Using a reverse engineering capability to quantify the factors that control the rigid body mechanics of the wrist, a mathematical forward animation capability and model of wrist motion that allows the carpus to move under its own rules is being developed. This characterises the isometric connections, from which was developed the Stable Central Column Theory of Carpal Mechanics - which incorporates the Law of Rules Based Motion. This work has now advanced to the ability to reapply the extracted rules to allow rules-based rigid body reanimation of an individual wrist. As each wrist is unique, there is a given reality that each reanimation must be based on an individual wrist's unique rules, and the aspiration to create a standard or normal wrist is unrealistic. Using True Life Anatomy (Adelaide, Aust) analysis software, the specific rules (morphology / connectivity / interaction / loading) of individual wrists have been characterised, and then reapplied in a rigid body reanimation environment using Adams (MSC Software, U.S.) software. In the preliminary application of this biomechanics environment, by using the reverse engineering / forward reanimation process, wrist motion can be recreated - based purely on the unique rules, extracted from individual wrists. Instability of the proximal scaphoid was evident in several of the animations, and there was confirmation that the spatial attachment points of the isometric constraints are very exacting. The actual attachment and specific morphology of the carpal bones varied between individual wrists. Using a reverse engineering and then forward reanimation process, we have been able to recreate wrist motion using the rigid body mechanics based on the Law of Rules Based Motion. Further work is required, but the potential to apply “what if” virtual surgery options to an individual injured wrist and more precisely characterise and test solutions to wrist dysfunction are becoming realised

Aim: Because of the low prevalence, there is a poor evidence on the effective management of bone and joint infections of the carpus and metacarpus. We therefore studied the outcomes of patients undergoing surgical treatment at our department. Method: We conducted a retrospective study on all patients operated on because of osteomyelitis of the carpus and metacarpus between January 1998 and June 2004. Main study endpoint were the infection controll rate at end of treatment and at time of follow-up. Results: Of eleven subjects (nine men, two women) with a median age of 43 years (range, 19 to 79 years) serial débridement with temporary wound closure and surgical fixation proved successful in ten cases. We identified causative pathogens in ten cases (S. aureus: n=3, P. aeruginosa: n=3, mixed: n=4) by intraoperative biopsy. Eight subjects received local or free tissue flaps. A 73 year old man died in hospital. Follow-up information was available for eight patients after a median of 19,5 months (range: 3 to 61 months). Seven of them did not show signs of recurrent infection. Conclusion: Adhering to accepted standards of treating osteomyelitis, satisfactory control rates in carpal and metacarpal infection can be achieved while salvaging the hand

Severe crush injuries affecting the bones of the carpus are rare. We review the nine cases that have previously been described and report four additional cases which we have treated and followed up. All 13 present remarkable similarities, with disruption of the carpal arch through the capitate-hamate articulation distally and the piso-triquetral joint proximally. Three slightly different variations of this pattern of fracture-dislocation are identified. The flexor retinaculum must be involved to allow the displacement which is seen, and there is usually an extensive laceration of the thenar eminence. Treatment by closed reduction is usually successful. Long-term follow-up shows that, in the absence of nerve or vascular damage, the results are surprisingly good

1. Excision of the proximal row of the carpus is a useful procedure, with a limited application in patients with ununited fractures of the scaphoid, Kienböck's disease, dislocation of the lunate bone, unreduced mid-carpal dislocations and similar injuries which do not respond to conservative management. 2. It is an acceptable alternative to arthrodesis, even when the wrist is likely to be subjected to heavy use. 3. In the event of failure arthrodesis can still be carried out. 4. Advanced degenerative changes are a contra-indication but mild to moderate changes do not appear to affect the results

Background: Osteoid Osteomas were first described by Bergstrand (1930), and were later elaborated by Jaffe (1935). They account for 12% of all benign bone tumors. Approximately 6–8% of lesions occur in the hand, and can be extremely difficult to diagnose. Aims: A retrospective review of osteoid osteomas from the Scottish Bone Tumor Registry is presented focusing on the unusual clinical features of lesions of the carpus and hand. Results: 19 patients (8 male, 11 female) were identified from the registry. The mean age at presentation was 27.5 Yrs (10–56 Yrs). 78% of lesions occurred within 2nd–3rd decade of life. Pain over the involved area most noticeably at night, was the usual presentation. 21% gave history of associated trauma. Phalangeal lesions accounted for 68.4% tumors with the proximal phalanx predominating.4 lesions involved the distal phalanx. There were 3 metacarpal and 3 carpal lesions. Carpal bones involved included the Capitate (2), and the Trapezium (1). Clubbing was noticed in distal phalanx lesions. The mean time from presentation to diagnosis was 5.6 months. 9 patients were initially misdiagnosed as having either a traumatic or infective condition.3 patients required a bone scan for diagnosis. All patients underwent surgical excision, with 2 requiring bone grafting. Follow up ranged from 1–9 Yrs (mean 3Yrs). There were no instances of recurrence or spontaneous regression. Discussion: Osteoid Osteoma is an infrequent tumor of the hand. Absence of typical pain pattern, unobtrusive radiographic features (absence of reactive bone, inapparent nidus), and variations in the histological picture make diagnosis in this region difficult. Lesions are easily misdiagnosed and successful treatment often delayed. Isotope bone scan is diagnostic and CT accurately visualizes the nidus. Awareness of these characteristics may aid early diagnosis. Surgical excision is usually curative and has excellent prognosis

Aims

Patients with midcarpal instability are difficult to manage. It is a rare condition, and few studies have reported the outcomes of surgical treatment. No prospective or retrospective study has reported the results of arthroscopic palmar capsuloligamentous suturing. Our aim was to report the results of a prospective study of arthroscopic suture of this ligament complex in patients with midcarpal instability.

Aims

A conventional arthroscopic capsuloligamentous repair is a reliable surgical solution in most patients with scapholunate instability. However, this repair does not seem to be sufficient for more advanced injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional results of a wide arthroscopic dorsal capsuloligamentous repair (WADCLR) in the management of severe scapholunate instability.

1. A farmer who owned cattle infected with brucellosis presented with a painful, swollen wrist. Osteolytic lesions were seen radiologically. The wrist was explored. Histological features were those of a subacute granuloma. Brucella abortus biotype I was grown.

2. The clinical diagnosis, bone and joint radiology, pathology and microbiology are discussed.

Purpose: This retrospective analysis was performed to determine the long-term usefulness of carpectomy and to define prognostic factors.

Material and methods: Forty-four patients were operated. There mean age was 39.2 years, and mean follow-up was 17 years (10–35 years). Twenty-two patients had osteoarthritis, one STT, thirteen SNAC-wrist, two SLAC-wrist, and three radiocarpal osteoarthritis. The wrists were free of degenerative lesions in 22 cases: eight Kienböck disease, five longstanding perilunar dislocations, six fracture sequelae, and one rheumatoid polyarthritis. Seventeen patients had had several procedures before the present operation. The dorsal approach was used for all patients except five. Complementary styloidectomy was associated in two cases. clinical and radiological outcome was assessed at one, five and fifteen years. Factors predictie of outcome were analysed with the Student test and the Man and Whitney test.

Results: The pain score (Cooney scale 1 to 4) was 3.19 preoperatively and 1.56, 1.88 and < 2 at one, five and fifteen years respectively. Flexion amplitude improved from 44° preoperatively to 61°, 68° and 62° at one, five and fifteen years respectively. Mean grip force, compared with the other wrist was 57.5%, 75% and 64% at one, five and fifteen years. Radiographically, at fifteen years 80% of the patients had a centred capitatum on the AP view of the lunar facet. On the lateral view, 56% of the patients exhibited anterior translation of the apitatum and 37% were centred. There was a degradation of the radiocapitum space requiring revision for arthrodesis in five cases.

Discussion, conclusion: This study confirms the long-term preservation of outcome after proximal carpectomy: 89% of the patients were satisfied at fifteen years. These findings also indicate that reconstruction of recent trauma (fracture-dislocation) produces variable results. For patients with grade II or II osteoarthritis (SNAC or SLAC-wrist) carpectomy should be reserved for selected patients with occupational or sports activities not requiring grip force. For grade III wrists, carpectomy can be proposed for elderly patients with limited activity. Grade IV is a contraindication for carpectomy. We do not recommend this procedure for patients with rheumatoid arthritis or Kienböck disease.

The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of dorsal intercarpal ligament capsulodesis for the treatment of static scapholunate instability at a minimum follow-up of four years. A total of 59 patients who underwent capsulodesis for this condition were included in a retrospective analysis after a mean of 8.25 years (4.3 to 12). A total of eight patients underwent a salvage procedure at a mean of 2.33 years (0.67 to 7.6) and were excluded. The mean range of extension/flexion was 88° (15° to 135°) and of ulnar/radial deviation was 38° (0° to 75°) at final follow-up. The mean Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score and Mayo wrist scores were 28 (0 to 85) and 61 (0 to 90), respectively. After significant improvement immediately post-operatively (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively), the mean scapholunate and radiolunate angles deteriorated to 70° (40° to 90°) and 8° (-15° to 25°), respectively, at final follow-up, which were not significantly different from their pre-operative values (p = 0.6 and p = 0.4, respectively). The mean carpal height index decreased significantly from 1.53 (1.38 to 1.65) to 1.48 (1.29 to 1.65) indicating progressive carpal collapse (p < 0.001); 40 patients (78%) had radiological evidence of degenerative arthritis.

Capsulodesis did not maintain carpal reduction over time. Although the consequent ongoing scapholunate instability resulted in early arthritic degeneration, most patients had acceptable long-term function of the wrist.

