Category Archives: Orthopedics

PUBLISHED: Lateral Epicondylitis Debridement

Lateral Epicondylitis Debridement
Keenan R. Sobol, BS¹; Asif M. Ilyas, MD, MBA, FACS¹²
¹Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
²Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University

Lateral epicondylitis (LE), commonly referred to as “tennis elbow,” is a common condition of the extensor tendons of the forearm that can lead to pain along the lateral epicondyle with radiation into the forearm, decreased grip strength, and difficulty lifting objects. When LE symptoms progress and can no longer be managed with non-operative measures, LE debridement may be indicated.

The approach presented here is an open debridement of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon origin. A 3–4-cm longitudinal incision was placed longitudinally over the lateral epicondyle, radial head, and capitellum. The ECRB was exposed then debrided, the lateral epicondyle was decorticated, the lateral collateral ligament was repaired, the wound was closed in layers, and a soft dressing and splint were placed.

PUBLISHED: Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty

Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty
Jeffrey S. Zarin, MD; Gustavo Barrazueta, MD
Tufts Medical Center

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been around for decades and serves as a very successful procedure to alleviate pain and restore function in a knee with advanced degenerative joint disease. Over the years, there have been many advancements in surgical technique and even more so in implant design. One such technological breakthrough in TKA is the use of robotic-arm assistance for enhanced preoperative planning and intraoperative guidance with dynamic joint balancing and bone preparation.

In this video article, Dr. Zarin demonstrates the operative technique he uses in performing a posterior stabilizing TKA in a varus deformity degenerative knee using Mako robotic-arm assistance.

PUBLISHED: Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of a Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of a Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture
Michael J. Weaver, MD
Brigham and Women’s Hospital

The goal of ankle fracture management is to restore a stable and congruent joint. Operative management is recommended for most displaced fractures, fractures with dislocations, and open fractures.

This video article walks through the surgical management of a 23-year-old male who sustained a trimalleolar ankle fracture with concomitant dislocation and syndesmotic injury following a motor vehicle collision. Dr. Weaver discusses the surgical landmarks and approaches to the ankle, the methods of fixing the malleoli and the syndesmosis, and common concerns that arise during the surgical management of ankle fractures.

PUBLISHED: De Quervain’s Release (Cadaver)

 

De Quervain’s Release (Cadaver)

Asif M. Ilyas, MD, FACS
Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University

Irene Kalbianr
Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University

De Quervain’s release is a surgical procedure performed to curatively treat stenosing extensor tenosynovitis of the first extensor compartment of the wrist after nonoperative management fails. This procedure involves surgical release of the first dorsal compartment with care taken to fully release the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendons from their respective sheaths, while protecting the radial sensory nerve, in order to decompress the extensor tendons. This video outlines the operative technique used by Dr. Asif Ilyas at the Rothman Institute for performing a De Quervain’s release on a cadaveric wrist.

 

PUBLISHED: Flexor Tendon Repair for a Zone 2 FDP Tendon Laceration

 

Flexor Tendon Repair for a Zone 2 FDP Tendon Laceration

Asif M. Ilyas, MD, FACS
Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University

Chaim Miller
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

In this case, Dr. Asif Ilyas at the Rothman Institute presents a zone 2 flexor tendon repair with a 4-0 Ethibond suture with a modified Kessler stitch that resulted in an 8-core strand repair. The procedure was done under wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) protocol, which among other strengths allows the surgeon to test the repair and set postrehabilitation expectations for the patient.

 

PUBLISHED: Scaphoid Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Through Dorsal Approach

Scaphoid Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Through Dorsal Approach

M. Grant Liska, BS
University of Central Florida College of Medicine

Asif M. Ilyas, MD, MBA, FACS
Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University

Dr. Asif Ilyas at the Rothman Institute presents the case of a proximal pole scaphoid fracture repaired with ORIF via a dorsal approach. After dissection through the joint capsule and exposure of the base of the scaphoid, a headless compression screw is placed anterograde in line with the thumb in all planes. This procedure provides increased stability and improved rate of the union in correlation with the accuracy of intraoperative reduction, leading to improved outcomes for surgical candidates over more conservative approaches.

PUBLISHED: Distal Radius Open Reduction and Internal Fixation

Distal Radius Open Reduction and Internal Fixation

Bradley Richey, MSc
Rothman Institute

Asif M. Ilyas, MD, MBA, FACS
Rothman Institute

In this case, Dr. Asif Ilyas at the Rothman Institute presents the case of an adult female presenting with a dorsally displaced and angulated fracture of the distal radius after a fall on the outstretched hand. The fracture was treated by open reduction and internal fixation with a volar locking plate, and the natural history, preoperative care, intraoperative technique, and postoperative considerations of distal radial fractures are outlined.

PUBlished: Trigger Finger Release (Cadaver)

Trigger Finger Release (Cadaver)
Rothman Institute

Asif Ilyas, MD, FACS
Orthopaedic Surgeon

Vivian Xu

Stenosing flexor tenosynovitis of the digital flexor tendon sheath, also known as trigger finger, occurs when there is a size mismatch between the flexor tendon and the surrounding retinacular pulley system at the first annular (A1) pulley. When the flexor tendon thickens or becomes inflamed, its ability to properly glide through the flexor tendon sheath becomes impaired. Thus, the tendon catches as the finger is flexed and extended. Conservative management includes activity modification, splinting, short-term NSAIDs, corticosteroid injection, and other adjuvant therapies. In this video, Dr. Asif Ilyas at the Rothman Institute demonstrates a surgical approach to the treatment of trigger finger via the open A1 pulley release procedure on a cadaver.

PUBLISHED: Subcutaneous Ulnar Nerve Transposition

Subcutaneous Ulnar Nerve Transposition
Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University

Jasmine Phun
Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Asif M. Ilyas, MD, MBA, FACS
Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University

In this case, Dr. Ilyas at the Rothman Institute performs a subcutaneous anterior transposition on a patient with cubital tunnel syndrome. The patient’s ulnar nerve subluxed upon elbow flexion and extension upon physical examination, which was a primary indication for choosing this surgical approach over other techniques.

This procedure not only decompresses the affected nerve but also transposes the nerve anterior to the medial epicondyle so as to relieve strain on the nerve upon the full range of motion of the elbow.

PUBLISHED: Jersey Finger Repair

Jersey Finger Repair
Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University

Rachel M. Drummey, MSc
University of Central Florida College of Medicine

Asif M. Ilyas, MD, MBA, FACS
Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University

Jersey finger refers to an avulsion of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) at its insertion on the distal phalanx, the weakest point of the tendon. The injury frequently occurs during contact sports while grabbing the jersey of an opposing player as the player pulls or runs away. Surgical repair is the definitive treatment for all cases of complete rupture of the FDP tendon.

In this video article, Dr. Ilyas at the Rothman Institute demonstrates the suture anchor technique to repair a jersey finger. This approach was selected in place of the more traditional pull-out button technique for potentially stronger repair, no presence of external fixation devices, avoidance of button-related complications, and ease of rehabilitation.