IU Indianapolis ScholarWorks :: Browsing by Author "Merrell, Gregory A."

Browsing by Author "Merrell, Gregory A."

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Decreased Rate of Complications in Carpal Tunnel Release with Hand Fellowship Training
(Thieme, 2018-04) Mathen, Santosh J.; Nosrati, Naveed N.; Merrell, Gregory A.; Graduate Medical Education, IU School of Medicine
Purpose: In many procedures, both high case volumes and fellowship training have been shown to improve outcomes. One of the most common procedures performed by hand surgeons, the carpal tunnel release (CTR) is also performed by several other specialties without specialty training in a hand fellowship. This study analyzed the effect that hand fellowship training has on outcomes of CTRs. Materials and Methods: Using the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons (ABOS) Part II candidates' case list submissions, a database was created for all open and endoscopic CTRs. Surgeon training, demographics, technique, and complications were recorded. Complications were then categorized and broken down by technique. Results were then analyzed for statistical significance. Results: A total of 29,916 cases were identified. Hand fellowship-trained surgeons performed six times more CTRs at 31 cases per surgeon compared with five for non-hand fellowship-trained surgeons. They also improved outcomes in rates of infection, wound dehiscence, and overall complications. Rates of nerve injury or recurrence showed no statistical difference. This held true for the open release subset. Endoscopically, fellowship-trained surgeons had only improved rates of overall complications. Conclusion: Surgeons undergoing additional hand fellowship training may show improved outcomes in the surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. However, no effect was seen on nerve injury or recurrence of symptoms.
Distal Biceps Brachii Tendon Transfer for Re-establishing Extrinsic Finger Function: Feasibility Study in Cadavers
(Elsevier, 2017) Welsch, Matthew D.; Mih, Alexander D.; Reite, Brock D.; Merrell, Gregory A.; Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine
Purpose To determine the anatomic feasibility of transferring the biceps brachii tendon into either the extensor digitorum communis (EDC) or flexor digitorum profundus (FDP), determine the excursion imparted to EDC and FDP tendons after transfer, and compare the work capacity of the cadaver biceps to previously published data on the biceps as well as the recipient muscles by calculating the physiologic cross-sectional area (PCSA). Methods Four fresh-frozen cadaver shoulder-elbow-wrist specimens were used to measure tendon excursion that can be obtained with transfer of the distal biceps tendon into either the EDC or FDP. Two cadavers had distal biceps-to-EDC transfer performed, and the other 2 had distal biceps-to-FDP performed. Passive ranging of each elbow from flexion to extension and active loading at 90° of elbow flexion were then performed on each specimen to determine tendon excursion. An analysis of the PCSA of the biceps muscle was performed on each specimen. Results Distal biceps-to-EDC transfer resulted in an average of 24 mm of tendon excursion with passive loading, and 24 mm of tendon excursion with active loading. Distal biceps-to-FDP transfer resulted in an average of 24 mm of tendon excursion with passive loading, and 24 mm of tendon excursion with active loading. The average PCSA was 3.6 cm2. Conclusions Transfer of the distal biceps tendon into the EDC or FDP is anatomically feasible and provides roughly 24 mm of tendon excursion to the tendon units. The PCSA in the specimens used is slightly lower than other published data; it closely approximates the PCSA of the EDC, but is only half of the PCSA of the FDP in previously published data.
Efficacy of a Single Image-Guided Corticosteroid Injection for Glenohumeral Arthritis
(Elsevier, 2020) Metzger, Cameron M.; Farooq, Hassan; Merrell, Gregory A.; Kaplan, F. Thomas D.; Greenberg, Jeffrey A.; Crosby, Nicholas E.; Peck, Kathryn M.; Hoyer, Reed W.; Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine
Background There is limited data available on the efficacy of cortisone injection for glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA). The amount and longevity of pain relief provided by a single cortisone injection is unclear. Additionally, it remains uncertain how the severity of radiographic GHOA and patient reported function and pain levels impact the efficacy of injection. Therefore, we sought to describe relief provided by a single, image guided glenohumeral injection for patients with GHOA. Additionally, we hypothesized that patients with more severe radiographic GHOA and poorer baseline shoulder function would require earlier secondary intervention. Methods Patients with symptomatic GHOA who elected to receive a corticosteroid injection for pain relief were prospectively enrolled. A phone interview was conducted to record baseline OSS and VAS scores prior to the injection, as well as at months 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 12. Endpoints were designated when patients required a second injection, progressed to surgery, or reached month 12. Patients were grouped by their respective baseline OSS (mild, moderate/severe) and Samilson-Prieto radiographic classification (mild, moderate, severe) for analysis. Results Thirty shoulders (29 patients) were analyzed. 