Keywords
metatarsal - reconstruction - distal radius
Palabras clave
metatarsiano - reconstrucción - radio distal
Introduction
The common but difficult scenario of a distal radius intra-articular malunion after
a fracture continues to pose a problem for upper limb surgeons. When consisting of
an uncomplicated step deformity, this would be amenable to corrective osteotomy, but
when there is substantial loss of articular cartilage with or without severe irregularity
of the distal radius joint surface, salvage partial arthrodesis or arthroplasty may
be the only options left.[1]
[2]
[3] These procedures provide good pain relief but result in a stiffer wrist. Frequently,
these procedures change the kinematics of the wrist, resulting in further arthrosis
and in the need for further salvage surgery.[2]
[4] Recently, del Piñal et al reported on their results using a vascularized 3rd metatarsal (3MT) osteochondral flap to resurface the distal radius in the presence
of intact cartilage of the proximal scaphoid and lunate, with encouraging mid-term
results.[5]
[6] Using the same donor site, we present our experience using the base of the 3MT as
an autograft for similar resurfacing.
Materials and Methods
Between 2011 and 2014, 7 patients underwent reconstruction of the distal radius with
a 3MT autograft. All of the patients had sustained closed fractures of the distal
radius, with 4 treated with open reduction and fixation initially, and the remaining
3 patients treated nonoperatively, in different institutions, before referral. The
mean time interval from their original injury until their reconstruction was of 30
months (range: 6–132 months). The primary patient symptom triggering referral for
reconstructive surgery was pain in most patients, followed by limitation in the active
range of motion (AROM) in the wrist. In all of the patients, the lunate facet of the
radius was the primary defect, with evidence of articular cartilage loss ([Fig. 1]). All of the patients were fully aware of the treatment aims and understood the
risks and possible benefits, and gave informed consent for the procedure. The procedure
is not a new one,[2] but a simplification of a published and reported technique, and therefore required
no ethics approval.
Fig. 1 Computed tomography scan of lunate facet irregularity and in-situ volar plate. Note
the appearance of the distal screw in the articular defect in the lunate facet.
Preoperative Assessment
Preoperative plain X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans were used to confirm
the articular damage and loss of congruity of the radiocarpal joint, and also to assess
its extent. Only patients with isolated facet damage nonremediable by simple osteotomy
or arthroscopic debridement were selected for the procedure. Contraindications to
the procedure included widespread damage to both radius facets, lunate and/or scaphoid
articular damage, carpal malalignment, and near or complete loss of range of motion
(ROM). These criteria are similar to those proposed by del Piñal et al.[6]
Surgical Technique
Donor Site
The harvest of the autograft is similar to that described by del Pinal et al,[5] except by the fact that the graft is harvested without any feeding vessels. Briefly,
the position of the 3rd tarsal-metatarsal joint is identified with the help of a fluoroscopy scan and its
surface markings are noted prior to the incision on the skin. Under tourniquet control,
a lazy s incision over the joint is made, and the extensor digitorum and extensor
hallucis brevis tendons are retracted laterally to expose the joint. The joint capsule
is reflected via an I-shaped incision, exposing the base and the joint of the 3MT.
The base of the 3MT is cut transversely with an oscillating saw, ∼ 1.5 cm distal to
the joint, and taking care to avoid any damage to the articular cartilage, the graft
is levered free of its soft tissue attachments. We leave the volar rim intact to preserve
the insertion of the plantar ligaments. The resultant defect is not filled, but the
dead space is left to fill with hematoma, thus encouraging soft tissue scarring comparable
to resection arthroplasty of the base of the thumb. Closure is in layers after careful
hemostasis. A foot splint is applied in a neutral position, and worn for 2 weeks.
Supportive shoes with laces are worn for up to 6 weeks.
Recipient Site
With the arm exsanguinated, the wrist is approached dorsally via a longitudinal midline
incision, and the extensor retinaculum is incised using a Z-shaped incision, opening
up only the 3rd and 4th compartments. The terminal end of the posterior interosseous nerve is excised and
the extensor tendons are retracted. Next, a rectangular, distally based, capsular
flap incorporating the radiotriquetral ligament is raised, exposing the distal end
of the radius with its dorsal lip. After flexing the wrist, the lunate is inspected
to assess its articular surface and the quality of the cartilage, before addressing
the radius proper. In some cases in which the proximal carpus (lunate or scaphoid)
has migrated proximally due to the bone/cartilage defect in the radius, the adjunctive
use of intraoperative traction (either via a generic finger trap and tower system;
or a temporizing spanning external fixator) may be indicated, to allow easier resection
of the damaged facet, as well as accurate sizing of the graft needed. This is important
for accurate reconstruction of the facets; failure to do this may result in noncorrection
of the proximal displacement of the lunate or of the scaphoid.
