Aims. Complete
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. This prospective single-centre study was undertaken between March 2012 and May 2022. The primary outcome was to evaluate the functional outcomes of arthroscopic palmar midcarpal suture. The study included 12 patients, eight male and four female, with a mean age of 27.5 years (19 to 42). They were reviewed at three months, six months, and one year postoperatively.Aims
Methods
There is no level I evidence dealing with the optimal period of immobilization for patients with a displaced distal radial fracture following closed reduction. A shorter period might lead to a better functional outcome due to less stiffness and pain. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this period could be safely reduced from six to four weeks. This multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT) included adult patients with a displaced distal radial fracture, who were randomized to be treated with immobilization in a cast for four or six weeks following closed reduction. The primary outcome measure was the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score after follow-up at one year. Secondary outcomes were the abbreviated version of the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score after one year, the functional outcome at six weeks, 12 weeks, and six months, range of motion (ROM), the level of pain after removal of the cast, and complications.Aims
Methods
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. This was a prospective single-centre study undertaken between March 2019 and May 2021. The primary outcome was the evaluation of the reduction of the radiological deformity and the functional outcomes after WADCLR. A secondary outcome was the evaluation of the effectiveness of this technique in patients with the most severe instability (European Wrist Arthroscopy Society (EWAS) stage 5). The patients were reviewed postoperatively at three, six, and 12 months.Aims
Methods
To analyze the short-term outcome of two types of total wrist arthroplasty (TWA) in terms of wrist function, migration, and periprosthetic bone behaviour. A total of 40 patients suffering from non-rheumatoid wrist arthritis were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial comparing the ReMotion and Motec TWAs. Patient-rated and functional outcomes, radiological changes, blood metal ion levels, migration measured by model-based radiostereometric analysis (RSA), bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), complications, loosening, and revision rates at two years were compared.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to investigate whether intraoperative 3D fluoroscopic imaging outperforms dorsal tangential views in the detection of dorsal cortex screw penetration after volar plating of an intra-articular distal radial fracture, as identified on postoperative CT imaging. A total of 165 prospectively enrolled patients who underwent volar plating for an intra-articular distal radial fracture were retrospectively evaluated to study three intraoperative imaging protocols: 1) standard 2D fluoroscopic imaging with anteroposterior (AP) and elevated lateral images (n = 55); 2) 2D fluoroscopic imaging with AP, lateral, and dorsal tangential views images (n = 50); and 3) 3D fluoroscopy (n = 60). Multiplanar reconstructions of postoperative CT scans served as the reference standard.Aims
Methods
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
The aim of the Scaphoid Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Trauma (SMaRT) trial was to evaluate the clinical and cost implications of using immediate MRI in the acute management of patients with a suspected fracture of the scaphoid with negative radiographs. Patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) with a suspected fracture of the scaphoid and negative radiographs were randomized to a control group, who did not undergo further imaging in the ED, or an intervention group, who had an MRI of the wrist as an additional test during the initial ED attendance. Most participants were male (52% control, 61% intervention), with a mean age of 36.2 years (18 to 73) in the control group and 38.2 years (20 to 71) in the intervention group. The primary outcome was total cost impact at three months post-recruitment. Secondary outcomes included total costs at six months, the assessment of clinical findings, diagnostic accuracy, and the participants’ self-reported level of satisfaction. Differences in cost were estimated using generalized linear models with gamma errors.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness of Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation with locking-plate fixation for patients with a dorsally displaced fracture of the distal radius in the five years after injury. We report the five-year follow-up of a multicentre, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. A total of 461 adults with a dorsally displaced fracture of the distal radius within 3 cm of the radiocarpal joint that required surgical fixation were recruited from 18 trauma centres in the United Kingdom. Patients were excluded if the surface of the wrist joint was so badly displaced it required open reduction. In all, 448 patients were randomized to receive either K-wire fixation or locking-plate fixation. In the K-wire group, there were 179 female and 38 male patients with a mean age of 59.1 years (19 to 89). In the locking-plate group, there were 194 female and 37 male patients with a mean age of 58.3 years (20 to 89). The primary outcome measure was the patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE). Secondary outcomes were health-related quality of life using the EuroQol five-dimension three-level (EQ-5D-3L) assessment, and further surgery related to the index fracture.Aims
Patients and Methods
Plate and screw fixation has been the standard treatment for painful conditions of the wrist in non-rheumatoid patients in recent decades. We investigated the complications, re-operations, and final outcome in a consecutive series of patients who underwent wrist arthrodesis for non-inflammatory arthritis. A total of 76 patients, including 53 men and 23 women, with a mean age of 50 years (21 to 79) underwent wrist arthrodesis. Complications and re-operations were recorded. At a mean follow-up of 11 years (2 to 18), 63 patients completed questionnaires, and 57 attended for clinical and radiological assessment.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to test the null hypothesis that there
is no difference, from the payer perspective, in the cost of treatment
of a distal radial fracture in an elderly patient, aged >
65 years,
between open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and closed reduction (CR). Data relating to the treatment of these injuries in the elderly
between January 2007 and December 2015 were extracted using the
Humana and Medicare Advantage Databases. The primary outcome of
interest was the cost associated with treatment. Secondary analysis included
the cost of common complications. Statistical analysis was performed
using a non-parametric Aims
Materials and Methods
We report a new surgical technique for the treatment
of traumatic dislocation of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the
thumb. This is a tenodesis which uses part of the flexor carpi radialis. Between January 2010 and August 2013, 13 patients with traumatic
instability of the CMC joint of the thumb were treated using this
technique. The mean time interval between injury and ligament reconstruction
was 13 days (0 to 42). The mean age of the patients at surgery was
38 years: all were male. At a mean final follow-up of 26 months (24 to 29), no patient
experienced any residual instability. The mean total palmar abduction
of the CMC joint of the thumb was 61° and the mean radial abduction
65° The mean measurements for the uninjured hand were 66° (60° to
73°) and 68° (60° to 75°), respectively. The mean Kapandji thumb
opposition score was 8.5° (8° to 9°). The mean pinch and grip strengths
of the hand were 6.7 kg (3.4 to 8.2) and 40 kg (25 to 49), respectively.
The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire
score was 3 (1 to 6). Based on the Smith and Cooney score, we obtained
a mean score of 85 (75 to 95), which included four excellent, seven
good, and two fair results. Our technique offers an alternative method of treating traumatic
dislocation of the CMC joint of the thumb: it produces a stable
joint and acceptable hand function. Cite this article:
The osteoinductive properties of demineralised
bone matrix have been demonstrated in animal studies. However, its therapeutic
efficacy has yet to be proven in humans. The clinical properties
of AlloMatrix, an injectable calcium-based demineralised bone matrix
allograft, were studied in a prospective randomised study of 50
patients with an isolated unstable distal radial fracture treated
by reduction and Kirschner (K-) wire fixation. A total of 24 patients
were randomised to the graft group (13 men and 11 women, mean age
42.3 years (20 to 62)) and 26 to the no graft group (8 men and 18
women, mean age 45.0 years (17 to 69)). At one, three, six and nine weeks, and six and 12 months post-operatively,
patients underwent radiological evaluation, assessments for range
of movement, grip and pinch strength, and also completed the Disabilities
of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire. At one and six weeks and
one year post-operatively, bone mineral density evaluations of both
wrists were performed. No significant difference in wrist function and speed of recovery,
rate of union, complications or bone mineral density was found between
the two groups. The operating time was significantly higher in the
graft group (p = 0.004). Radiologically, the reduction parameters
remained similar in the two groups and all AlloMatrix extraosseous leakages
disappeared after nine weeks. This prospective randomised controlled trial did not demonstrate
a beneficial effect of AlloMatrix demineralised bone matrix in the
treatment of this category of distal radial fractures treated by
K-wire fixation. Cite this article:
The aims of this study were to assess the efficacy
of a newly designed radiological technique (the radial groove view)
for the detection of protrusion of screws in the groove for the
extensor pollicis longus tendon (EPL) during plating of distal radial
fractures. We also aimed to determine the optimum position of the
forearm to obtain this view. We initially analysed the anatomy of
the EPL groove by performing three-dimensional CT on 51 normal forearms.
The mean horizontal angle of the groove was 17.8° (14° to 23°).
We found that the ideal position of the fluoroscopic beam to obtain
this view was 20° in the horizontal plane and 5° in the sagittal
plane. We then intra-operatively assessed the use of the radial groove
view for detecting protrusion of screws in the EPL groove in 93
fractures that were treated by volar plating. A total of 13 protruding
screws were detected. They were changed to shorter screws and these
patients underwent CT scans of the wrist immediately post-operatively.
There remained one screw that was protruding. These findings suggest
that the use of the radial groove view intra-operatively is a good
method of assessing the possible protrusion of screws into the groove
of EPL when plating a fracture of the distal radius. Cite this article:
Penetration of the dorsal screw when treating
distal radius fractures with volar locking plates is an avoidable complication
that causes lesions of the extensor tendon in between 2% and 6%
of patients. We examined axial fluoroscopic views of the distal
end of the radius to observe small amounts of dorsal screw penetration,
and determined the ideal angle of inclination of the x-ray beam
to the forearm when making this radiological view. Six volar locking plates were inserted at the wrists of cadavers.
The actual screw length was measured under direct vision through
a dorsal approach to the distal radius. Axial radiographs were performed
for different angles of inclination of the forearm at the elbow. Comparing axial radiological measurements and real screw length,
a statistically significant correlation could be demonstrated at
an angle of inclination between 5° and 20°. The ideal angle of inclination
required to minimise the risk of implanting over-long screws in
a dorsal horizon radiological view is 15°. Cite this article:
