Aims. Base of thumb osteoarthritis (BTOA) is a common age-related disease which has a significant negative impact upon quality of life. Our aim was to assess current UK practice in secondary care with regard to the nature of non-surgical treatments, the surgical procedures most commonly performed, and factors influencing the surgical decision-making process. Methods. Ten consecutive patients undergoing surgery for BTOA between March 2017 and May 2019 were prospectively identified in 15 UK centres. Demographic details, duration of symptoms, radiological grade, non-surgical management strategies, and surgery conducted were recorded. A supplementary consultant questionnaire consisting of four multiple-choice-questions (MCQ) based on hypothetical clinical scenarios was distributed. Results. A total of 150 patients were identified with a mean age of 64 years (SD 9), comprising 119 females and 31 males. Median duration of symptoms prior to surgery was 24 months (Interquartile range (IQR) 12 to 40). Hand therapy was used in 67 patients (45%), splints in 80 (53%), and 121 patients (81%) received one or more intra-articular injections, of which 81 (67%) were image-guided (14 (12%)
The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in functional outcome after repair and non-repair of the pronator quadratus muscle in patients undergoing surgical treatment for a distal radial fracture with volar plating. A total of 72 patients with a distal radial fracture were included in this randomized clinical trial. They were allocated to have the pronator quadratus muscle repaired or not, after volar locked plating of a distal radial fracture. The patients, the assessor, the primary investigator, and the statistician were blinded to the allocation. Randomization was irreversibly performed using a web application that guaranteed a secure and tamper-free assignment. The primary outcome measure was the Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) after 12 months. Secondary outcomes included the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, pronation strength, grip strength, the range of pronation and supination, complications, and the operating time.Aims
Patients and Methods
We hypothesised that the use of pulsed electromagnetic
field (PEMF) bone growth stimulation in acute scaphoid fractures
would significantly shorten the time to union and reduce the number
of nonunions in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre
trial. A total of 102 patients (78 male, 24 female; mean age 35
years (18 to 77)) from five different medical centres with a unilateral
undisplaced acute scaphoid fracture were randomly allocated to PEMF
(n = 51) or placebo (n = 51) and assessed with regard to functional
and radiological outcomes (multiplanar reconstructed CT scans) at
6, 9, 12, 24 and 52 weeks. The overall time to clinical and radiological healing
did not differ significantly between the active PEMF group and the
placebo group. We concluded that the addition of PEMF bone growth
stimulation to the conservative treatment of acute scaphoid fractures
does not accelerate bone healing. Cite this article:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate treatment
results following arthroscopic triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC)
debridement for recalcitrant ulnar wrist pain. According to the
treatment algorithm, 66 patients (36 men and 30 women with a mean
age of 38.1 years (15 to 67)) with recalcitrant ulnar wrist pain
were allocated to undergo ulnar shortening osteotomy (USO; n = 24),
arthroscopic TFCC repair (n = 15), arthroscopic TFCC debridement
(n = 14) or prolonged conservative treatment (n = 13). The mean
follow-up was 36.0 months (15 to 54). Significant differences in
Hand20 score at 18 months were evident between the USO group and
TFCC debridement group (p = 0.003), and between the TFCC repair
group and TFCC debridement group (p = 0.029). Within-group comparisons showed
that Hand20 score at five months or later and pain score at two
months or later were significantly decreased in the USO/TFCC repair
groups. In contrast, scores in the TFCC debridement/conservative
groups did not decrease significantly. Grip strength at 18 months
was significantly improved in the USO/TFCC repair groups, but not
in the TFCC debridement/conservative groups. TFCC debridement shows
little benefit on the clinical course of recalcitrant ulnar wrist
pain even after excluding patients with ulnocarpal abutment or TFCC
detachment from the fovea from the indications for arthroscopic
TFCC debridement. Cite this article:
