Background: There is no consensus on the surgical management of unstable distal radius fractures. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we pool data from trials comparing external fixation and internal fixation for treatment of this injury.

Methods: We searched electronic databases and conference proceedings for published and unpublished trials. Two authors independently screened titles and s, reviewed manuscripts, graded methodological quality, and extracted all relevant information from eligible studies. Data were pooled using fixed-effects and random-effects models with standard mean differences (SMD) and risk ratios for continuous and dichotomous variables, respectively. Heterogeneity across studies was assessed with Forest plots and calculation of the I2 statistic. Subgroup analyses were defined a priori and performed where appropriate.

Results: We pooled data from nine comparative trials, totaling 750 patients (360 fractures treated with external fixation and 397 with internal fixation). Initially, we found substantial heterogeneity between studies and no significant difference according to our primary outcome measure, validated patient-reported outcomes (SMD=0.20, 95% confidence interval=[−0.12, 0.51], p=0.22, I2=65%). However, when we grouped studies by plate type, we eliminated heterogeneity within each subgroup and found locking volar plates demonstrated significantly better patient-reported outcomes compared to external fixation (SMD=1.30, 95% CI=[0.74, 1.86], p< 0.00001, I2=0%). Additionally, we found internal fixation yielded significantly better recovery of forearm supination and restoration of volar tilt (SMD=0.31, 95% CI=[0.15, 0.47], p=0.0002, I2=0; SMD=0.57, 95% CI=[0.57, 0.78], p< 0.00001, I2=0, respectively). Subgroup analyses showed external fixation yielded better wrist flexion among randomized studies (SMD= 0.43, p< 0.003, 95% CI=[ 0.67, 0.20], I2=0), and there was no significant difference in grip strength among studies with high methodological quality (SMD= 0.08, 95% CI=[−0.34, 0.18], p=0.54, I2=0%).

Conclusions: Open reduction and internal fixation of unstable distal radius fractures yields greater recovery of forearm supination, better restoration of anatomic volar tilt, and, for locking volar plates in particular, superior patient-reported function. External fixation may result in better wrist flexion, but no difference exists in terms of grip strength.

Purpose: Presently, tension band figure-of-eight fixation of olecranon fractures is usually performed with stainless steel wire. A polyethylene cable cerclage has been proposed as an alternative to lessen the complications associated with wire. This study compared the stability of tension band constructs for olecranon fracture fixation using a polyethylene cable cerclage or a stainless steel wire cerclage.

Methods: Ten matched pairs of fresh-frozen cadaveric elbows, without radiographic abnormality, were selected for the study. In each specimen, a transverse fracture was created by an osteotomy at the middle of the sigmoid notch of the olecranon. One elbow of each pair was randomized for tension band fixation with a figure-of-eight construct while the other was fixed by tension banding with a loop cerclage. Two different materials, stainless steel wire and isoelastic polyethylene cable, were randomly selected to create the cerclage constructs in each elbow. The triceps tendon was controlled and cyclic loads were applied to the dorsal cortex of the ulna 8 cm distal to the fracture site to create a bending moment. The elbow was initially preconditioned at 45 N for 100 cycles, followed by four periods of 300 cycles each, from 45 N to 120 N in 25 N increments. Dynamic and static fracture gap for the different configurations and materials were recorded.

Results: No difference in static gap was found between the metal figure-of-eight, cable figure-of-eight and cable loop constructs (p> 0.05). The metal loop was found to have significantly greater gap (p=0.0013) than the other 3 constructs. No difference was observed in dynamic gap at the peak loads for any of the constructs (p=0.3379).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the biomechanical performance of tension band fixation in an olecranon fracture model using a polyethylene cable in either figure-of-eight or loop construct is similar to that of the stainless steel wire figure-of-eight construct and should be considered as an option to the traditional stainless steel wire. This type of soft and tissue tolerant fixation may lessen the known clinical complications of wire fixation while providing equivalent stability under physiologic loads which would permit early rehabilitation.

Purpose: Distal radius fractures are common and rising in incidence as orthopaedists treat an increasingly aged population. Both external fixation and volar plating have demonstrated satisfactory results, however the orthopaedic literature lacks comparative data on radial column plating. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare functional and radiographic data from patients randomized to three surgical modalities – external fixation, volar plating, and radial column plating.

Method: This study included 40 patients with closed, unilateral, unstable distal radius fractures distributed as follows: 20 patients treated with external fixation, 10 patients with volar plating, and 10 patients with radial column plating. When classified according to the OTA system, the fractures included types A3, B3, and C1 C3. Patients were followed post-operatively at 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, and 52 weeks. At each visit, patients completed a DASH questionnaire, grip and lateral pinch strength, and range of motion for both wrists. Radiographs were evaluated for lateral tilt, radial inclination, ulnar variance and radial height. Statistical analyses employed single-factor three-way ANOVA of all outcomes at each follow-up period.

Results: No significant difference (p> 0.05) was found between mean DASH scores at each follow-up period for all three patient groups. However, each group achieved significant improvement in DASH scores at 1-year follow-up compared to baseline scores (external fixation, p0.05), with final flexion-extension and supination-pronation ranging 78–94% and 92–96% (of the un-injured wrist), respectively. All radiographic measurements demonstrated no significant differences. Reduction was maintained among all three groups without implant failure or complications.

Conclusion: At all follow-up periods, analysis of functional and radiographic outcomes showed no significant difference among all groups. Based on this data, no one method of fixation is superior to the others, giving orthopaedists multiple options for surgically reducing the unstable distal radius. Moreover, the diversity in approach of these methods allows additional flexibility in selecting an appropriate technique for each patient.

Introduction and Aims: While successful long-term results have been shown for ligament reconstruction–tendon interposition arthroplasty for treatment of thumb basal joint osteoarthritis, the need for invasive ligament reconstruction has not been established. In this study we describe long-term results utilising the technique of tendon interposition arthroplasty with dynamic tendon transfer and capsulorrhaphy.

Method: Twenty-four thumbs (21 patients) were evaluated at an average of 7.1 years (1.8–19.5 years) post-procedure. Capsulorrhaphy was performed utilising APL tendon slips where tissue was insufficient. The APB origin was advanced via tendon transfer (FCR to APB), providing a stabilising abductor moment. Subjective assessment was performed using Visual Analogue Scores (VAS), Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, Hand (DASH) scores, and patient satisfaction scales. Objective assessment included post-operative range of motion (ROM), grip/pinch strength, and radiographs for interposition arthroplasty height.

Results: Twenty of 21 patients (95%) were satisfied and described results as either good or excellent. Twenty of 21 patients (95%) would undergo surgery again. Mean VAS was 8.7 at rest and 10.2 with activity (0, no pain; 100, maximum pain). Mean DASH score was 16.9 (range from 0, no difficulty performing daily tasks to 100, unable to perform daily tasks). ROM, grip, lateral and tip pinch strengths were comparable with those of the contralateral thumb. AP radiographs showed preservation in 12 of 12 patients (100%). Fourteen of 21 patients received the procedure on their dominant hand.

Conclusion: Treatment of basal joint osteoarthritis with our technique provided stable and functional reconstructions, resulting in excellent pain relief. Results were comparable to, or better than, those previously cited in the literature for alternative procedures. These results suggest that dogma requiring static ligament reconstruction or suspension may need to be re-evaluated.

Introduction and Aims: The volar carpal ganglion (VCG) is a common benign tumor of the hand complicated by multiple recurrences with conventional treatment. Despite being a common condition, we know of no report describing post-operative functional outcome. We evaluated functional outcome, pain, scarring, and recurrence after VCG excision in the last 15 years.

Method: Twenty-eight patients were considered for inclusion in this study. All patients had been surgically treated for volar carpal ganglia in the last 15 years. Of these, 16 were available for follow-up after exclusion of patients who had since deceased, moved, or were otherwise lost to follow-up. Mean follow-up period was 55 months (nine–135 months). Functional outcome of the upper extremity was evaluated using the standard DASH questionnaire. DASH scores can range from zero (no difficulty in performing daily tasks) to 100 (unable to perform daily tasks). Pain, scarring, and recurrence were also assessed.

Results: Sixteen patients who underwent surgical excision of their recurrent volar carpal ganglions were available for follow-up at the time of the study. They included six men and 10 women, with a mean age of 47 (range 11–70 years). The duration of symptoms prior to excision ranged from two to 50 months. Pain was the main reason for surgery while one patient reported that surgery was performed for cosmetic reasons. There were eight patients in the nine-month to three-year follow-up period and the average DASH score was 7.6. The four patients in the three to five-year follow-up period had an average DASH of 8.1. The four patients in the five plus years of follow-up had an average DASH of 1.7. The improvement in functional outcome correlated with time since surgery, however these differences were not statistically significant. Two of the 16 patients had recurrences within six months after excision. Increased pain was reported in these patients only. No patients complained of significant scarring post-operatively.

Conclusion: Multiple treatment modalities including aspiration and surgery are discussed in the literature with great outcome variability. Our series is the first long-term functional assessment after VCG excision. Thus, surgery is an option for treatment of this common condition as evidenced by low recurrence and DASH scores and high patient satisfaction.