Aims. We aimed to compare reoperations following distal radial fractures (DRFs) managed with early fixation versus delayed fixation following initial closed reduction (CR). Methods. We used administrative databases in Ontario, Canada, to identify DRF patients aged 18 years or older from 2003 to 2016. We used procedural and fee codes within 30 days to determine which patients underwent early fixation (≤ seven days) or delayed fixation following CR. We grouped patients in the delayed group by their time to definitive fixation (eight to 14 days, 15 to 21 days, and 22 to 30 days). We used intervention and diagnostic codes to identify reoperations within two years. We used multivariable regression to compare the association between early versus delayed fixation and reoperation for all patients and stratified by age (18 to 60 years and > 60 years). Results. We identified 14,960 DRF patients, 8,339 (55.7%) of whom underwent early surgical fixation (mean 2.9 days (SD 1.8)). In contrast, 4,042 patients (27.0%) underwent delayed fixation between eight and 14 days (mean 10.2 days (SD 2.2)), 1,892 (12.7%) between 14 and 21 days (mean 17.5 days (SD 1.9)) and 687 (4.6%) > 21 days (mean 24.8 days (SD 2.4)) post-fracture. Patients who underwent delayed fixation > 21 days post-fracture had a higher odds of reoperation (odds ratio (OR) 1.33 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.79) vs early fixation). This worsened for patients aged > 60 years (OR 1.69 (95% CI 1.11 to 2.79)). We found no difference in the odds of reoperation for patients who underwent delayed fixation within eight to 14 or 15 to 21 days post-fracture (vs early fixation). Conclusion. These data suggest that DRF patients with fractures with unacceptable reduction following CR should be managed within three weeks to avoid detrimental outcomes.
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
Wrist arthroscopy is a standard procedure in hand surgery for diagnosis and treatment of wrist injuries. Even though not generally recommended for similar procedures, general administration of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) is still widely used in wrist arthroscopy. A clinical ambispective dual-centre study was performed to determine whether PAP reduces postoperative infection rates after soft tissue-only wrist arthroscopies. Retrospective and prospective data was collected at two hospitals with departments specialized in hand surgery. During the study period, 464 wrist arthroscopies were performed, of these 178 soft-tissue-only interventions met the study criteria and were included. Signs of postoperative infection and possible adverse drug effects (ADEs) of PAP were monitored. Additionally, risk factors for surgical site infection (SSIs), such as diabetes mellitus and BMI, were obtained.Aims
Methods
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. Methods. This was a
This annotation reviews current concepts on the three most common surgical approaches used for proximal interphalangeal joint arthroplasty: dorsal, volar, and lateral. Advantages and disadvantages of each are highlighted, and the outcomes are discussed. Cite this article:
The aim of this study was to describe the introduction of a virtual pathway for the management of patients with a suspected fracture of the scaphoid, and to report patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and satisfaction following treatment using this service. All adult patients who presented with a clinically suspected scaphoid fracture that was not visible on radiographs at the time of presentation during a one-year period were eligible for inclusion in the pathway. Demographic details, findings on examination, and routine four-view radiographs at the time of presentation were collected. All radiographs were reviewed virtually by a single consultant hand surgeon, with patient-initiated follow-up on request. PROMs were assessed at a minimum of one year after presentation and included the abbreviated version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score (QuickDASH), the EuroQol five-dimension five-level health questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L), the Net Promoter Score (NPS), and return to work.Aims
Methods
The primary aim of this study was to describe long-term patient-reported outcomes after ulna shortening osteotomy for ulna impaction syndrome. Overall, 89 patients treated between July 2011 and November 2017 who had previously taken part in a routine outcome evaluation up to 12 months postoperatively were sent an additional questionnaire in February 2021. The primary outcome was the Patient-Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation (PRWHE) total score. Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction with treatment results, complications, and subsequent treatment for ulnar-sided wrist pain. Linear mixed models were used to compare preoperative, 12 months, and late follow-up (ranging from four to nine years) PRWHE scores.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to assess and compare active rotation of the forearm in normal subjects after the application of a short-arm cast (SAC) in the semisupination position and a long-arm cast (LAC) in the neutral position. A clinical study was also conducted to compare the functional outcomes of using a SAC in the semisupination position with those of using a LAC in the neutral position in patients who underwent arthroscopic triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) foveal repair. A total of 40 healthy right-handed volunteers were recruited. Active pronation and supination of the forearm were measured in each subject using a goniometer. In the retrospective clinical study, 40 patients who underwent arthroscopic foveal repair were included. The wrist was immobilized postoperatively using a SAC in the semisupination position (approximately 45°) in 16 patients and a LAC in 24. Clinical outcomes were assessed using grip strength and patient-reported outcomes. The degree of disability caused by cast immobilization was also evaluated when the cast was removed.Aims