The affected area of the distal radius (in this series, all of the patients underwent
excision of the damaged dorsal aspect of the lunate facet; [Fig. 2] Type A) is carefully removed as a rectangle, with the aid of an oscillating saw,
at the same time leaving intact a medial pillar of bone. If the reconstruction includes
sigmoid notch resurfacing, then the medial pillar is sacrificed as well ([Fig. 2] Type D). The resultant three-dimensional defect should include some metaphyseal
bone, to better accommodate the graft. In cases in which the medial cortical pillar
is preserved (usually with a width of at least 5mm), the graft is tailored to fit
the defect by removing the medial, lateral and volar cortices, to allow cancellous
to cancellous bone apposition ([Fig. 2] Type A and B). If the sigmoid notch is being reconstructed, then the accessory facet
is preserved (a further point being that the contralateral 3MT must be harvested,
to allow for correct orientation of the accessory facet). The graft is wedged or ‘press
fit' into place, its original 'plantar-dorsal' orientation now described as 'volar-dorsal',
except case the sigmoid notch is reconstructed (in this case, the contralateral graft
is orientated into a dorsal-volar position, to ensure the accessory facet faces ulnarly).
The graft is held securely by the pillars of bone on both sides, and the articular
surface is checked to ensure no step-off is evident. Fixation is via two or three
corticocancellous screws or via buried Kirschner wires ([Fig. 3]). The wrist is closed in a layered manner, with meticulous repair of the dorsal
capsular flap (if needed, with a drill hole through the radius for fixation), with
the wrist in neutral position for flexion and extension, and pronation and supination.
Passive exercises commence at week 2, with active assisted exercises beginning at
week 4. The total time requiring splinting was 6 weeks in most cases.
Fig. 2 Diagrammatic representation of the various distal radius reconstructions possible
with the 3rd metatarsal autograft. The lunate and scaphoid facets are highlighted (brown), as
well as the sigmoid notch (blue). Please note that this is only a diagrammatic rendition
of the distal radius and, therefore, it, as well as the reconstructions (red), are
not strictly to scale. The possible permutations for facet resurfacing are extrapolated
from the anatomical work of del Piñal.[5]
Fig. 3 (A) The dorsal lunate facet excised, showing the resultant defect. Medial and radial
pillars of radius shown. Note the appearance of the lunate, being abnormally scarred
rather than having the usual 'shiny' white appearance. This was a similar case to
that demonstrated by del Piñal et al.[5] (B) The 3rd metatarsal autograft is inset by press fitting, and secured with screws and Kirschner
wires.
Results
Seven patients underwent lunate fossa reconstruction and 1 underwent concurrent sigmoid
notch resurfacing. An average of 51 months follow-up was attained (range: 14–73 months).
The preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain was 4 (range: 0–7), compared
with a postoperative score of 1 (range: 0–3). Postoperative CT scans and X-rays ([Fig. 4]) at 6 months postoperatively were independently reported by musculoskeletal radiologists,
confirming bridging trabeculae and, therefore, union of all grafts, with no evidence
of avascular necrosis or resorption at that stage. No hardware loosening or overt
signs of arthroses (subchondral cysts, or sclerosis) were seen. On average, extension
increased by 21°, and flexion increased by 5°. The average total active flexion-extension
arc was 119°, with an improvement of 28°. The average grip strength improved by 8.5
kg. Donor site morbidity was minimal, with pain being the primary complaint. This
resolved after 3 months in most circumstances. No infective or hardware complications
were noted in the latest follow-up. One patient (case 3) required tenolysis of his
extensor tendons to the index finger to treat an extension contracture. Full details
of patient demographics and surgical details are recorded ([Tables 1] and [2]).
Fig. 4 An example of a 6-month follow-up X-ray demonstrating union of the autograft and
good restoration of the radiocarpal articulation. A broken screw of the volar plate
remains in the radius, but has no interference with the autograft.
