Joint-sparing arthroscopic management of avascular necrosis of the capitate.

Avascular necrosis of the proximal pole of the capitate is an exceedingly rare pathology with few therapeutic solutions. The largest published series concerned a cohort of 6 cases over 10 years. The present case concerns our experience with avascular necrosis of the capitate in a 20-year-old woman. Due to her age and high functional demand, we opted for a minimally invasive solution using arthroscopy. We performed an X-shaped palmaris longus tendon interposition arthroplasty at the midcarpal joint between the capitate and the lunate. We here report 2 years' follow-up.

Does the DISI matter after distal scaphoidectomy with tendon interposition for STT osteoarthritis?

Progression to dorsal extension of the lunate after distal scaphoidectomy was described more than a decade ago. Still, this technique remains a popular choice for surgical treatment of isolated scaphotrapeziotrapezoid osteoarthritis (STT OA). This study aimed to investigate short-term postoperative function, patient satisfaction and radiographic outcomes of distal scaphoidectomy with tendon interposition for isolated STT OA in the wrist. Scaphoid resection width, amount of DISI and postoperative complications were also assessed. We evaluated all distal scaphoidectomies done at our hospital from 2012 to 2018. Postoperative clinical analysis consisted of grip and key pinch strength, joint amplitude, pain on visual analog scale (VAS), hand usability (VAS) and functional scores (QuickDASH and PRWHE scores). On follow-up radiographs, we measured the amount of DISI, resection height and scaphoid working length and compared them to functional scores. Eighteen patients with 21 operated wrists were eligible. Average time to postoperative evaluation was 36 (5-78) months. We observed DISI in 95% of the cases (n=19). A mean increase of 13° (±6) in radiolunate angle was noted when comparing pre- and postoperative radiographs. Neither the amount of DISI nor the resection height was significantly correlated with the functional scores. No revision surgery for advanced wrist collapse was reported. Four concomitant surgeries were needed. Distal scaphoid excision with tendon interposition yields good short-term results in isolated STT OA. While 95% of cases developed a DISI deformity, there were no cases of functional impairment. Longitudinal studies with long-term follow-up are required to further evaluate lunate extension and possible clinical implications.

Use of the entire flexor carpi radialis tendon for basal thumb ligament reconstruction interposition arthroplasty.

UNLABELLED: Recent studies seem to show that ligament reconstruction with tendon interposition (LRTI) does not provide any benefit over trapezium excision alone; however dorsal subluxation was not measured in these studies. We believe it is logical to perform ligamentoplasty in order to obtain long-term stability and therefore treat dorsal subluxation. Our aim is to verify this hypothesis in an observational prospective study of LRTI using the entire flexor carpi radialis (FCR) tendon. Patients who had failed to respond to nonoperative treatment for advanced thumb basal joint arthritis were recruited prospectively between 2007 and 2011. They all received the same surgical treatment, which consisted of LRTI using the entire FCR tendon. Pre- and postoperative pain, range of motion, strength, stability of the base of the first metacarpal and DASH scores were evaluated. Forty-three patients (49 thumbs) were included with a mean follow-up of 37months (range: 29-72months). Patients showed significant improvements in pain, range of motion and pinch strength. The dorsoradial subluxation was no longer present in any of the thumbs, and the grind test was positive in only three thumbs. The DASH score was improved from 49/100 preoperatively to 22/100 postoperatively. No ulnar deviation of the wrist was observed at the longest follow-up and grip strength was not altered by the procedure. This study showed that the use of the full FCR tendon for LRTI in combination with trapeziectomy is an efficient and safe treatment for advanced carpometacarpal osteoarthritis as it provides a strong ligamentoplasty with a bulky interposition. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Clinical study, Therapeutic Study: Level IV.