Citations

Abstract Background A retrospective review was performed of 15 adult patients who underwent arthroscopic suture anchor scapholunate capsuloligamentous repair between 2021 and 2023. Materials and Methods There were 12 male and 3 female patients, with a mean age of 44.9 years. Eight patients had European Wrist Arthroscopy Society (EWAS) II (Geissler II), four patients had EWAS IIIC (Geissler III), and three patients had EWAS IV (Geissler IV). After a follow-up of 12 months (12–26), the mean grip strength significantly improved by 131% compared with presurgery. There was a significant improvement in the visual analog scale score from 6 to 1.2, the Mayo Wrist Score from 43.5 to 86.5, and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire score from 65.9 to 6.5. Two EWAS IV patients had recurrent symptomatic scapholunate diastasis requiring scapholunate ligamentoplasty. Conclusion The arthroscopic dorsal scapholunate capsuloligamentous repair with suture anchors is a reliable and safe technique with minimal complications. It is recommended for reducible acute or chronic injury to the scapholunate ligament complex with suspected avulsion injury. Level of Evidence Level IV

ObjectivesUpdated retrospective review of the sonographic appearance of palmar fibromatosis (PF) with evaluation of the utility of the Comb Sign previously described in plantar fibromas. Additional evaluation was conducted on the location relative to the flexor tendon, anatomic proximity of palmar fibromas to the A1 pulley and evaluate any potential association with trigger finger.MethodsMedical record and imaging review was performed from 2017 to 2023, for patients with a new onset ultrasound or clinical diagnosis of PF. Clinical associations and imaging morphology were reviewed including presence of the Comb Sign, fibroma association with the A1 pulley, and fibroma association with trigger finger.ResultsExactly 87 total fibromas in 53 patients were evaluated. The Comb Sign was present in 39% of fibromas, usually seen in transverse plane, more prevalent in multifocal disease and larger fibromas. Most (72%) palmar fibromas were within 1 cm of, contacted, or covered the A1 pulley (P < .001). Lateral extension beyond the flexor tendon axis can be seen (44%). Trigger finger and tenosynovitis were rare. However, volume and SI dimension of fibromas were associated with tenosynovitis (P < .0001) and all nine patients with concomitant trigger finger had fibromas within 1 cm from the A1 pulley.ConclusionsThe Comb Sign can aid in sonographic diagnosis of PF. Lateral extension of fibromas can occur. Most palmar fibromas have a significant intimate association with the A1 pulley, and presence of trigger finger with adjacent palmar fibroma can exist and is important for hand surgeons to know preoperatively.

Abstract Background We sought to evaluate the intermediate term outcomes of trapeziectomy with double Mini TightRope suture suspensionplasty and flexor carpi radialis to abductor pollicis longus imbrication for the treatment of basilar thumb joint arthritis. Case Description We performed a retrospective review of patients from 2012 to 2021 at a single institution within a standardized protocol. Thirty-nine patients (46 thumbs) with a mean age of 61 years and clinical follow-up of 2.8 years met our inclusion criteria. Grip strength increased from 13.8 kg preoperatively to 20.3 kg postoperatively. Appositional pinch strength increased from 3.7 to 5.7 kg, while oppositional pinch strength also increased from 2.8 to 4.4 kg. Trapezial space ratio was well maintained at 0.36 postoperatively compared with 0.46 preoperatively at a mean radiographic follow-up of 2.2 years. Literature Review and Clinical Relevance Results from our series demonstrate predictable outcomes with reduced pain levels, increased grip and pinch strengths, improved function, and preserved range of motion with few complications. Level of Evidence III therapeutic. Trial Registration Not applicable.

Abstract This study aimed to describe the technique, indications, and advantages of the single-portal arthroscopic approach for the diagnosis and staging of chronic radial-sided disorders, including scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) tear, scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) deformities. The single portal technique was used in 138 patients affected by suspected SLIL lesions, SLAC and SNAC wrist injuries with positive clinical symptoms and inconclusive imaging (X-ray and MRI). It was used to grade the nature of the SLIL lesion and the extension of the osteochondral damage in the SLAC and SNAC wrist deformity to guide appropriate treatment. Patients were divided into group 1 (SLIL: 45 cases), group 2a (SLAC: 65 cases), and group 2b (SNAC: 28 cases). In group 1, stage 4 SLIL lesions were confirmed in 36 cases and 9 were assessed as SLAC wrist deformity. In group 2a, single-portal arthroscopy confirmed the preoperative diagnosis in 74% of cases. In the remaining 26% of patients, arthroscopy modified the preoperative diagnosis: 1 case of SLAC 1 resulted in SLAC 2, 14 cases of SLAC 2 resulted in SLAC 3, 1 case of SLAC 3 resulted in SLAC 2. A case of SLAC 2 turned out to be an SLIL lesion stage 4. In group 2b, single-portal arthroscopy confirmed the preoperative diagnosis in 86% of cases. In the remaining 14% (4 cases), it modified the preoperative diagnosis: 1 of SNAC 1 resulted in SNAC 2 and the other in SNAC 3, 1 case of SNAC 2 turned out to be an SNAC 3, and 1 case of SNAC 3 resulted in SNAC 4. Single-portal wrist arthroscopy modified the preoperative diagnosis of wrist pathology in 42 patients over 138 cases. The use of single-portal wrist arthroscopy should be considered in the evaluation of the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints to allow accurate visualization of the joint surfaces for surgeon and patient planning. Observational study level of evidence IV.

