnar head and the medial proximal row in the coronal/sagittal planes and between the two strands of the RUL in the axial plane. Its pathology is influenced and related to the ulnar variance. Discussion This new arthroscopic description of the TFCC provides a comprehensive anatomical, functional ant pathological background for TFCC disorders analysis and treatment. Currently known disorders are included as “R 1,2,3,4”, “W 1, 2, 3, 4”, and “D 1, 2”. Combined TFCC disorders and further new pathology descriptions may be included in this open classification.

Treatment with Buttress Plate Technique for Symptomatic Ulnar Styloid Base Nonunion

Background Surgical treatment options for symptomatic ulnar styloid base nonunion can be divided into two groups: styloid excision and styloid fixation methods. Styloid fixation is commonly performed using tension band wiring or distal ulna hook plate. However, these methods are more suitable for large styloids than small ones. For this reason, fixation of small styloids still remains a problem. Purpose To present the surgical details and results of patients operated using the buttress plate technique, due to the symptomatic ulnar styloid base nonunion. Patients and Methods In this study, 11 patients who underwent surgery for symptomatic ulnar styloid base nonunion using buttress plate technique were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were evaluated with the help of forearm and wrist range of motion, grip strength, disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score and visual analogue pain score. Results The mean follow-up period was 15 months (range: 13–21 months). Union was achieved in 10 patients. At the final follow-up, the forearm supination and pronation active range of motions were significantly higher than those in the preoperative period, the visual analogue pain score mean value was 0.7 (range: 0–5), and the DASH score mean value was 7 (range: 1–32). Conclusion We conclude that good results can be achieved with the buttress plate technique in patients with both large and small fragmented ulnar styloid base nonunions and no distal radioulnar joint instability. Level of Evidence This is a Level IV, therapeutic study.

Isolated Volar Distal Radioulnar Joint Dislocation, a Very Rare and Easily Missed Injury.

Background: Isolated distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) dislocations without associated fracture are very rare entities. A few mechanisms of injury were reported in the literature with dorsal(posterior) dislocation being more common than the volar (palmar, anterior) dislocation. Case report: A 26-year-old male, manual laborer presented to our emergency department (ED) 24 hours post-self-inflected injury with right wrist pain, deformity, and decreased range of motion (ROM). The physical examination showed bruising over the dorsal ulnar side of the wrist, loss of the ulnar styloid bony prominence, abnormal volar fullness of the wrist, and gutter deformity on the dorsal aspect of the distal forearm and wrist. The diagnosis was confirmed by comparative radiographs which were followed by closed reduction and immobilization in the below-elbow cast in pronation for 4 weeks. Conclusion: Timely accurate diagnosis and conservative treatment with favorable outcome necessitate a proper history on the mechanism of injury with a thorough physical examination, accurate radiographic positioning, and true lateral view.