Release Of Flexor Retinaculum Research Articles

Release of retromalleolar flexor retinaculum and combined flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus Z-plasty in checkrein deformity: a case report

BackgroundCheckrein deformity is a rare abnormality comprising flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon entrapment in the posterior foot due to post-traumatic or ischemic retraction of the FHLtendon following soft tissue trauma. The diagnosis is essentially clinical, but complemented by imaging to rule out unrecognized causes and evaluate the fracture healing process. This case report is the first Indonesian study to describe release of the flexor retinaculum and Z-plasty (lengthening) of flexor digitorum longus (FDL) and FHL tendons through a medial retromalleolar approach to repair the deformity. Case DescriptionWe present the case of a 51-year-old male who complained of clawing of his right first and second toes. The interest of this study lies in the fact that this patient had never experienced ankle or distal tibial fractures, only a trivial injury two years back when the patient kicked a stone at work and had a bruise on his right second toe with no fracture. Exploration of FHL tendons was performed at the level of the midfoot. The patient was planned for surgery with a medial retromalleolar ankle approach, which facilitates the release of the flexor retinaculum, in conjunction with a Z-tenotomy on the FHL and FDL tendons. ConclusionA correction was achieved, and two months post-surgery there were no recurrences of the deformity. However, this surgical procedure requires more cases to support an evaluation of its effectiveness. We suggest that exploration at the ankle and midfoot should be the primary surgical intervention in similar cases of checkrein deformity.

Ultrasound-Guided Interventions for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral entrapment, and recently, ultrasound-guided perineural injection (UPIT) and percutaneous flexor retinaculum release (UPCTR) have been utilized to treat CTS. However, no systematic review or meta-analysis has included both intervention types of ultrasound-guided interventions for CTS. Therefore, we performed this review using four databases (i.e., PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane) to evaluate the quality of evidence, effectiveness, and safety of the published studies on ultrasound-guided interventions in CTS. Among sixty studies selected for systemic review, 20 randomized treatment comparison or controlled studies were included in six meta-analyses. Steroid UPIT with ultrasound guidance outperformed that with landmark guidance. UPIT with higher-dose steroids outperformed that with lower-dose steroids. UPIT with 5% dextrose in water (D5W) outperformed control injection and hydrodissection with high-volume D5W was superior to that with low-volume D5W. UPIT with platelet-rich plasma outperformed various control treatments. UPCTR outperformed open surgery in terms of symptom improvement but not functional improvement. No serious adverse events were reported in the studies reviewed. The findings suggest that both UPIT and UPCTR may provide clinically important benefits and appear safe. Further treatment comparison studies are required to determine comparative therapeutic efficacy.

Novel Endoscopic Approach for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Functional Outcomes - A Prospective Study

Abstract Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a common entrapment neuropathy, can cause debilitating symptoms affecting hand function and sleep. While conservative treatments are initially attempted, surgical intervention becomes necessary for severe cases. The study introduces endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) as a minimally invasive alternative to open procedures to enhance patient outcomes. Methods: A prospective study from January 2019 to January 2022 investigated arthroscope-assisted carpal tunnel release for CTS. Patients with chronic medical conditions were excluded. The surgical procedure involved local anesthesia, a 1.5 cm incision, flexor retinaculum release under arthroscopic guidance, and postoperative care. Outcomes were assessed using the Global Symptom Scoring Scale (GSS). Results: The affected population (n = 60) had a mean age of 47.58 years, with 42 females and 18 males. Common symptoms included numbness (43.3%), paresthesia (35%), and weakness (13%). Most patients (67.1%) had no comorbidities. Complications were minimal (5.0% paresthesia, 1.7% scar tenderness, and 3.3% infection). The mean preoperative GSS was 38.57, reducing significantly (P < 0.001) to 4.6 at 12 months’ follow-up. Conclusion: The study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of ECTR as a minimally invasive alternative for severe cases of CTS. With a low rate of complications and significant improvement in symptoms, including numbness, paresthesia, weakness, and surgeon expertise remains vital for successful outcomes.

Medial Soft-Tissue Release for Lateralising Calcaneal Osteotomy: A Cadaveric Study.

Lateralising calcaneal osteotomy for pes cavus is generally regarded to be harder to shift than a medialising calcaneal osteotomy for pes planus. The aim of our study was to determine the structures which restrain a lateral shift. Lateralising calcaneal osteotomy was performed on four soft-embalmed cadavers via a standard lateral approach and the lateral calcaneal shift was measured before and after the release of flexor retinaculum. Further exploratory dissection around the osteotomy site revealed the abductor hallucis muscle to be the main restraint to the lateral shift of the calcaneus. Subsequently, lateralising calcaneal osteotomy was performed on another four cadavers and the abductor hallucis muscle fascia as well as the plantar fascia was released. The lateral shift was measured before and after the fascia release, and compared with the results achieved following the flexor retinaculum release in the first four cadavers. Lateralising calcaneal osteotomy alone resulted in an average of 4.5-mm lateral shift in the first four cadaveric specimens. Releasing the flexor retinaculum led to a further 3-mm increase of lateral shift on average. In the next four cadaveric specimens, lateralising calcaneal osteotomy alone resulted in an average of 5.5-mm lateral shift. Release of abductor hallucis muscle fascia and the plantar fascia in these four specimens increased the lateral shift by an additional 7mm on average. Hence, release of abductor hallucis muscle fascia resulted in an extra 4-mm shift on average compared with what is achieved with flexor retinaculum release. Abductor hallucis muscle fascia was discovered to be one of the main structures limiting the lateral shift in lateralising calcaneal osteotomy. Release of fascia over this muscle as well as the plantar fascia should help in improving lateral shift. Further experimental and clinical research is necessary to confirm the findings of this pilot study.