Abstract Background Salvage procedures for failed total wrist arthroplasty have variable results and limitations such as donor site morbidity, malunion, delayed or nonunion. We present a case of substantial bone loss after failed wrist arthroplasty and a surgical technique in which the distal ulna is transferred and intussuscepted to achieve union between the residual distal radius and metacarpals. Case Description A 48-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis presented with wrist prosthetic joint infection 16 years after total wrist arthroplasty. With extensive bone loss following implant removal and multiple debridements, the remaining distal ulna was resected and intussuscepted between the residual radius and second and third metacarpals. The patient achieved incorporation of the graft at 12 weeks and fusion at 20 weeks, with resolution of pain and restoration of digit function at 2 years. Literature Review Standard means of wrist arthrodesis utilizing iliac crest autograft and femoral head allograft may be limited to address substantial bone loss following total wrist implant removal. Intussusception has been utilized in the elbow, hip, and diaphysis to optimize graft–host bone contact and achieve union. While ulna-utilizing procedures have been described for oncologic and traumatic indications, to our knowledge, double intussusception has not been described for salvage procedures after failed wrist arthroplasty. Clinical Relevance Intussuscepting the distal ulna within the distal radius and metacarpals as an interpositional arthrodesis provides autologous graft, increased surface contact, and length restoration in cases of poor bone quality and significant bone loss following revision of a total wrist implant.

Abstract The scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) joint is involved in load transmission between the wrist and thumb. A quantitative description of baseline STT joint morphometrics is needed to capture the variation of normal anatomy as well as to guide staging of osteoarthritis. Statistical shape modeling (SSM) techniques quantify variations in three‐dimensional shapes and relative positions. The objectives of this study are to describe the morphology of the STT joint using a multi‐domain SSM. We asked: (1) What are the dominant modes of variation that impact bone and articulation morphology at the STT joint, and (2) what are the morphometrics of SSM‐generated STT joints? Thirty adult participants were recruited to a computed tomography study of normal wrist imaging and biomechanics. Segmentations of the carpus were converted to three‐dimensional triangular surface meshes. A multi‐domain, particle‐based entropy system SSM was used to quantify variation in carpal bone shape and position as well as articulation morphology. Articular surface areas and interosseous proximity distributions were calculated between mesh vertex pairs on adjacent bones within distance (2.0 mm) and surface‐normal angular (35°) thresholds. In the SSM, the first five modes of variation captured 76.2% of shape variation and contributed to factors such as bone scale, articular geometries, and carpal tilt. Median interosseous proximities—a proxy for joint space—were 1.39 mm (scaphotrapezium), 1.42 mm (scaphotrapezoid), and 0.61 mm (trapeziotrapezoid). This study quantifies morphological and articular variations at the STT joint, presenting a range of normative anatomy. The range of estimated interosseous proximities may guide interpretation of imaging‐derived STT joint space.

Abstract Introduction The costo-osteochondral autograft, vascularized medial femoral trochlear osteochondral autograft, and proximal hamate autograft have been used for the reconstruction of unsalvageable proximal pole scaphoid nonunions. Our hypothesis is that there is no difference in carpal kinematics after the proximal pole of the scaphoid is reconstructed with these three graft options. Methods Wireless sensors were mounted to the carpus that was loaded through cyclical motion. Each specimen was tested under a series of the three reconstructed conditions and their kinematics compared. Results No significant differences were found in scapholunate and lunocapitate joint motion during wrist flexion-extension and wrist radioulnar deviation between the three reconstructed conditions (p > 0.05). Discussion and Conclusion There are minimal differences in carpal kinematics when comparing reconstruction of the proximal pole of the scaphoid with the costoosteochondral, medial femoral trochlear, and proximal hamate grafts.

