The purposes of this study were to define the range of laxity of the interosseous ligaments in cadaveric wrists and to determine whether this correlated with age, the morphology of the lunate, the scapholunate (SL) gap or the SL angle. We evaluated 83 fresh-frozen cadaveric wrists and recorded the SL gap and SL angle. Standard arthroscopy of the wrist was then performed and the grades of laxity of the scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) and the lunotriquetral interosseous ligament (LTIL) and the morphology of the lunate were recorded. Arthroscopic evaluation of the SLIL revealed four (5%) grade I specimens, 28 (34%) grade II, 40 (48%) grade III and 11 (13%) grade IV. Evaluation of the LTIL showed 17 (20%) grade I specimens, 40 (48%) grade II, 28 (30%) grade III and one (1%) grade IV. On both bivariate and multivariate analysis, the grade of both the SLIL and LTIL increased with age, but decreased with female gender. The grades of SLIL or LTIL did not correlate with the morphology of the lunate, the SL gap or the SL angle. The physiological range of laxity at the SL and lunotriquetral joints is wider than originally described. The intercarpal ligaments demonstrate an age-related progression of laxity of the SL and lunotriquetral joints. There is no correlation between the grades of laxity of the SLIL or LTIL and the morphology of the lunate, the SL gap or the SL grade. Based on our results, we believe that the Geissler classification has a role in describing intercarpal laxity, but if used alone it cannot adequately diagnose pathological instability. We suggest a modified classification with a mechanism that may distinguish physiological laxity from pathological instability

The February 2013 Wrist & Hand Roundup. 360 . looks at: to splint or not to splint; salvage of the unsalvageable; a close shave for malunions; a classic approach to malunion; diabetic carpal tunnel; capsulodesis; a wrist from a fibula; thumb-based osteoarthritis - a further opinion from the Editor-in-Chief

Aims. 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. Patients and Methods. 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. . Results. At a mean follow-up of 5.9 years (1.8 to 11.8), significant improvements in mean grip strength, the flexion-extension arc of movement of the wrist, QuickDASH, and PRWE scores were seen in both groups. There was no diifference between the groups for any of the outcomes. One patient in the PRC + DCI group required additional surgery for a deep infection, while two in the PRC group had complications (one wound dehiscence requiring revision closure, one transient radial sensory neuritis). One patient in each group required total arthrodesis of the wrist for progressive degenerative radiocarpal changes. A total of 70 patients (93%) were satisfied with the outcomes. Conclusion. PRC with DCI is an effective form of treatment for late-stage arthritis of the wrist involving the capitolunate joint, with mid-term outcomes that are similar to those in patients without degenerative changes affecting the capitate or lunate fossa who are treated with a routine PRC alone. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:197–204

The Motec cementless modular metal-on-metal ball-and-socket wrist arthroplasty was implanted in 16 wrists with scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC; grades 3 or 4) and 14 wrists with scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) in 30 patients (20 men) with severe (grades 3 or 4) post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the wrist. The mean age of the patients was 52 years (31 to 71). All prostheses integrated well radiologically. At a mean follow-up of 3.2 years (1.1 to 6.1) no luxation or implant breakage occurred. Two wrists were converted to an arthrodesis for persistent pain. Loosening occurred in one further wrist at five years post-operatively. The remainder demonstrated close bone–implant contact. The clinical results were good, with markedly decreased Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and pain scores, and increased movement and grip strength. No patient used analgesics and most had returned to work. Good short-term function was achieved using this wrist arthroplasty in a high-demand group of patients with post-traumatic osteoarthritis

Disorders of the pisotriquetral joint are well recognised as the cause of pain on the ulnar side of the wrist. The joint is not usually examined during routine arthroscopy because it is assumed to have a separate joint cavity to the radiocarpal joint, although there is often a connection between the two. We explored this connection during arthroscopy and in fresh-frozen cadaver wrists and found that in about half of the cases the pisotriquetral joint could be visualised through standard wrist portals. Four different types of connection were observed between the radiocarpal joint and the pisotriquetral joint. They ranged from a complete membrane separating the two, to no membrane at all, with various other types of connection in between. We recommend that inspection of the pisotriquetral joint should be a part of the protocol for routine arthroscopy of the wrist

