Surgical treatment of synovial-collagen disorders of the hand

Rheumatoid arthritis

The deformities in the hand in rheumatoid arthritis often follow a predictable pattern. The formula is destructive synovitis plus load equals deformity. If viewed through the lens of the collasyn theory, synovitis will rupture tendons at the distal edge (load area) of the extensor retinaculum. Synovitis also stimulates protective over-activity of the intrinsics, creating abnormal loads in the fingers. These loads most often create pressure on the dorsoradial capsule and ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint resulting in volar and ulnar subluxation of the proximal phalanx. If there is insufficient synovitis in the MP joint, the MP joints will not subluxate. The intrinsic loads then are transmitted to the fingers, resulting in swan necks, boutonnieres, dislocations or even interphalangeal fusion. Applying this concept allows prediction of expected deformity on clinical examination. Tight intrinsics (positive Bunnell test) should be released early, removing the load component of the destructive formula. The ulnar drift and deformities of the wrist are the result of the “downslope” loads created by the anatomy of the articular surface of the distal radius.

Stenosing tenosynovitis or trigger finger

The effects of the interaction between synovium and collagen can be seen in trigger fingers. In stenosing tenosynovitis of the finger flexors, there is a thickened retinaculum or pulley that constricts the osseofibrous tunnel through which the tendon runs.^[1] Chronic synovial irritation affects collagen deposition in the A1 pulley and leads to a progressive thickening and sometimes metaplasia of the pulley^[1-3][Figure 1]. During sleep, edema collects in the tendon proximal and distal to the pulley. The symptomatic sequelae include stiffness in the mornings as patients open and close their fingers to “milk” the fluid back into the natural shape of the tendons, or “locking” of the fingers if a nodule is too big to pass through the pulley. Conservative treatment may include steroid injections, splinting and activity modification. If this fail, surgery is indicated.^[4] A release of the A1 pulley increases space to allow normal tendon gliding. Surgery has been shown to be more successful in the absence of diabetes.^[5]

Figure 1. The A1 pulley thickens in response to synovitis and constricts the flexor tendons

The collasyn theory explains why there is an increased incidence of stenosing tenosynovitis (trigger finger) in the thumb and little finger following carpal tunnel surgery. Infection can move from thumb to little finger through the common synovial lining between the thumb, the carpal tunnel and the fibro-osseous sheath of the little finger flexors. Surgery on the carpal tunnel produces inflammation of this communicating synovium, which then has its hypertrophic effect on the collagen of the A1 pulleys.

Fourth extensor compartment synovitis

Collasyn pathology is also seen in the extensor retinaculum. Patients with fourth extensor compartment stenosing tenosynovitis develop a thickened retinaculum. In performing ultrasound evaluation, Zhou et al.^[6] found that with increased extension of the wrist, the contact area between the extensor retinaculum and the extensor tendons decreased, causing increased friction. We have found that a release of the septa between the fourth and fifth extensor compartments without releasing the external retinaculum is all that is needed to provide sufficient room for the tendons.^[7]

Check reins

Treatment of proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contractures is often reported to be less than optimal.^[8] The volar plate at the PIP joint is a unique structure that prevents hyperextension at the PIP joint and absorbs enormous compression loads. The PIP volar plate is a thick, strong fibrocartilaginous structure, lined on the volar surface by peritendinous synovium of the fibro-osseous sheath and on the dorsal surface by joint synovium. These 2 layers of synovium lie on either side of the thin joint capsule at the lateral sides of the volar plate.^[9] Inflammation of these two different synovial surfaces influence each other and produce the unusual abnormal collagen hypertrophy termed the checkrein ligaments. These do not exist in the normal state but are produced under the influence of this “synovial sandwich.” When treating contractures of the PIP joints, one must release these pathological structures in order to increase the movement in the joint. Results of a study using this technique indicated full intraoperative extension in 110 of 115 joints, with 2 joints requiring a collateral ligament release. Three of the 115 digits required a second checkrein release after intraoperative gains were not maintained.^[9]

Peripheral arthritis

Peripheral arthritis is secondary to synovial traction and inflammation. Osteophytes and abnormal cartilage build up on the joint periphery. It is hypothesized that the areas of synovial attachment are responsible for the synovitic influence on collagen and bone formation. With chronic synovial inflammation, the mechanical traction at the synovial attachment point may play a part but the inflamed synovium communicates with the bone collagen resulting in osteophyte formation. Resecting these bone areas along with excision of involved synovium results in clearing of the patient’s symptoms and significantly extending joint longevity. This occurs without having altered joint mechanics at the time of surgery.