Table 1
Patient demographics
|
Age (years old)
|
Gender
|
Dominance
|
Follow-up (months)
|
Occupation
|
Delay (months)
|
Initial Rx
|
Addt Rx
|
|
26
|
M
|
D
|
18
|
Student
|
19
|
Volar plate
|
Arthroscopic shaving osteophyte
|
|
43
|
M
|
ND
|
69
|
Farmer
|
132
|
?
|
Bone graft from pelvis
|
|
27
|
M
|
ND
|
67
|
Physiotherapist
|
9
|
?
|
?
|
|
46
|
M
|
ND
|
73
|
Carpenter
|
13
|
?
|
?
|
|
28
|
M
|
D
|
61
|
Roofer
|
24
|
?
|
Plate removal
|
|
21
|
M
|
ND
|
14
|
Nursing student
|
6
|
?
|
?
|
|
51
|
F
|
ND
|
57
|
Manager H&R
|
7
|
?
|
?
|
Abbreviations: Addt, additional; D, dominant; F, female, H&R, human resources, M,
Male, ND, non dominant; Rx, X ray.
Table 2
Intraoperative findings and management
|
Patient
|
Reconstructed area
|
Carpal cartilage status
|
Graft fixation
|
Additional procedures
|
|
1
|
Lunate fossa
|
Normal
|
Screw
|
Plate removal
|
|
2
|
Lunate fossa
|
Normal
|
2 x Kirschner wire
|
−
|
|
3
|
Lunate fossa
|
Normal
|
1 x Kirschner wire
|
−
|
|
4
|
Lunate fossa
|
Normal
|
Screw + Kirschner wire
|
−
|
|
5
|
Lunate fossa
|
Normal
|
Kirschner wire
|
Repositioning of the lunate
|
|
6
|
Lunate fossa and sigmoid notch
|
Normal
|
Screw + 2 x Kirschner wire
|
−
|
|
7
|
Lunate fossa
|
Normal
|
Kirschner wire
|
−
|
Discussion
Although it is well known that many patients with radiographic arthrosis after distal
radius fractures do not have significant pain, there is a subset of patients who are
troubled by pain, and require intervention. The treatment of distal radius defects
with loss of articular cartilage is difficult and often limited to pain relieving
procedures, such as denervation or (partial) arthrodesis. However, when the damage
is focal rather than widespread, with no carpal instability or carpal articular cartilage
loss, reconstruction becomes a viable option. Before the use of 3MT for reconstruction,
sources of autografting, such as the costochondral rib,[7] the tibiofibular joint,[8] and most recently, the patellofemoral joint,[9] and the pisiform bone,[10] have been described, with encouraging results. With costochondral grafts, the group
reported 7 patients who underwent reconstruction of the distal radius for malunion,
with harvest of the graft from the 8th rib. Both ROM and pain scores improved significantly. On early follow-up CT scans
(6 months), no evidence of graft resorption was seen.[7] However, with long-term follow-up (6 patients), there was lysis/resorption of 1
graft.[11] Reported complications include donor site morbidity, including potential life-threatening
thoracic complications. There is now more evidence suggesting frequent cartilage and
bone resorption with autografting in the wrist and in the hand.[6]
Others have successfully used free vascularized fibular flaps,[12]
[13] in an attempt to obviate the problem of resorption. The disadvantage of this technique
is the obvious incongruity of the reconstructed joint with that of the proximal carpus,
leading to frequent degenerative arthrosis in the long-term. In 2005, del Piñal et
al[5] published preliminary results of cadaveric studies, and 1 patient for whom a novel
osteochondral free flap from the 3MT was chosen. The decision to use this donor included
its size and shape, the presence of a consistent accessory facet, the low donor site
morbidity, and the ability to raise the bone cartilage unit as a free flap, complete
with a robust vascular pedicle and even a monitoring skin flap.