Ultrasound-guided decompression surgery of the tarsal tunnel: a novel technique for the proximal tarsal tunnel syndrome\u2014Part II

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to provide a safe ultrasound-guided minimally invasive surgical approach for a proximal tarsal tunnel release concerning nerve entrapments.Methods and resultsThe study was carried out on ten fresh-frozen feet. All of them were examined by high resolution ultrasound at the medial ankle region. The surgical approach was marked throughout the course of the flexor retinaculum (laciniate ligament). Once the previous steps were done, the flexor retinaculum release technique was carried out with a 2-mm entry only. As a result, an effective and safe release of the flexor retinaculum was obtained in all fresh-frozen feet.ConclusionThe results of our anatomic study indicate that our novel ultrasound-guided minimally invasive surgical approach for the release of the flexor retinaculum might be an effective, safe and quick decompression technique treating selected patients with a proximal tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome: evaluation of its provocative clinical tests

BackgroundThe diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is established mainly on a clinical basis, and diagnosis is done after careful history taking and examination including known provocative tests with varying efficacy and reliability.MethodsA prospective clinical study of 123 patients with 171 hands presenting with classical symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome were included in this study, from October 2013 to October 2015, and they underwent open surgical release of flexor retinaculum at the Neurosurgery Department of Benha University Hospital.ResultsART is positive in 88.3%. This is compared to 75, 81.3, 79.7, and 83.6% of positive results in Tinel’s test, compression test, Phalen’s test, and combined Phalen’s and compression test. ART is the most sensitive and specific test and has the highest positive predictive value of 98.3%, negative predictive value of 81.9%, and accuracy of 91.4%.ConclusionART is a simple, reliable, and easily performed test for evaluating carpal tunnel syndrome; it is superior to other tests and could be used also to assess improvement after surgery.

Medial Soft-tissue Release for a Lateralising Calcaneal Osteotomy

Category: Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: Lateralising calcaneal osteotomy (LCO) for pes cavus is generally regarded to be harder to shift than a medialising calcaneal osteotomy for pes planus. Whilst this may be due to tight tissues as in pes cavus, no attempt has been made to define a particular structure that could limit the lateral shift in a LCO. Some surgeons recommend releasing the flexor retinaculum routinely with a LCO to avoid a tarsal tunnel syndrome, suggesting that perhaps it is the flexor retinaculum that is the main restrictor to the lateral shift in a LCO. The purpose of our study was to define the structures that restrain the lateral shift in a calcaneal osteotomy in a cadaveric study. Methods: Calcaneal osteotomies were carried out by a single orthopaedic surgeon on 10 embalmed, below-knee cadavers. LCOs were performed using standard lateral approach and the lateral calcaneal shift was measured before and after the release of flexor retinaculum in 4 cadavers. Further exploratory dissection around the osteotomy site, however, revealed that abductor hallucis muscle must be the main restraint to the lateral shift of the calcaneus. Subsequently, LCO was performed on another 6 cadavers and the abductor hallucis muscle fascia as well as the plantar fascia was released. The lateral shift was measured before and after the fascia releases, and compared with those of the flexor retinaculum release. Results: The average shift with a LCO by itself in the first 4 cadavers was similar to the last 6 (4.5 mm and 5.5 mm respectively). Releasing the flexor retinaculum created a further 3 mm lateral shift on average; however, release of abductor hallucis muscle fascia and the plantar fascia increased lateral shift by an additional 7 mm on average; which is an extra 4 mm shift on average compared with those of flexor retinaculum release. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the abductor hallucis muscle along with the plantar fascia is one of the main structures limiting the lateral shift in LCO, and release of fascia over this muscle as well as the plantar fascia should be an essential part of the lateralizing calcaneal osteotomy.

Changes in carpal tunnel compliance with incremental flexor retinaculum release.