Distal radioulnar joint

This approach has been used in the treatment of arthritis in the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). The treatment of DRUJ degenerative arthritis following failure of conservative treatment such as splinting and antiinflammatory medication includes complete elimination of the arthritic joint, as popularized by Darrach,^[10] a hemiresection-interposition technique,^[11] the matched distal ulna resection^[12] or the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure, as well as ulnar head or total joint replacement.^[13] A modified DRUJ arthritis technique based on the concept of proximal to distal progression of degenerative joint disease at the DRUJ has been described^[14][Figure 2]. The proximal one-third to one-half of the articular surface is typically resected around the entire circumference of the joint. In one published study, all patients noted significant improvement in symptoms.^[14] One patient went on to have a matched ulna arthroplasty. In another report on results of 29 patients, 5 (17%) had additional surgery after the DRUJ arthroplasty specific to the ulno-carpal/ DRUJ complex (four patients matched ulna arthroplasty, one patient triquetral impingement ligament tear [TILT] and ulna styloidectomy).^[15]

Figure 2. (a) Peripheral arthritis is an early stage of bone response to synovitis. In the DRUJ, it typically begins along the proximal joint where synovium attaches. It has the appearance of a "goatee" on the articular surface of the ulna as noted in these 4 symptomatic patients; (b) at surgery, the osteophyte is made up of soft reactive bone, which is easily removed circumferentially; (c) a 5-year postoperation follow-up shows no progression of DRUJ arthritis in this asymptomatic patient

Dorsal wrist syndrome

Another example of peripheral arthritis is the dorsal wrist syndrome (DWS). This common diagnosis of wrist pathology results from scaphoid instability after ligament tears, extreme loading of the wrist or a physiologically inadequate ligament system. The most common problem in the human wrist is the tendency for the proximal scaphoid pole to escape from beneath the capitate. Under load, this displacing scaphoid produces stretch and insult to the synovium. In its mildest form, acute wrist trauma produces scapholunate (SL) synovitis and ligamentous strain without a SL ligament tear. A more substantial ligament tear may result in a displacing scaphoid accompanied by chronic synovitis. These wrists are painful and will not tolerate loading. Conservative treatment consists of splinting and other types of activity modification.^[16]

Surgical management of DWS after 6 months of conservative care involves exploration of the SL joint with excision of the soft tissue synovial mass and any associated ganglia. Bony ridging and osteophytes form on the dorsum of the scaphoid and occasionally the lunate and are present in every case to some extent [Figure 3]. The dorsal ridging is believed to be the synovial attachment point responsible for molecular remodeling of collagen and bone due to the synovial inflammation. No change in scaphoid stability is accomplished. One hundred and fifty-one cases of surgically treated DWS were evaluated and less than 10% of these wrists required subsequent scaphoid stabilization (scaphoid-trapezium-trapezoid (STT) fusion). Wollstein et al.^[17] presented results on 80 patients surgically treated for DWS, with 25% requiring some form of further surgery, including 9 STT fusions and 2 proximal row carpectomies. It is hypothesized that the resection of this synovitic attachment point is responsible for the relatively low rates of progression to arthritis despite continued abnormal scaphoid migration under load. A second group with a similar surgical procedure has been described with 86% of their patients having good to excellent results.^[18]

Figure 3. In dorsal wrist syndrome, the inflamed synovium produces peripheral osteophytes as noted on the dorsum of the scaphoid in this oblique X-ray (a) and at surgery (b)

In conclusion, inflamed synovium influences adjacent collagen. This fundamental relationship is the basis for many of the pathologic conditions of the hand, from capsular and ligament collagen to bone collagen (the “collasyn theory”). Viewing pathology of the hand in this manner may enhance our understanding and consequent treatment of hand conditions. The synovial cells produce a multitude of molecules and mediators involved in normal joint function as well as inflammatory mediators such as cytokines in response to osteoarthritis.^[19,20] Lubricin and hyaluronic acid are two important lubricant molecules produced by synovium. Recent evidence has shown that these molecules are important in articular cartilage maintenance and loss of these substances can lead to osteoarthritic degeneration.^[21-23] A reactive synovium produces factors related to inflammation through participation in multiple pathways.^[24-27] Synovium includes mesenchymal stem cells capable of differentiating into various tissue types including cartilage, muscle and bone.^[28-30] Thus, synovium plays a key role in the repair of injured connective tissue components, but may also create the environment in which further pathology occurs.^[19]

Further study in this area may allow us to understand and address this synovial influence before it exerts its effect on surrounding collagen.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conficts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.