A rare case of radiocarpal dislocation is presented. The lunate and proximal pole of the scaphoid were displaced in a volar and proximal direction. The injury was missed initially and the patient was subsequently operated on six weeks later. Open reduction and internal fixation of the scaphoid was performed and this was followed by an uneventful postoperative period, with a satisfactory functional outcome at the eight-year follow-up, despite carpal instability non-dissociative-dorsal intercalated segmental instability configuration of the carpus. We believe that although open reduction in neglected cases carries the potential risks of avascular necrosis and nonunion of the affected carpal bones, an attempt should be made to restore the anatomy of the carpus

Purpose: The synovectomy-reaxation-stabilisation (SRS) procedure classically involves tenosynovectomy of the extensors, articulr synovectomy, partial deinnervation of the wrist, and tendon transfer. The purpose of this study was to: 1) evaluate functional and radiographic results, 2) search for possible correlations between results and the extent of articular synovectomy or type of tendon transfer. Material and methods: Between 1984 and 1998, an SRS procedure was performed in 75 patients, 14 were excluded: seven had died, five were lost to folow-u and two had had wrist arthrodesis. A total of 73 wrists were analysed in 61 patients. Mean follow-up was 70 months and mean patient age was 53 years. Functional assessment was based on the Gschwend pain scale. Results: Before surgery, 94% of the patients had grade III or IV pain. At last follow-up, 93% of them grade 0 or I. The gain in pain was greatest for patients with severe carpitis. At last follow-up, the wrist was stiff; stiffness basically involved flexion with 43° pre and 27° postoperatively, radial inclination 13° pre and 9° postoperatively, and pronation in patients with advanced Larsen grade preoperatively. Extension, ulnar inclination, and supination were improved 5° to 10°. Extension of the synovectomy to carpal joints had a stiffening effect. Before the operation, 25 wrists were in Larsen grades 0, 1 and 2 and 48 wrists were in Larsen grades 3 or 4. At last follow-up, there were nine wrists in Larsen grades 0, 1, or 2 and 64 in Larsen grades 3 or 4. Carpitis thus continued to evolve and the height of the carpus declined. Ulnar translation of the carpus progressed a mean 2 mm. Spontaneous radial inclination of the wrist was aggravated by a mean 3°. The frontal position of the wrist was better after transfer of the long radial extensor of the carpus on the short radial extensor of the carpus than for transfer on the ulnar extensor of the carpus or without transfer. Discussion: Our pain results are in agreement with data in the literature but we did not observe preserved or improved mobility. Extended synovectomy appeared to have a stiffening effect. Progression of the ulnar translation of the carpus was less pronounced with simple resection of the head of the ulna. It was better to transfer the long radial extensor of the carpus on the short radial extensor of the carpus to correct for frontal deviation of the carpus

Aim: The carpus is an intricate series of intercalated segments that are controlled by specific ligamentous constraints. During radial deviation (RD), the lateral carpal column shortens but the apparent differential rotation between the scaphoid, lunate and trapezium is not well explained by current theories. This project aims to demonstrate the 3D excursion of the various wrist components and identify those rules that guide and control such motions. Materials and Methods: By animating 3D CT scans of the normal and abnormal wrist in various positions of coronal and sagittal deviation, the dynamic intercarpal relationships can be demonstrated, ligamentous constraints inferred, and reconstructive options identified and assessed. This involved the development of specific surface rendering software that created a true 3D model (within a graphics animation environment) of the carpus in various positions of sagittal as well as coronal deviation. The intercarpal isometric points that correspond to known ligaments were identified, and motion of the bones plotted through space. Results: During ulnar to RD, the trapezium, which is firmly attached to the scaphoid, supinates around the foreshortening lateral column. Further, the axial rotation of the scaphoid in combination with its “scaphoid” shape produces an increase in the apparent scaphoid flexion in the sagittal plane. The scaphoid acts as a rotating link between the lunate and trapezium, and lunate stability is explained by the obligate translation combined with the obliquity of the (volar) radio-lunate ligament. “Virtual” scapho-trapezial, radio-capitate and radio-lunate ligaments are evident, however, the scapho-lunate connection is less rigid. Discussion: An understanding of the fixed constraints (isometric points) and motion rules and patterns within the carpus allows for injury characterisation and the development of more logical reconstructive interventions that attempt to replicate normal kinetics. Specific motion rules of the carpus have been established allowing virtual reconstructive surgery on normal and pathological wrists. Ref:. www.madacademy.com.au/tla. , . www.truelifeanatomy.com

Introduction and Aims: Kinematic and morphologic suggests the scaphoid may be moved differently between individuals. This study therefore aims to determine to what extent the morphology and ligamentous support of the scaphoid supports the suggestion of variable scaphoid motion. The influence of scaphoid motion on the remainder of the carpus will be considered. Method: Embalmed specimens were either dissected (n=50) using 3x loupes, sectioned histologically (n=30) or sectioned macroscopically (n=20). Results: Two distinct morphological patterns were observed. Some scaphoids had a shallow capitate facet and were supported by a series of ligaments that may prevent flexion/extension, but allow/facilitate rotation about the longitudinal axis of the scaphoid. Others had deeply concave capitate facets and were supported by ligaments that may prevent rotation but allow flexion/ extension. These patterns may be continuous throughout the proximal row of the carpus. Conclusion: Two morphological patterns may dictate the mechanical pattern of the carpus. A flexing and extending scaphoid is restricted by the capitate to its radial position, while a rotating scaphoid may be allowed to translate along the proximoulnar aspect of the capitate