BackgroundFlexor retinaculum transection is a routine surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, yet the biomechanical and clinical sequelae of the procedure remain unclear. We investigated the effects of flexor retinaculum release on carpal tunnel structural compliance using cadaveric hands.MethodsThe flexor retinaculum was incrementally and sequentially released with transections of 25, 50, 75, and 100 % of the transverse carpal ligament, followed by the distal aponeurosis and then the antebrachial fascia. Paired outward 10 N forces were applied to the insertion sites of the transverse carpal ligament at the distal (hamate-trapezium) and proximal (pisiform-scaphoid) levels of the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel compliance was defined as the change in carpal arch width normalized to the constant 10 N force.ResultsWith the flexor retinaculum intact, carpal tunnel compliance at the proximal level, 0.696 ± 0.128 mm/N, was 13.6 times greater than that at the distal level, 0.056 ± 0.020 mm/N. Complete release of the transverse carpal ligament was required to achieve a significant gain in compliance at the distal level (p < 0.05). Subsequent release of the distal aponeurosis resulted in an appreciable additional increase in compliance (43.0 %, p = 0.052) at the distal level, but a minimal increase (1.7 %, p = 0.987) at the proximal level. Complete flexor retinaculum release provided a significant gain in compliance relative to transverse carpal ligament release alone at both proximal and distal levels (p < 0.05).ConclusionsOverall, complete flexor retinaculum release increased proximal compliance by 52 % and distal compliance by 332 %. The increase in carpal tunnel compliance with complete flexor retinaculum release helps explain the benefit of carpal tunnel release surgery for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided MANOS Carpal Tunnel Release Technique

Ultrasound (US) is used with a minimally invasive cutting device to perform carpal tunnel release with a 3mm wrist incision. US localizes tendons, arteries, and median nerve for safe introduction of the device into the wrist. The device is inserted in a blunt configuration under the flexor retinaculum, and a cutting wire is deployed that advances a 0.9-mm needle in the palm. The surgeon releases the flexor retinaculum from the inside out through the two skin punctures. Flexor retinaculum release is confirmed with US.

Modified Tenoscopic Method for Carpal Flexor Retinaculum Release in a Horse

To report the use of a proximolateral endoscopic portal with a distolateral instrument portal for carpal retinaculum release in a horse clinically affected with carpal canal syndrome. Clinical report. A 4-year-old Thoroughbred female. Carpal canal syndrome secondary to traumatic suppurative tenosynovitis was treated by accessory carpal bone debridement and carpal retinaculum release using a tenoscopic approach to the carpal flexor synovial sheath through a proximolateral endoscope portal and a distolateral instrument portal. Resolution of carpal sheath effusion and lameness occurred allowing racing 14 months later. Use of a distolateral instrument portal was not associated with complications or iatrogenic damage to neurovascular structures and reduced endoscope and instrument interference and offered easier access to the distal aspect of the carpal sheath. Carpal retinaculum release may be safely accomplished with a distolateral instrument portal when access to the distal aspect of the carpal sheath is needed. The distolateral instrument portal described may be a useful alternative to a proximolateral portal when distal carpal sheath instrument access is necessary or advantageous.

Relative Longitudinal Motion of the Finger Flexors, Subsynovial Connective Tissue, and Median Nerve Before and After Carpal Tunnel Release in a Human Cadaver Model

The normal gliding environment in the carpal tunnel is complex. The median nerve and flexor tendons are surrounded by a multilayered subsynovial tissue. To date, observations of the relative motions of the flexor tendon, median nerve and multilayered subsynovial tissue have been through a surgically released open carpal tunnel. The purpose of this study was to compare the motions of these tissues in an intact and open carpal tunnel. We measured the relative motion of the middle finger flexor digitorum superficialis tendon, its surrounding subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT) and the median nerve in 8 human cadavers. The flexor retinaculum was used as a fixed reference point. The motions were compared for simulated isolated middle finger and simulated fist motion as measured fluoroscopically in the closed carpal tunnel and directly in the open carpal tunnel. While the simulated isolated finger motion produced significantly less SSCT and median nerve motion (p<.05), there was no difference in flexor digitorum superficialis, SSCT, or nerve motion when comparing the fluoroscopic measurements in the closed carpal tunnel with the direct visual measurements in the open carpal tunnel. Relative motion of the flexor tendons, SSCT, and median nerve within the carpal tunnel follows a certain pattern, which may indicate the physiological state of the SSCT. This relative motion pattern was not affected by flexor retinaculum release.

FAILED ENDOSCOPIC CARPAL TUNNEL RELEASE. OPERATIVE FINDINGS AND RESULTS OF OPEN REVISION SURGERY

From 1994 to 1997, 22 patients (24 wrists) underwent open revision carpal tunnel release for persistent carpal tunnel syndrome after a primary endoscopic release. The age range was from 21 to 77 years. At the time of revision surgery, 22 wrists had an incomplete release of the flexor retinaculum and two patients had median nerve transection (one partial and one complete). One patient had release of Guyon’s canal and not the carpal tunnel. After the open revision carpal tunnel release, 20 patients returned to work with five patients returning to jobs of lighter duty. In addition, these 20 patients had significant improvement in symptoms. The remaining two patients had sustained a median nerve injury and did not return to work. One of these patients developed a painful neuroma in continuity of the median nerve which required vein wrapping with a saphenous vein graft. This study indicates that endoscopic release of the flexor retinaculum holds the same risks and complications as open release. Based on our study we believe that patients with persistent carpal tunnel syndrome after failed endoscopic flexor retinaculum release can be successfully treated with open release.