We have measured the three-dimensional patterns of carpal deformity in 20 wrists in 20 rheumatoid patients in which the carpal bones were shifted ulnarwards on plain radiography. Three-dimensional bone models of the carpus and radius were created by computerised tomography with the wrist in the neutral position. The location of the centroids and rotational angle of each carpal bone relative to the radius were calculated and compared with those of ten normal wrists. In the radiocarpal joint, the proximal row was flexed and the centroids of all carpal bones translocated in an ulnar, proximal and volar direction with loss of congruity. In the midcarpal joint, the distal row was extended and congruity generally well preserved. These findings may facilitate more positive use of radiocarpal fusion alone for the deformed rheumatoid wrist

We investigated the clinical response to arthroscopic synovectomy in patients with undifferentiated chronic monoarthritis (UCMA) of the wrist. Arthroscopic synovectomy was performed on 20 wrists in 20 patients with UCMA of the wrist who had not responded to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The mean duration of symptoms at the time of surgery was 4.3 months (3 to 7) and the mean follow-up was 51.8 months (24 to 94). Inflamed synovium was completely removed from the radiocarpal, midcarpal and distal radioulnar joints using more portals than normal. After surgery, nine patients had early remission of synovitis and 11 with uncontrolled synovitis received antirheumatic medication. Overall, there was significant improvement in terms of pain relief, range of movement and Mayo score. Radiological deterioration was seen in five patients who were diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis during the follow-up period. Lymphoid follicles and severe lymphocyte infiltration were seen more often in synovial biopsies from patients with uncontrolled synovitis. These results suggest that arthroscopic synovectomy provides pain relief and functional improvement, and allows rapid resolution of synovitis in about half of patients with UCMA of the wrist

The August 2015 Wrist & Hand Roundup360 looks at: Scaphoid screws out?; Stiff fingers under the spotlight; Trigger finger: is complexity needed?; Do we really need to replace the base of the thumb?; Scapholunate ligament injuries and their treatment: a missed research opportunity?; Proximal row carpectomy versus four-corner arthrodesis

The October 2015 Wrist & Hand Roundup360 looks at: Base of thumb arthritis – steroids not a waste of time; De Quervain’s tenosynovitis and steroids; Use your therapy time wisely!; Excision osteotomy for the carpometacarpal joint?; CORDLESS at five years?; Arthroscopy again of no benefit?; Distal radius stirring up trouble again!; Scaphoid arthroscopy under the spotlight

Aims

The aim of this study was to develop a core outcome set of what to measure in all future clinical research on hand fractures and joint injuries in adults.

Aims

The primary aim of this study was to report the radiological outcomes of patients with a dorsally displaced distal radius fracture who were randomized to a moulded cast or surgical fixation with wires following manipulation and closed reduction of their fracture. The secondary aim was to correlate radiological outcomes with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in the year following injury.

The April 2015 Wrist & Hand Roundup360 looks at: Non-operative hand fracture management; From the sublime to the ridiculous?; A novel approach to carpal tunnel decompression; Osteoporosis and functional scores in the distal radius; Ulnar variance and force distribution; Tourniquets in carpal tunnel under the spotlight; Scaphoid fractures reclassified; Osteoporosis and distal radial fracture fixation; PROMISing results in the upper limb

Advanced osteoarthritis of the wrist or the distal articulation of the lunate with the capitate has traditionally been treated surgically by arthrodesis. In order to maintain movement, we performed proximal row carpectomy with capsular interposition arthroplasty as an alternative to arthrodesis in eight patients with advanced arthritis and retrospectively reviewed their clinical and radiographic outcomes after a mean follow-up of 41 months (13 to 53). The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain at its worst and at rest, and the patient-rated wrist evaluation score improved significantly after surgery, whereas ranges of movement and grip strength were maintained at the pre-operative levels. Progression of arthritis in the radiocapitate joint was observed in three patients, but their outcomes were not significantly different from those without progression of arthritis. Proximal row carpectomy with capsular interposition arthroplasty is a reasonable option for the treatment of patients with advanced arthritis of the wrist

The December 2013 Wrist & Hand Roundup. 360 . looks at: Scapholunate instability; three-ligament tenodesis; Pronator quadratus; Proximal row carpectomy; FPL dysfunction after volar plate fixation; Locating the thenar branch of the median nerve; Metallosis CMCJ arthroplasties; and timing of flap reconstruction