Methods
With novel promising therapies potentially limiting progression of Dupuytren’s disease (DD), better patient stratification is needed. We aimed to quantify DD development and progression after seven years in a population-based cohort, and to identify factors predictive of disease development or progression. All surviving participants from our previous prevalence study were invited to participate in the current prospective cohort study. Participants were examined for presence of DD and Iselin’s classification was applied. They were asked to complete comprehensive questionnaires. Disease progression was defined as advancement to a further Iselin stage or surgery. Potential predictive factors were assessed using multivariable regression analyses. Of 763 participants in our original study, 398 were available for further investigation seven years later.Aims
Methods
The objective of this systematic review was to describe trapeziectomy outcomes and complications in the context of osteoarthritis of the base of the thumb after a five-year minimum follow-up. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to guide study design, and 267 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. After exclusion criteria application, 22 studies were included, involving 728 patients and 823 trapeziectomies. Outcomes included pre- and postoperative clinical and radiological characteristics. Complications and revisions were recorded.Aims
Methods
Fixation of scaphoid nonunion with a volar locking plate and cancellous bone grafting has been shown to be a successful technique in small series. Few mid- or long-term follow-up studies have been reported. The aim of this study was to report the mid-term radiological and functional outcome of plate fixation for scaphoid nonunion. Patients with a scaphoid nonunion were prospectively enrolled and treated with open reduction using a volar approach, debridement of the nonunion, and fixation using a locking plate and cancellous bone grafting, from the ipsilateral iliac crest. Follow-up included examination, functional assessment using the patient-rated wrist/hand evaluation (PRWHE), and multiplanar reformation CT scans at three-month intervals until union was confirmed.Aims
Methods
Besides conventional radiographs, the use of MRI, CT, and bone scintigraphy is frequent in the diagnosis of a fracture of the scaphoid. However, which techniques give the best results remain unknown. The investigation of a new imaging technique initially requires an analysis of its precision. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the interobserver agreement of high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HR-pQCT) in the diagnosis of a scaphoid fracture. A secondary aim was to investigate the interobserver agreement for the presence of other fractures and for the classification of scaphoid fracture. Two radiologists and two orthopaedic trauma surgeons evaluated HR-pQCT scans of 31 patients with a clinically-suspected scaphoid fracture. The observers were asked to determine the presence of a scaphoid or other fracture and to classify the scaphoid fracture based on the Herbert classification system. Fleiss kappa statistics were used to calculate the interobserver agreement for the diagnosis of a fracture. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess the agreement for the classification of scaphoid fracture.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 aims of this study were to compare the mid-term outcomes
of patients with late-stage arthritis of the wrist treated with
proximal row carpectomy (PRC) and dorsal capsular interposition
(DCI) arthroplasty with a matched cohort treated with routine PRC
alone. A total of 25 arthritic wrists (24 patients) with pre-existing
degenerative changes of the proximal capitate and/or the lunate
fossa of the radius were treated with PRC + DCI over a ten-year
period. This group of patients were matched 1:2 with a group of
50 wrists (48 patients) without degenerative changes in the capitate
or lunate fossa that were treated with a routine PRC alone during
the same period. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery
was 56.8 years (25 to 81), and the demographics and baseline range
of movement of the wrist, grip strength, Quick Disabilities of the
Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score, and Patient-Rated Wrist
Evaluation (PRWE) score were similar in both groups. Aims
Patients and Methods
Aims. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a corticosteroid injection for the
treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in patients with and without Raynaud’s
phenomenon. Patients and Methods. In a
We performed a systematic review of the current literature regarding
the outcomes of unconstrained metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) arthroplasty. We initially identified 1305 studies, and 406 were found to be
duplicates. After exclusion criteria were applied, seven studies
were included. Outcomes extracted included pre- and post-operative
pain visual analogue scores, range of movement (ROM), strength of
pinch and grip, satisfaction and patient reported outcome measures
(PROMs). Clinical and radiological complications were recorded.
The results are presented in three groups based on the design of
the arthroplasty and the aetiology (pyrocarbon-osteoarthritis (pyro-OA),
pyrocarbon-inflammatory arthritis (pyro-IA), metal-on-polyethylene
(MoP)).Aims
Materials and Methods
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
Acute swelling of the hand is a common problem after trauma or surgery and is associated with both pain and loss of function. We describe a
