We studied radiographs of the wrists of 120 healthy volunteers in order to determine the normal range of
Negative
Aims. Acute and chronic injuries of the interosseus membrane can result in longitudinal instability of the forearm. Reconstruction of the central band of the interosseus membrane can help to restore biomechanical stability. Different methods have been used to reconstruct the central band, including tendon grafts, bone-ligament-bone grafts, and synthetic grafts. This Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, and Long-term (IDEAL) phase 1 study aims to review the clinical results of reconstruction using a synthetic braided cross-linked graft secured at either end with an Endobutton to restore the force balance between the bones of the forearm. Methods. An independent retrospective review was conducted of a consecutive series of 21 patients with longitudinal instability injuries treated with anatomical central band reconstruction between February 2011 and July 2019. Patients with less than 12 months’ follow-up or who were treated acutely were excluded, leaving 18 patients in total. Preoperative clinical and radiological assessments were compared with prospectively gathered data using range of motion and the abbreviated version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH) functional outcome score. Results. Of the 18 patients (nine male, nine female) who met the inclusion criteria, the median follow-up was 8.5 years (interquartile range (IQR) 5.6 to 10). Their mean age was 49 years (SD 11). The mean extension improved significantly from 38° (SD 15°) to 24° (SD 9°) (p = 0.027), with a mean flexion-extension arc change from 81° (SD 27°) to 93° (SD 30°) (p = 0.172) but with no forearm rotational improvement (p = 0.233) at latest follow-up. The QuickDASH functional score improved significantly from 80 (SD 14) to 52 (SD 26) following reconstruction (p = 0.031), but generally the level of disability remains high. Radiological assessment showed no progression of proximal migration of the radius, with a stable interbutton distance and
Aims. The study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic debridement and partial excision in patients with traumatic central tears of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), and to identify prognostic factors associated with unfavourable clinical outcomes. Methods. A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients arthroscopically diagnosed with Palmer 1 A lesions who underwent arthroscopic debridement and partial excision from March 2009 to February 2021, with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. Patients were assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, Mayo Wrist Score (MWS), and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain. The poor outcome group was defined as patients whose preoperative and last follow-up clinical score difference was less than the minimal clinically important difference of the DASH score (10.83). Baseline characteristics, arthroscopic findings, and radiological factors (ulnar variance, MRI, or arthrography) were evaluated to predict poor clinical outcomes. Results. A total of 114 patients were enrolled in this study, with a mean follow-up period of 29.8 months (SD 14.4). The mean DASH score improved from 36.5 (SD 21.5) to 16.7 (SD 14.3), the mean MWS from 59.7 (SD 17.9) to 79.3 (SD 14.3), and the mean VAS pain score improved from 5.9 (SD 1.8) to 2.2 (SD 2.0) at the last follow-up (all p < 0.001). Among the 114 patients, 16 (14%) experienced poor clinical outcomes and ten (8.8%) required secondary ulnar shortening osteotomy. Positive
Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are common injuries that represent 17% of all adult upper extremity fractures. Some fractures deemed appropriate for nonsurgical management following closed reduction and casting exhibit delayed secondary displacement (greater than two weeks from injury) and require late surgical intervention. This can lead to delayed rehabilitation and functional outcomes. This study aimed to determine which demographic and radiographic features can be used to predict delayed fracture displacement. This is a multicentre retrospective case-control study using radiographs extracted from our Analytics Data Integration, Measurement and Reporting (DIMR) database, using diagnostic and therapeutic codes. Skeletally mature patients aged 18 years of age or older with an isolated DRF treated with surgical intervention between two and four weeks from initial injury, with two or more follow-up visits prior to surgical intervention, were included. Exclusion criteria were patients with multiple injuries, surgical treatment with fewer than two clinical assessments prior to surgical treatment, or surgical treatment within two weeks of injury. The proportion of patients with delayed fracture displacement requiring surgical treatment will be reported as a percentage of all identified DRFs within the study period. A multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis was used to assess case-control comparisons, in order to determine the parameters that are mostly likely to predict delayed fracture displacement leading to surgical management. Intra- and inter-rater reliability for each radiographic parameter will also be calculated. A total of 84 age- and sex-matched pairs were identified (n=168) over a 5-year period, with 87% being female and a mean age of 48.9 (SD=14.5) years. Variables assessed in the model included pre-reduction and post-reduction radial height, radial inclination, radial tilt, volar cortical displacement, injury classification, intra-articular step or gap,
