A Prospective, Randomized Trial of Splinting After Minicarpal Tunnel Release.

PURPOSE: To determine if any significant differences exist in patient-reported or clinical outcomes among 3 different postoperative orthotic regimens: no orthosis, removable orthosis, and plaster nonremovable orthosis-following miniopen carpal tunnel release (CTR) surgery for symptomatic isolated carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: A total of 249 patients received a miniopen CTR and were subsequently randomized into 1 of 3 orthotic regimens: 80, no orthosis; 83, removable orthosis; and 86, nonremovable orthosis-to be removed at the first postoperative visit 10 to 14 days later. Patient-reported outcomes included the quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) surveys, Levine-Katz Symptom Severity and Functional Status Scales, and Pain at Rest and in Action using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Clinical outcomes included wrist range of motion, grip, and lateral pinch strengths. All outcomes were evaluated bilaterally at 10 to 14 days, 6 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery by evaluators blinded to the assigned regimen. Demographic information was obtained before surgery, and complications were recorded throughout the study. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in any patient-reported or clinical outcomes at any follow-up period except at 6 and 12 months: the lateral pinch strength of the nonremovable orthosis group with CTR in the dominant hand was weaker than both of the other groups. Patient demographic characteristics did not significantly influence the outcomes at any time. Scar tenderness was the most commonly observed complication followed by stiffness. There were 2 cases each of complex regional pain syndrome and superficial wound dehiscence and 1 case of wound infection that resolved with oral antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative orthotic regimen does not change any patient-reported outcome up to at least 12 months following miniopen CTR. Lateral pinch strength was weaker in the nonremovable orthosis group at 6 and 12 months. Our data do not support the use of any postoperative orthosis following routine miniopen CTR. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic I.

Arthroscopic Partial Trapeziectomy With Soft Tissue Interposition for Symptomatic Trapeziometacarpal Arthritis: 6-Month and 5-Year Minimum Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: To determine if arthroscopic partial trapeziectomy (APT) and soft tissue interposition arthroplasty is an effective treatment for symptomatic trapeziometacarpal arthritis. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 30 consecutive patients with symptomatic isolated trapeziometacarpal arthritis, Eaton-Littler stages II and III. Treatment consisted of an APT with soft tissue interposition utilizing an acellular dermal matrix as the interposition material. At a minimum of 6 months and 5 years after surgery, Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH), grip strength, oppositional and appositional pinch strengths, arthroplasty space, and thumb range of motion (ROM) were evaluated. RESULTS: At 6-month minimum follow-up, 30 of 30 patients reported a significant reduction in pain; preoperative NPRS averaged 8.2 and decreased to 1.3. Average QuickDASH score was 17.5. Twenty-nine of 30 thumbs could adduct fully in the plane of the palm. Twenty-four patients were available for 5-year minimum follow-up. Average QuickDASH score measured 8.9, whereas pain (mean NPRS, 0.8), grip, and pinch strengths were not significantly different from the 6-month assessment. There was a small reduction in arthroplasty space at 5-year follow-up that did not affect clinical outcome measures. Thumb ROM did not change between the 6-month and the 5-year follow-up. Complications were rare. CONCLUSIONS: An APT with interposition arthroplasty utilizing an acellular dermal matrix as the interposition material is a safe and reliable procedure with satisfactory outcomes at short- and long-term follow-up. Pain, strength, QuickDASH, and ROM do not significantly change between the 6-month and the 5-year follow-up. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Anatomic tilt x-rays of the distal radius: an ex vivo analysis of surgical fixation.

PURPOSE: To compare anatomic tilt radiographs with standard posteroanterior (PA) and lateral radiographs for their efficacy in detecting screw penetration of the distal radius articular surface. METHODS: Twenty-four cadaveric human forearm specimens had fixation with a dorsal distal radius plate and screws. Three groups were evaluated: (1) no articular surface screw penetration, (2) radial-sided articular screw penetration, and (3) ulnar-sided articular screw penetration. Standard PA and lateral views and anatomic tilt PA and lateral views were taken of each specimen. Three observers reviewed both individual (PA or lateral) and paired (PA and lateral) radiographs. These radiographs were evaluated based on whether or not articular penetration had occurred. A number between 1 and 5 was assigned to represent the degree of certainty of their assessment. The accuracy of the observers was calculated to determine if screw penetration of the articular surface had occurred and, if so, which screw had penetrated the joint. The sensitivity and specificity of each view, interobserver reliability, and the reviewers' confidence in evaluating presence or absence of screw penetration were calculated. RESULTS: The use of anatomic tilt lateral views significantly improved the overall accuracy, (0.93 vs 0.64), sensitivity (0.98 vs 0.77), and specificity (0.83 vs 0.38) of the detection of articular screw penetration when compared with standard lateral views. PA and lateral anatomic tilt views, when viewed together, significantly improved (p <.001) the accuracy of each observer's determination of the position of the penetrated screw (0.90 vs 0.67). In addition, anatomic tilt views significantly improved the confidence of the reviewers in their more accurate observations (4.7 vs 3.3, p <.05). CONCLUSIONS: Anatomic tilt PA and lateral radiographs of the distal radius are an accurate and clinically useful tool for the evaluation of both presence and location of screw penetration of the articular surface after dorsal plating.