MyMedR

High incidence and treatment of flexor carpi radialis tendinitis after trapeziectomy and abductor pollicis longus suspensionplasty for basal joint arthritis

Low TH, Hales PF

J Hand Surg Eur Vol, 2014 Oct;39(8):838-44.

PMID: 24051478 DOI: 10.1177/1753193413506150

We reviewed the incidence and treatment of flexor carpi radialis tendinitis in 77 patients (81 thumbs) who had trapeziectomy and abductor pollicis longus suspensionplasty for thumb carpometacarpal joint arthritis. Eighteen patients, 20 wrists (25%) had flexor carpi radialis tendinitis. The onset was 2-10 months (mean 4.7) after surgery. Two cases had preceding trauma. Eight cases (40%) responded to splinting and steroid injection. Ten patients, 12 wrists (60%) underwent surgery after failing non-operative treatment. Eleven wrists had frayed or partially torn flexor carpi radialis tendon and one had a complete tendon rupture with pseudotendon formation. Flexor carpi radialis tenotomy and pseudotendon excision were performed. All operated patients obtained good pain relief initially post-operatively. However, the pain recurred in two patients after 8 months. One required a local steroid injection for localized tenderness at the site of the proximal tendon stump. The other patient required a revision operation for scaphotrapezoid impingement. Both obtained complete pain relief. Our study has shown a high incidence of flexor carpi radialis tendinitis following trapeziectomy and abductor pollicis longus suspensionplasty. Patients should be warned about this potential complication.

Study a collaboration between Malaysia and Australia

Simplifying four-strand flexor tendon repair using double-stranded suture: a comparative ex vivo study on tensile strength and bulking

Low TH, Ahmad TS, Ng ES

J Hand Surg Eur Vol, 2012 Feb;37(2):101-8.

PMID: 21636621 DOI: 10.1177/1753193411409840

We have compared a simple four-strand flexor tendon repair, the single cross-stitch locked repair using a double-stranded suture (dsSCL) against two other four-strand repairs: the Pennington modified Kessler with double-stranded suture (dsPMK); and the cruciate cross-stitch locked repair with single-stranded suture (Modified Sandow). Thirty fresh frozen cadaveric flexor digitorum profundus tendons were transected and repaired with one of the core repair techniques using identical suture material and reinforced with identical peripheral sutures. Bulking at the repair site and tendon-suture junctions was measured. The tendons were subjected to linear load-to-failure testing. Results showed no significant difference in ultimate tensile strength between the Modified Sandow (36.8 N) and dsSCL (32.6 N) whereas the dsPMK was significantly weaker (26.8 N). There were no significant differences in 2 mm gap force, stiffness or bulk between the three repairs. We concluded that the simpler dsSCL repair is comparable to the modified Sandow repair in tensile strength, stiffness and bulking.

Minimally invasive retrieval of incarcerated flexible intramedullary reamer

Low TH, Loke YH, Chiu CK

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol, 2012 Nov;22 Suppl 1:113-5.

PMID: 26662760 DOI: 10.1007/s00590-012-0995-y

Reaming is an integral step of long bone nailing and is associated with low complication rate. We report a case of a flexible reamer that was broken and incarcerated in the femoral canal during a femoral canal reaming. The reamer was used without a ball-tipped guide wire, and thus, the routine extraction using the guide wire was not possible. The incarcerated reamer was successfully extracted after medullary decompression with small drilling corticotomies adjacent to the reamer head. This case report serves as a reminder of the importance of using the ball-tipped guide wire with a flexible reamer. It also describes a simple and minimally invasive technique of removing an incarcerated flexible reamer.

Multinodular/plexiform schwannoma of the ulnar nerve

Lim CY, Low TH, Sivanoli R, Teh KK, Thuraisingham R

ANZ J Surg, 2014 Jan-Feb;84(1-2):93-4.