Essex-Lopresti injuries are often unrecognized acutely with resulting debilitating adverse effects. Persistent axial forearm instability may affect load transmission at both the elbow and wrist, resulting in significant pain. In the setting of both acute and chronic injuries metallic radial head arthroplasty has been advocated, however there is little information regarding their outcome. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a radial head arthroplasty to address both acute and chronic Essex-Lopresti type injuries. A retrospective review from 2006 to 2016 identified 11 Essex-Lopresti type injuries at a mean follow-up of 18 months. Five were diagnosed and treated acutely at a mean of 11 days (range, 8 to 19 days) from injury, while 6 were treated in a delayed fashion at a mean of 1.9 years (range, 2.7 months to 6.2 years) from injury with a mean 1.5 (range, 0 to 4) prior procedures. The cohort included 10 males with a mean age was 44.5 years (range, 28 to 71 years). A smooth stem, modular radial head arthroplasty was used in all cases. Outcomes included range of motion and radiographic findings such as
Aims. Positive
Ulnocarpal impaction (UCI) is a common cause of ulnar-sided wrist pain. UCI typically occurs in wrists with positive
Purpose: The purpose was to investigate the relationship between distal radius fracture malunion and arm-related disability. Methods: This prospective population-based cohort study included 143 patients above 18 years with acute distal radius fracture treated at one emergency hospital with either closed reduction and cast (55 patients) or with closed reduction and external and/or percutaneous pin fixation (88 patients). The patients were evaluated with the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire at baseline (inquiring about disabilities before fracture) and at 6, 12 and 24 months after the fracture. The 12-month follow-up also included the SF-12 health status questionnaire as well as clinical and radiographic examination. The patients were classified according to the degree of malunion (defined as dorsal tilt >
10 degrees or
A total of 118 consecutive patients with a fracture of the distal radius were treated with a volar locking plate; 50 patients had no ulnar styloid fracture, 41 had a basal ulnar styloid fracture, and 27 had a fracture of the tip of the ulnar styloid. There were no significant differences in radiological and clinical results among the three groups. The outcome was good and was independent of the presence of a fracture of the ulnar styloid. A total of five patients (4.2%) had persistent ulnar-sided wrist pain at final follow-up. Nonunion of the ulnar styloid fracture did not necessarily lead to ulnar wrist pain. Patients with persistent ulnar pain had a higher mean initial
Aims. The primary aim of this study was to assess if traumatic triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears can be treated successfully with immobilization alone. Our secondary aims were to identify clinical factors that may predict a poor prognosis. Methods. This was a retrospective analysis of 89 wrists in 88 patients between January 2015 and January 2019. All patients were managed conservatively initially with either a short-arm or above-elbow custom-moulded thermoplastic splint for six weeks. Outcome measures recorded included a visual analogue scale for pain, Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, and the modified Mayo Wrist Score (MMWS). Patients were considered to have had a poor outcome if their final MMWS was less than 80 points, or if they required eventual surgical intervention. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors for a poor outcome. Results. In total, 76% of wrists (42/55) treated with an above-elbow splint had a good outcome, compared to only 29% (10/34) with a short-arm splint (p < 0.001). The presence of a complete foveal TFCC tear (p = 0.009) and a dorsally subluxated distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) (p = 0.032) were significantly associated with a poor outcome on univariate analysis. Sex, age, energy of injury, hand dominance, manual occupation,
Kienböck’s disease is a form of osteonecrosis affecting the lunate. Its aetiology remains unknown. Morphological variations, such as negative
