Preliminary results of surgical treatment of flexion-adduction contracture of the first ray of the hand in combination with dislocation in the metacarpophalangeal joint in patients with infantile cerebral palsy

Background. Surgical methods of treating flexionadduction contracture of the first ray of the hand in combination with dislocation in the metacarpophalangeal joint in patients with infantile cerebral palsy are divided into surgical interventions on soft tissues and bone surgeries aimed at stabilizing the metacarpophalangeal joint. We have developed a technique of temporary arthrodesis of the metacarpophalangeal joint in combination with the previously used operation to widen the first intercarpal space, combining the positive effects of both groups of operations: stability of arthrodesis with an installed metal structure that enable active movements in the joint in sufficient amplitude after its removal and early postoperative rehabilitation with a stabilized joint. Aim. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a new method of surgical correction of flexionadduction contracture of the first ray of the hand in combination with metacarpophalangeal joint dislocation in the form of temporary arthrodesis of this joint and widening of the intermetacarpal space in patients with cerebral palsy. Materials and methods. The study analyzed treatment outcomes of patients (n = 11) who underwent temporary arthrodesis of the metacarpophalangeal joint with an extra-bone plate for a period of 1 year and expansion of the first intermetacarpal space. Comparative analysis of the results was carried out 6 months after the operation, 1 year after the operation, and after hardware removal. The amplitude of passive and active movements in the metacarpophalangeal joint was analyzed. The functionality of the upper limb was assessed according to the international classification system MACS 2002 and the block and box test. Results. At 1 year after surgery and removal of the fixation structure, the amplitude of both passive abduction (32.0) and extension (9.5) in the metacarpophalangeal joint increased, and the amplitude of the same movements (leads) increased by 25.5 in abduction and by 4.0 in extension when performed actively. The MACS indicator improved by 1 point. The average dynamics of the block and box test was seven additional cubes. Conclusion. The proposed technique for temporary extra-articular arthrodesis of the metacarpophalangeal joint does not affect the intra-articular structures, unlike intra-articular arthrodesis, and therefore has clear advantages over the latter. This surgical treatment method is effective in increasing the amplitude of active and passive movements of the first ray of the hand and reduces muscle imbalance, which ultimately improves the function of the upper limb as a whole.

Surgical treatment outcome of wrist flexion contracture in children with cerebral palsy through temporary extra-articular arthrodesis

Background. The surgical approaches adopted for the treatment of wrist flexion contracture can be categorized into soft tissue intervention (such as lengthening or transplantation of tendons) and bone operations that stabilize the wrist joint. We developed a technique for temporary arthrodesis of the wrist joint to combine the main advantages of both the approaches, that is, the stability of arthrodesis by the installed metal construction and the possibility of active movements in the wrist joint after removal of the structure. Aim. To compare the effectiveness of a new method of surgical treatment of wrist flexion contracture in children with cerebral palsy, such as temporary extra-articular arthrodesis and transplantation of the hand flexors to the extensors, according to Green. Materials and methods. We conducted a comparative analysis of the treatment outcomes between the following 2 groups of patients: group 1 (n = 13) patients underwent a tendon transplantation of m. flexor carpi ulnaris on m. extensor carpi radialis brevis/longus (Green operation), while group 2 (n = 13) patients underwent temporary arthrodesis of the wrist joint with a bone plate for a period of 1 year. The patients in group 2, after the removal of metal structures, underwent a 14-day course of rehabilitation before evaluation of their treatment outcomes. A comparative analysis of the treatment results between the groups 1 and 2 was performed 1 year after arthrodesis and plate removal and at 1 year after muscle transplantation. The range of active and passive movements in the wrist joint was analyzed throughout. In addition, the functionality of the upper limb was assessed with reference to the international classification system of MACS 2002 and the Block and Box test. Results. In the group 1 patients, an increase in the passive range of motion (+9.7) was noted. In both the groups, a significant increase was recorded in the amplitude of active movements (31.9 in group 1 and 45.7 in group 2). The upper limb functionality index MACS, on evaluating the condition of the arm as a whole, appeared to be almost identical in both the groups. In the group 1 patients, the average dynamics of the Block and Box test as a result of treatment was 8 additional cubes, while it was only 1.6 in the group 2 patients. Conclusion. The Green operation was less effective in comparison with the operation of temporary arthrodesis as a method of correcting the flexion contracture of the wrist joint. However, the functional performance of the Green operation was higher. The choice of the optimal surgical treatment technique can be determined as follows. In children with a high functional perspective, the Green operation is preferred. However, in children with doubtful functional prospects where the correction of severe contracture is the main aim, temporary arthrodesis may be preferable.