The 3MT is a good choice of donor ([Fig. 5]) bone and cartilage for resurfacing substantial areas of distal radius articular
surface due its qualities and size (19 mm dorsoplantar length, 12mm dorsal width,
and 8 mm plantar width), and allows for partial or near total resurfacing of either
the lunate or of the scaphoid facet. In a study by del Piñal et al,[5] it was noted that the principal facet is usually flat or slightly concave, and slanted
distally from dorsal to plantar and from fibular to tibial, making it suitable for
the reconstruction. Notably, the 3MT is unique in that it has a fairly constant accessory
facet on its fibular side, articulating with the base of the 4th metatarsal, and is suitable for concurrent reconstruction of the sigmoid notch of
the radius, bearing in mind that resurfacing of the sigmoid notch is partial at best,
due to the maximum size constraints of the donor.
Fig. 5 Diagrammatic representation of the 3rd metatarsal, with the proximal facet (brown) and accessory facet (blue) shown. The
point of resection is demonstrated by the red line.
The advantages include a reliable blood supply to the 3MT graft, thus both the subchondral
bone and the articular cartilage are vascularized immediately, without the need for
survival and nutrition from synovial fluid or the necessary survival and incorporation
of the graft bone via osteoconduction.[5] As demonstrated previously, the articular cartilage is inherently dependent on subchondral
bone vascularity for its survival, otherwise chondrolysis is likely.[14] Therefore, the problems of bone and chondral resorption are reduced with immediate
vascularization, compared with autografting.[6] The other advantages would be the concave shape of the proximal base of the 3MT,
which is a good anatomical match for the lunate and scaphoid facets, as well as for
the accessory facet, making possible the reconstruction of the sigmoid notch. Our
own results support this view, with a mean arc of 119° at the wrist, and a significant
reduction in pain. Important reasons for reduction in pain would most likely include
the “denervation” effect of reconstruction surgery, the deliberate division of the
posterior interosseous nerve terminal branch, as well as the restoration of joint
anatomy and of the carpal height. It is important to add that the relief of pain due
only to osteochondral resurfacing is impossible to quantify in the present study,
due to the variables described above.
The advantages of using a nonvascularized graft as opposed to a vascularized graft
are in the relative ease of harvest. There is no difficult dissection of arterial
anatomy, a fact noted as well by del Piñal et al.[5]
[6] Hence, microsurgical skills are not needed, and the operative time is significantly
reduced. Furthermore, the inherent risks of microvascular occlusion and prolonged
stay in hospital are avoided. Donor site morbidity is also very acceptable to the
patients,[6] and the risk of neuroma is lower, as there is minimal soft tissue dissection as
opposed to raising a vascular pedicle. Also, the vascularized graft is more bulky
when usually taken with a skin paddle, causing a more tedious insert and fixation
of the osteochondral graft.
The reconstruction presented here has demonstrated a quite acceptable mid-term pain
reduction with 4 out of 7 patients without pain and an average VAS of 1.
As there is more metaphyseal than diaphyseal bone at the site of reconstruction, the
very reliable and rapid graft harvesting in all of our cases may be explained by this.
Furthermore, the preservation of the medial cortical pillar of the radius is important,
since it increases significantly the surface area of cancellous bone to bone contact,
and the method of 'press fitting' the graft further optimizes the graft harvesting
conditions, as well as providing stability to the reconstruction. An added advantage
is that the dorsal radial radioulnar ligament attachments, important for stabilizing
the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ), are preserved. Further scans (at 10 and 15 years
of follow-up) will easily answer the potential issue of resorption in the mid- and
long-term.
As stated, the proximal facet of the 3MT is usually mildly concave, making it suitable
for distal radius reconstruction. However, on the rare occasion, it appears convex.
In patient 6 of our series, this was noted. In such an uncommon scenario, it may be
feasible to consider harvesting partially the distal 3rd cuneiform, rather than the 3MT, as the cuneiform distal facet will be concave. Such an assessment
can be easily made intraoperatively or via preoperative CT scanning. We have not yet
performed this autograft, but anticipate that donor site morbidity is no different
from normal 3MT patients.
There are several obvious limitations in the present study, including the lack of
long-term results. Furthermore, owing to poor patient compliance with pre- and postoperative
follow-up sessions, the data are necessarily incomplete, and this precluded a robust
statistical analysis. The 3MT vascularized graft procedure developed by del Piñal
et al[5] remains currently the most viable method of anatomically resurfacing large areas
of damaged distal radius articulation, and also concurrent sigmoid notch defects;
our mid-term results would suggest that 3MT autografting achieves the same functional
and radiological outcomes in the short-term, with the added advantage that no microsurgical
techniques are necessary.