Distal radius fractures are among the most common fractures seen in the emergency department. Closed reduction can provide definitive management when acceptable radiographic parameters are met. Repeated attempts of closed reduction are often performed to improve the alignment and avoid operative management. However, multiple reduction attempts may worsen dorsal comminution and lead to eventual loss of reduction, resulting in no demonstrable benefit. We hypothesize that compared to one closed reduction attempt, repeated closed reduction of extra-articular, dorsally angulated, displaced distal radius fractures has a low success rate in the prevention of operative fixation and improvement of radiographic parameters. Initial and post reduction radiographs for all distal radius fractures managed at Vancouver General Hospital between 2015 and 2018 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were based on the AO fracture classification and included types 23-A2.1, 23-A2.2 and 23-A3. Exclusion criteria included age less than 18, intra-articular involvement with more than two millimeters of displacement, volar or dorsal Barton fractures, fracture-dislocations, open fractures and volar angulation of the distal segment. Distal radius fractures that met study criteria and underwent two or more attempts of closed reduction were matched by age and gender with fractures that underwent one closed reduction. Radiographic parameters including radial height and inclination,
Distal radius fractures are among the most common fractures seen in the emergency department. Closed reduction can provide definitive management when acceptable radiographic parameters are met. Repeated attempts of closed reduction are often performed to improve the alignment and avoid operative management. However, multiple reduction attempts may worsen dorsal comminution and lead to eventual loss of reduction, resulting in no demonstrable benefit. We hypothesize that compared to one closed reduction attempt, repeated closed reduction of extra-articular, dorsally angulated, displaced distal radius fractures has a low success rate in the prevention of operative fixation and improvement of radiographic parameters. Initial and post reduction radiographs for all distal radius fractures managed at Vancouver General Hospital between 2015 and 2018 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were based on the AO fracture classification and included types 23-A2.1, 23-A2.2 and 23-A3. Exclusion criteria included age less than 18, intra-articular involvement with more than two millimeters of displacement, volar or dorsal Barton fractures, fracture-dislocations, open fractures and volar angulation of the distal segment. Distal radius fractures that met study criteria and underwent two or more attempts of closed reduction were matched by age and gender with fractures that underwent one closed reduction. Radiographic parameters including radial height and inclination,
Aims. To compare operative and nonoperative treatment for displaced distal radius fractures in patients aged over 65 years. Methods. A total of 100 patients were randomized in this non-inferiority trial, comparing cast immobilization with operation with a volar locking plate. Patients with displaced AO/OTA A and C fractures were eligible if one of the following were found after initial closed reduction: 1) dorsal angulation > 10°; 2)
Ulnar shortening osteotomy (USO) is a procedure performed to alleviate ulnar sided wrist pain caused by ulnar impaction syndrome (UIS) and/or triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury. Presently, non-union rates for ulnar shortening osteotomy is quoted to be 0–18% in the literature. However, there is a dearth of literature on the effect of site of osteotomy and plate placement on the rate of complications like a delayed union, symptomatic hardware and need for second surgery for hardware removal. In this study, we performed a multi-centered institutional review of ulnar shortening osteotomies performed, focusing on plate placement (volar vs. dorsal) and osteotomy site (distal vs. proximal) and determining if it plays a role in reducing complications. This study was a multi-centered retrospective chart review. All radiographs and charts for patients that have received USO for UIS or TFCC injury between 2013 and 2017 from hand and wrist fellowship-trained surgeons in Calgary, Alberta and Winnipeg, Manitoba were examined. Basic patient demographics including age, sex, past medical history, and smoking history were recorded. Postoperative complications such as delayed union, non-union, infection, chronic regional pain syndrome, hardware irritation requiring removal were evaluated with a two-year follow-up period. Osteotomy sites were analyzed based on the location in relation to the entire length of the ulna on forearm radiographs. Surgical techniques including volar vs. dorsal plating, oblique vs. transverse osteotomy cuts, and plate type were documented. Continuous variables of interest were summarized as mean or medians with standard deviation or inter-quartile range as appropriate. Differences in baseline characteristics were determined by t-test or one-way ANOVA for continuous variables and chi-square or Fischer exact test for dichotomous variables. All analyses were conducted using SPSS V24.0 (Chicago, IL, USA). All statistical tests were considered significant if p < 0.05. Between 2013–2017 there were 117 ulnar shortening osteotomies performed. The average age of patients was 46.2 ± 16.2, with 62.4% being female. The mean pre-operative
Purpose: We compare the accuracy and precision of patient-specific plastic guides versus computer-assisted navigation for distal radius osteotomy (DRO). We hypothesize that guides would provide similar accuracy and precision compared to computer-assisted surgery, and that they would be faster to use than navigated surgery. Method: We used CT scans, computer models, and planned corrections of radii from seven patients who had previously received computer-assisted DRO. The planned correction included the locations and directions of the screw holes for the fixation plate on the intact deformed radius. Using computer-assisted technique, the surgeon drills the holes for the fixation plate using computer navigation before performing the osteotomy; after cutting the radius, the plate is fixated to the distal radius, and the distal radius is distracted until the holes in the proximal radius align with the holes of the fixation plate. A patient-specific guide can be manufactured that fits on the intact deformed radius to guide the drilling of the screw holes. The guide is designed so that it mates exactly with the dorsal surface of the radius. Each guide was designed using custom software and manufactured in ABS plastic using a 3D printer. The surgeon places the guide on the radius and uses a metal drill sleeve in each guide hole to guide the drilling of the plate screw holes. We manufactured urethane plastic phantoms of the seven deformed radii. Our laboratory experiment had six surgeons each perform four computer-assisted and four patient-specific guide procedures on the phantom radii; the specimen and type of guidance were randomly chosen. The time from the start of the procedure to when the shaping of the distal radius was completed was recorded; we did not record the time required to cut and fixate the radius because this time does not depend on the type of guidance used. The plated phantoms were assessed for errors in
Introduction. The classical Colles fracture (extraarticular, dorsally angulated distal radius fracture) in patients with osteoporotic bone is becoming increasingly more frequent. There still appears to be no clear consensus on the most appropriate surgical management of these injuries. The purpose of this study is to appraise the use of percutaneous extra-focal pinning, in the management of the classical colles fracture. Methods. We retrospectively analysed 72 consecutive cases of Colles fractures treated with interfragmentary K-wire fixation, in female patients over sixty years of age, in two orthopaedic centres, under the care of twelve different orthopaedic surgeons. We correlated the radiographic distal radius measurements (ulnar variance, volar tilt, and radial inclination) at the pre-operative and intra-operative stages with the final radiographic outcome. Result. Mean dorsal angulation was 21° at time of presentation. Closed reduction significantly improved fracture position to a mean of 2.7° volar angulation (p<0.05). Mean angulation at time of k-wire removal was 1.6° dorsal, this was not significant in comparison to post reduction measurements (p< 0.05). Mean
Introduction. Acquired chronic radial head (RH) dislocations present a significant surgical challenge. Co-existing deformity, length discrepancy and RH dysplasia, in multiply operated patients often preclude acute correction. This study reports the clinical and radiological outcomes in children, treated with circular frames for gradual RH reduction. Materials and Methods. Patient cohort from a prospective database was reviewed to identity all circular frames for RH dislocations between 2000–2021. Patient demographics, clinical range and radiographic parameters were recorded. Results. From a cohort of 127 UL frames, 30 chronic RH dislocations (14 anterior, 16 posterior) were identified. Mean age at surgery was 10yrs (5–17). Six pathologies were reported (14 post-traumatic, 11 HME, 2 Nail-Patella, 1 Olliers, OI, Rickets). 70% had a congruent RH reduction at final follow-up. Three cases re-dislocated and 6 had some mild persistent incongruency. Average follow up duration was 4.1yrs (9mnths-11.5yrs). Mean radiographic correction achieved in coronal plane 9. o. , sagittal plane 7. o. and carrying angle 12. o. Mean ulna length gained was 7mm and final