52% of patients were male. The average age of 66.1 years. No significant difference was seen in overall survival (defined as no additional intervention) between groups based on either OSS or Samilson-Prieto grades. Additionally, OSS and VAS scores at each follow-up were compared to baseline. For the entire cohort, a clinically significant difference was seen between baseline and months 1-4 for OSS and between baseline and months 1-4, 6,9, and 12 for VAS. Discussion This study aimed to determine the efficacy of corticosteroid injections for GHOA. There were no differences in the need for secondary interventions in this population based on severity of either the OSS or the Samilson-Prieto radiographic classification. However, patients with more severe shoulder dysfunction based on OSS did experience a statistically significant greater symptomatic relief compared with patients with milder dysfunction. Additionally, following a single injection, patients in this cohort experienced statistically and clinically relevant improvements in shoulder function and pain up to 4 months post-injection.
Power-Optimizing Repair for Distal Biceps Tendon Rupture: Stronger and Safer
(Elsevier, 2021-07-08) Tadevich, Joshua T.; Bhagat, Neel D.; Lim, Boon H.; Gao, Jinling; Chen, Weinong W.; Merrell, Gregory A.; Medicine, School of Medicine
Purpose: Many approaches have been described to accomplish tendon reattachment to the radial tuberosity in a distal biceps tendon rupture, with significant success, but each is associated with potential postoperative complications, including posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) injury. To date, there has been no consensus on the best approach to the repair. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the supination strength and the distance of drill exit points from the PIN in a power-optimizing distal biceps repair method and compare the findings with those of a traditional anterior approach endobutton repair method. Methods: Cadaveric arms were dissected to allow for distal biceps tendon excision from its anatomic footprint. Each arm was repaired twice, first with the power-optimizing repair using an anterior single-incision approach with an ulnar drilling angle and biceps tendon radial tuberosity wraparound anatomic footprint attachment, then with the traditional anterior endobutton repair. Following each repair, the arm was mounted on a custom-built testing apparatus, and the supination torque was measured from 3 orientations. The PIN was then located posteriorly, and its distance from each repair exit hole was measured. Results: Five cadaveric arms, each with both the repairs, were included in the study. On average, the power-optimizing repair generated an 82%, 22%, and 13% greater supination torque than the traditional anterior endobutton repair in 45° supination, neutral, and 45° pronation orientations, respectively. On average, the power-optimizing repair produced drill hole exit points farther from the PIN (23 mm) than the traditional anterior endobutton repair (14 mm). Conclusions: The power-optimizing repair provides a significantly greater supination torque and produces a drill hole exit point significantly farther from the PIN than the traditional anterior endobutton approach.
Use of an Abductor Pollicis Brevis Tendon Slip for Reconstruction of the Radial Collateral Ligament of the Thumb Metacarpophalangeal Joint: An Anatomical Investigation
(Sage, 2023) Schmidt, Gregory J.; Crosby, Nicholas E.; Merrell, Gregory A.; Graduate Medical Education, School of Medicine
Background: Reconstruction of the radial collateral ligament (RCL) of the thumb metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint is commonly performed for chronic injuries. This study aims to evaluate the anatomical feasibility and reliability of using the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) tendon to reconstruct the RCL. Methods: Ten cadaver arms were dissected to evaluate the relationship between insertions of the RCL and APB. A slip of the APB was divided from tendon and reflected proximally. The dissected tendon was deemed sufficient for reconstruction if it could be reflected to the footprint of the RCL origin. The size of the dissected APB slip was then compared with that of the RCL. Results: The dissected slip of the APB could be fully reflected proximally to the RCL origin in all specimens. The APB insertion was also found to be closely approximated to the RCL insertion, averaging 2.1 mm distal and 1.8 mm dorsal. Significant differences existed between the lengths (P < .001) of the APB slip and RCL, with no significant difference in widths (P = .051). Conclusions: A sufficient APB tendon slip can be obtained to reliably reconstruct the RCL of the thumb MP. The location of the APB insertion closely approximates the RCL insertion.

Browsing by Author "Merrell, Gregory A."

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