Citations

Background: The medial femoral trochlea flap is used for treating recalcitrant scaphoid proximal pole nonunions. Although this requires resecting a substantial portion of the scapholunate interosseous ligament, the intercarpal angular relationships are preserved. Studies have demonstrated that lunate alignment is preserved despite loss of the scapholunate ligament because the scaphoid is reconstructed with an osteochondral flap that is larger than the resected nonunited proximal scaphoid. The technique of purposeful expansion of the scaphoid height has been termed scaphoid overstuffing . The purpose of this study is to characterize the effect of scaphoid overstuffing on force transmission across the scaphoid and lunate facets of the radius. Methods: Eleven fresh frozen cadaveric upper extremities without ligament instability were selected. The radiocarpal joint was exposed via a dorsal approach, and electronic pressure sensors were introduced. Three different states of the wrist were evaluated: native, scapholunate dissociation (SLD), and overstuffed (OS). Pressures were measured in 4 positions: 30° flexion, full wrist extension, 30° extension, and clenched fist. Pressures were measured in kPa and contact areas in mm 2 . Results: In all functional positions, the OS state had higher peak pressures across the scaphoid facet. This included 30° wrist flexion (OS 383 ± 221 kPa, P = .033), full wrist extension (OS 1068 ± 767 kPa, P = .022), 30° wrist extension (OS 880 ± 518 kPa, P < .001), and clenched fist (OS 1040 ± 736 kPa, P = .02). Conclusions: In functional wrist positions, overstuffing the scaphoid increases scaphoid facet peak contact pressures. Further study is needed to examine the long-term clinical consequences of these changes and the potential for accelerated cartilage degeneration.

Abstract Reactive arthritis is an immune-mediated arthropathy caused by a preceding remote infection. Typically, reactive arthritis affects the joints of the lower extremities but can occur in the upper extremity. There are a few case reports of reactive arthritis primarily involving the joints of the hand and wrist, necessitating surgical intervention. We describe the case of a 37-year-old, right-hand dominant female who presented with severe left wrist pain. After obtaining radiographs, she was diagnosed with severe erosive changes in the radiolunate joint and distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) and secondary reactive gonococcal arthritis of the DRUJ. The patient failed conservative measures and ultimately underwent radioscapholunate (RSL) arthrodesis, distal ulna resection, and wrist denervation. Postoperatively, she had resolution of her pain and an excellent functional outcome. Refractory reactive arthritis of the DRUJ can cause concomitant adjacent joint erosive changes. Performing RSL arthrodesis and distal ulna resection can provide an excellent functional outcome and still allow motion to be preserved through the midcarpal joint. IV: Case report level IV or higher evidence.

Abstract Extra-axial chordoma (EAC) is a very rare, malignant tumor with metastatic potential that arises in the extra-axial skeleton and soft tissues. We report the case of a 51-year-old right-handed male with EAC of the left capitate. He underwent capitate resection and wrist arthrodesis utilizing scaphoid autograft with the treatment goal of minimizing risk of tumor recurrence and metastasis while maximizing hand and wrist function. His radiographic outcome demonstrated union of his arthrodesis site. However, 7 months postoperatively, he started experiencing increased hand and wrist pain and was found to have early tumor reoccurrence. Few cases of EAC have been reported in the literature. EAC is typically treated with resection alone, although there is a limited role for chemotherapy and radiation in the setting of locally reoccurring or metastatic disease. Functional outcomes of the affected extremity and survival outcomes vary widely. This is the first report in the literature of EAC of a single carpal bone and describes an innovative technique for definitive surgical treatment of this rare tumor. Utilization of scaphoid autograft for wrist arthrodesis in the setting of capitate resection allows the use of autograft in a wrist arthrodesis without the additional morbidity of iliac crest bone grafting. This case also demonstrates the importance of appropriate diagnosis and oncologic technique at the index surgery.

Abstract Total wrist arthroplasty (TWA) is a motion-sparing surgical alternative to wrist arthrodesis for patients with radiocarpal arthritis, but prior reports have indicated that its utilization remains limited. This study aimed to quantify Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for TWA, along with utilization trends for the procedure using Medicare data. Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates for three TWA Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes—25446 (TWA), 25332 (TWA with interposition), and 25449 (revision TWA)—were collected for all states except Tennessee for the year 2024 and compared with each other. Prior Medicare rates from 2000 to 2023 were also obtained, adjusted for inflation to represent 2024 dollars, and analyzed for reimbursement trends with a two-tailed t-test between average inflation-adjusted 2000 and 2024 reimbursement. Utilization data from 2000 to 2022 were obtained from the Medicare Part B database. Medicaid reimbursement averaged 16.8% less than Medicare across the three TWA codes, with high variability between states. Inflation-adjusted Medicare reimbursement decreased by an average of 44.2% from 2000 to 2024, with the greatest decline seen in CPT 25446 (TWA) with a 45.1% decrease. Reimbursement for all three codes had decreased significantly from 2000 to 2024 via the two-tailed t-test. Besides an initial dramatic fall from 2000 to 2021 for revision TWA, Medicare utilization gradually increased, with 25332 (TWA with interposition) being the most commonly billed code. TWA reimbursement has decreased significantly over the past two decades for Medicare. Current Medicaid reimbursement is substantially less than Medicare. Although utilization has increased modestly, low reimbursement, along with a variety of other factors, may contribute to a limited adoption of TWA. Addressing these disincentives may encourage further innovation and technological development in TWA.