PMID: 24165375 DOI: 10.1111/ans.12231

The Linburg-Comstock anomaly: incidence in Malaysians and effect on pinch strength

Low TH, Faruk Senan NA, Ahmad TS

J Hand Surg Am, 2012 May;37(5):930-2.

PMID: 22386556 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.01.020

To obtain epidemiologic data on the Linburg-Comstock anomaly in Malaysia and to study the effect of the anomaly on key pinch strength.

Fulltext Stonefish envenomation of hand with impending compartment syndrome

Tay TK, Chan HZ, Ahmad TS, Teh KK, Low TH, Wahab NA

J Occup Med Toxicol, 2016;11:23.

PMID: 27168760 DOI: 10.1186/s12995-016-0112-y

BACKGROUND: Marine stings and envenomation are fairly common in Malaysia. Possible contact to various marine life occurs during diving, fishing and food handling. Even though majority of fish stings are benign, there are several venomous species such as puffer fish, scorpion fish, lionfish, stingray and stonefish that require urgent medical treatment. Stonefish is one of the most venomous fish in the world with potential fatal local and systemic toxicity effects to human.

CASE PRESENTATION: We reported a case of stonefish sting complicated with impending compartment syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS: Medical staff should be alert about the possibility of this potential emergency in standard management of stonefish stings.

Fulltext The efficacy and safety of intramuscular injections of methylcobalamin in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a randomised controlled trial

Chiu CK, Low TH, Tey YS, Singh VA, Shong HK

Singapore Med J, 2011 Dec;52(12):868-73.

PMID: 22159928

INTRODUCTION: Chronic, nonspecific low back pain is a difficult ailment to treat and poses an economic burden in terms of medical expenses and productivity loss. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of intramuscular metylcobalamin in the treatment of chronic nonspecific low back pain.
METHODS: This was a double-blinded, randomised, controlled experimental study. 60 patients were assigned to either the methylcobalamin group or the placebo group. The former received intramuscular injections of 500 mcg parenteral methylcobalamin in 1 ml solution three times a week for two weeks, and the placebo group received 1 ml normal saline. Patients were assessed with Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire Version 2.0 and Visual Analogue Scale pain score. They were scored before commencement of the injections and at two months interval.
RESULTS: Of the 60 patients, 27 received the placebo injections and 33 were given methylcobalamin injections. A total of 58 patients were available for review at two months (placebo: n is 26; methylcobalamin: n is 32). There was a significant improvement in the Oswestry Disability Index and Visual Analogue Scale pain scores in the methylcobalamin group as compared with the placebo group (p-value less than 0.05). Only minor adverse reactions such as pain and haematoma at the injection sites were reported by some patients.
CONCLUSION: Intramuscular methylcobalamin is both an effective and safe method of treatment for patients with nonspecific low back pain, both singly or in combination with other forms of treatment.
Study site: Orthopaedic Clinic, Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Fulltext Flexor tendon degeneration affects short-term outcomes of open trigger digit release

Abdul Nasir M, Ahmad TS, Low TH, Devarajooh C, Gunasagaran J

PLoS One, 2023;18(5):e0286301.

PMID: 37252923 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286301

We aimed to investigate the association between flexor tendon degeneration and outcome of open trigger digit release. We recruited 162 trigger digits (136 patients) who had open trigger digit release from February 2017 to March 2019. Intraoperatively, six features of tendon degenerations were identified: irregular tendon surface, tendon fraying, intertendinous tear, synovial thickening, hyperaemia of sheath and tendon dryness. Longer duration of preoperative symptoms was associated with worsening tendon surface irregularity and fraying; increased number of steroid injections was associated with worsening tendon surface irregularity and dryness; higher DASH score was associated with severe tendon fraying, dryness and intertendinous tear; limited proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) motion was associated with severe tendon dryness. At 1-month post-surgery, DASH score remained high in severe intertendinous tear group while PIPJ motion remained limited in severe tendon dryness group. In conclusion, the severity of various flexor tendon degenerations influenced the outcome of open trigger digit release at 1-month but did not affect the outcome at 3- and 6-months post-surgery.

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