Background: To determine the amount of micromotion during forearm rotation after diaphyseal ulnar shaft fracture or osteotomy. Methods: This was a biomechanical study using 7 paired-matched cadavers. The upper extremity was mounted in a custom rig and the forearm brought through full pronation and supination. A Hall effect sensor was placed at the fracture ends to measure micromotion for all tested conditions. There were 4 conditions tested: (1) intact ulnar shaft with plate to act as a control; (2) transverse fracture/osteotomy without stabilization; (3) fracture/osteotomy with cortical apposition stabilized with plate fixation; and (4) 50% comminuted fracture stabilized with plate. Results: There was a significantly greater amount of fracture site motion in the fracture/osteotomy model without stabilization compared with all other tested conditions ( P < .001, .0001, .0003, respectively). The fracture/osteotomy site with cortical apposition and the comminuted fracture models showed no statistically significant differences in the amount of micromotion compared with each another ( P = .952) or compared with the intact ulnar shaft ( P = .997, .889, respectively). Conclusions: There was no significant difference in the amount of motion between an intact ulnar shaft, an ulnar shaft fracture with cortical apposition stabilized with a plate, and a plated comminuted fracture. These findings may help surgeons decide on their type of postoperative immobilization in the setting of isolated ulnar shaft fractures or ulnar shaft osteotomies stabilized with plate fixation.

Background: Diagnosis of foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears remains difficult. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether dynamic computed tomography (CT) of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) has a higher sensitivity in detecting foveal tears of the TFCC when compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: A database query identified all patients above the age of 18 years with suspected foveal TFCC injuries who underwent bilateral dynamic CT imaging of the DRUJ, static 3T MRI, and subsequent wrist arthroscopy. All patients had evidence of foveal tenderness on clinical examination. The imaging results were validated with wrist arthroscopy. Results: Twelve patients with a mean age of 31 years (range, 18-53 years) were identified. Eight patients were diagnosed with a complete foveal detachment of the TFCC on wrist arthroscopy. Of the 8 patients with a foveal tear on DRUJ arthroscopy, only 3 had a preoperative physical examination suggestive of DRUJ instability. Magnetic resonance imaging identified foveal injuries in 4 of these 8 patients (sensitivity, 50%), and 3 of these were identified as only partial tears. Dynamic CT identified instability of DRUJ in 6 of 8 patients (sensitivity, 75%). Seven of 8 patients had imaging findings suggestive of a foveal tear when including either MRI or CT imaging (sensitivity, 88%). Of the 4 patients with an intact foveal attachment on arthroscopy, 3 (specificity, 75%) had a stable DRUJ on CT and all 4 (specificity, 100%) had an intact foveal attachment on MRI. Conclusion: Sixty-two percent of patients with foveal tears on arthroscopy have a stable DRUJ on clinical examination. When combining MRI and dynamic CT imaging of the DRUJ, the sensitivity of detecting a foveal TFCC tear approaches 88% compared with a gold standard of wrist arthroscopy.

Abstract Background Hemiarthroplasty may be indicated for patients with distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) arthritis. Recently, the use of the pyrocarbon metacarpophalangeal implant has been proposed as a novel means of treating DRUJ arthritis due to the materials improved mechanical properties and wear characteristics. Purpose This study compares midterm outcomes of metallic and pyrocarbon hemiarthroplasties for the treatment of symptomatic DRUJ arthritis. Questions of interest included outcomes and complications. Materials and Methods In total, 32 hemiarthroplasties, 10 metallic and 22 pyrocarbon, were performed between 2010 and 2020 by three surgeons at one tertiary medical center. Patients' retrospective outcomes were extracted from the electronic medical record. Results Postoperatively, the metallic implant group (mean follow-up: 38 months) demonstrated decreased pain but no changes in range of motion. Comparatively, the pyrocarbon group experienced an improved range of motion and postoperative pain (p < 0.05). Radiographic analysis demonstrated 10% of metallic implants and 9% of pyrocarbon implants to have resulted in thinning of the lateral cortex of the radius at the final follow-up. Minor complications in metallic and pyrocarbon implant groups warranting reoperation occurred at rates of 10 and 13.5% while implant failure occurred at a rate of 30 and 18%, respectively. Discussion Within this study, pyrocarbon implants resulted in significant functional improvement with comparable complication and failure rates to the metallic implant. Long-term stability demonstrated efficacy for both techniques in symptomatic DRUJ treatment. Type of Study/Level of Evidence Observational Case Series IV.