Intramedullary screw fixation (ISF) of metacarpal fractures is a well-established technique. Prior techniques either involve placement of the intramedullary screw in a retrograde fashion or placement of the guidewire in a retrograde fashion before placing the screw in an antegrade fashion. While effective, previously described techniques have risks of extensor tendon irritation, articular cartilage disruption, and limited access to multiple metacarpals from a single incision. We present a novel antegrade intramedullary screw placement and antegrade guidewire technique for ISF that avoids disruption of the metacarpal head and allows for access to multiple metacarpals through a single incision. Cadaveric evaluation confirmed consistent sparing of the distal carpal row and demonstrated the feasibility of this technique across the index through small finger metacarpals. Compared with previously described methods, this technique offers improved soft tissue preservation, reduced risk of tendon scarring, and enhanced surgical efficiency. Level of Evidence: Level IV—case report; cadaveric study.

Background: Total wrist arthrodesis is a well-established procedure providing pain relief and stability for patients with symptomatic radiocarpal arthritis refractory to nonoperative measures. Little research exists on reimbursement and utilization trends for this procedure. This study aimed to characterize Medicare reimbursement trends for total wrist arthrodesis, along with trends in Medicare utilization and comparison with Medicaid reimbursement. Methods: Medicare reimbursement for Current Procedural Terminology codes 25800, 25805, and 25810 were collected from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Physician Fee Schedule from 2000 to 2025. Rates were inflation-adjusted to 2025 dollars, and percentage changes were calculated. Medicare utilization trends from 2000 to 2022 were analyzed using CMS Part B data. Most recent Medicaid reimbursement was collected from online state fee schedules and compared with 2025 Medicare rates, with additional analyses of variability and adjustment for work Relative Value Units. Results: Inflation-adjusted Medicare reimbursement for total wrist arthrodesis decreased by 49.1% from 2000 to 2025 ( P < .0001), averaging a 1.96% annual decline. Utilization trends remained stable, with wrist arthrodesis with iliac or other autograft (CPT 25810) being the most commonly billed procedure. Medicaid reimbursed 13.6% less than Medicare on average, with substantial state variability, ranging from 44.7% (New Hampshire) to 135.4% (Alaska) of Medicare reimbursement. Conclusion: Reimbursement for total wrist arthrodesis has declined significantly despite stable utilization in the Medicare population. Medicaid reimbursement is consistently lower and highly variable by state, potentially impacting access to care. Given the effectiveness of wrist arthrodesis, policymakers should advocate for equitable reimbursement for this procedure.

Background: Anatomically accurate illustrations are imperative in medical education, serving as crucial tools to facilitate comprehension of complex anatomical structures. While traditional illustration methods involving human artists remain the gold standard, the rapid advancement of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) models presents a new opportunity to automate and accelerate this process. This study evaluated the potential of GAI models to produce craniofacial anatomy illustrations for educational purposes. Methods: Four GAI models, including Midjourney v6.0, DALL-E 3, Gemini Ultra 1.0, and Stable Diffusion 2.0 were used to generate 736 images across multiple views of surface anatomy, bones, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves of the cranium in both oil painting and realistic photograph styles. Four reviewers evaluated the images for anatomical detail, aesthetic quality, usability, and cost-effectiveness. Inter-rater reliability analysis assessed evaluation consistency. Results: Midjourney v6.0 scored highest for aesthetic quality and cost-effectiveness, and DALL-E 3 performed best for anatomical detail and usability. The inter-rater reliability analysis demonstrated a high level of agreement among reviewers (ICC = 0.858, 95% CI). However, all models showed significant flaws in depicting crucial anatomical details such as foramina, suture lines, muscular origins/insertions, and neurovascular structures. These limitations were further characterized by abstract depictions, mixing of layers, shadowing, abnormal muscle arrangements, and labeling errors. Conclusions: These findings highlight GAI’s potential for rapidly creating craniofacial anatomy illustrations but also its current limitations due to inadequate training data and incomplete understanding of complex anatomy. Refining these models through precise training data and expert feedback is vital. Ethical considerations, such as potential biases, copyright challenges, and the risks of propagating inaccurate information, must also be carefully navigated. Further refinement of GAI models and ethical safeguards are essential for safe use.