Hand Fractures-Management and the Complications That Inevitably Occur: Metacarpal Fractures.

Metacarpal fractures are among the most common hand fractures. To properly manage these injuries, surgeons must understand the anatomy, biomechanics, clinical assessment, surgical and nonsurgical treatment options, and potential complications. Metacarpal head fractures often require surgical treatment to restore the joint surface by using a variety of techniques. Metacarpal neck fractures are usually stable injuries that do not require surgical intervention, but surgeons must know when surgical intervention is indicated. Fractures of the metacarpal shaft can be treated surgically and nonsurgically and may be associated with large bone defects or soft-tissue injuries that require careful consideration. Finally, fractures involving the carpometacarpal joints must be promptly managed to avoid long-term complications, potentially requiring salvage procedures.

Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Fractures.

Multiple fracture patterns can occur around the proximal interphalangeal joint and require surgeons to have a thorough understanding of the anatomy, clinical and radiographic examination, common fracture patterns, surgical and nonsurgical treatment options, and potential complications. Proximal phalangeal condylar fractures are typically managed surgically, because even nondisplaced fractures have a propensity for displacement. Middle phalangeal base fractures most commonly present as a volar lip fracture with or without dorsal subluxation or dislocation. Treatment options include extension block splinting or pinning, transarticular pinning, open reduction and internal fixation, external fixation, volar plate arthroplasty, and hemihamate arthroplasty. Less common fractures include dorsal lip fractures with or without volar subluxation or dislocation (the central slip fracture), lateral plateau impaction or avulsion injuries, and pilon fractures. The main goals in the management of middle phalangeal base fractures are to restore articular congruency and initial early range of motion, which are more important than obtaining an anatomic reduction.

Pediatric Phalanx Fractures.

Phalangeal fractures are extremely common in the pediatric and adolescent populations. The incidence of phalangeal fractures peaks in children ages 10 to 14 years, corresponding to the age in which children begin contact sports. Younger children are more likely to experience crush injuries, whereas older children often sustain phalangeal fractures during sports. The physis is particularly susceptible to fracture because of the biomechanically weak nature of the physis compared with the surrounding ligaments and bone. Phalangeal fractures are identified through a thorough physical examination and are subsequently confirmed with radiographic evaluation. Management of pediatric phalangeal fractures is dependent on the age of the child, the severity of the injury, and the degree of fracture displacement. Nondisplaced fractures are often managed nonsurgically with immobilization, whereas unstable, displaced fractures may require surgery, which is often a closed rather than open reduction and percutaneous pinning.

Total Wrist Arthroplasty: An International Perspective.

Concerns about implant durability and technical difficulty continue to make total wrist arthroplasties a specialized procedure with a narrow scope of indications. As a result, more routinely performed total or partial wrist arthrodesis continues to maintain popularity over arthroplasty. However, wrist motion preservation is undoubtedly preferable for patients and current literature is trending to more favorable outcomes for total wrist arthroplasties. In the setting of the evolving role of wrist arthroplasties in clinical practice, it is important to focus on providing hand surgeons a practical approach to incorporating total wrist arthroplasty into the treatment toolbox available to them when treating patients with painful wrist arthritis.

Flexor Tendon Attritional Ruptures Following Distal Radius Volar Plate Fixation.

PURPOSE: To investigate patient and radiographic factors that may correlate with the time to flexor tendon rupture following volar plate fixation of distal radius fractures. METHODS: A total of 31 patients who underwent volar plate removal because of flexor tendon rupture were analyzed. Patient demographics and the interval from operative fixation until rupture were determined retrospectively. Volar tilt and lateral carpal alignment were measured radiographically. The Soong classification was used to grade volar plate prominence. The correlation between the duration to tendon rupture and volar tilt, carpal alignment, and age was evaluated. RESULTS: There were 7 men and 24 women. Mean age at the time of hardware removal and flexor tendon management was 66 years (n = 31). Radiographs were classified as Soong 1 (n = 24) and Soong 2 (n = 3). The mean measured volar tilt was -4° (range, -20°-+7°). The mean interval from operative fixation until complete tendon rupture was 4.9 years, (range, 0.3-13.1 years; n = 30). There was no correlation between the time interval to rupture and the magnitude of tilt, carpal alignment, or age at the time of operative fixation. CONCLUSIONS: Although volar plate prominence was present in all patients with flexor tendon ruptures, radiographic parameters including the degree of dorsal tilt, lateral carpal alignment, and patient age did not correlate with the time interval from fixation to tendon rupture. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic IV.

Hand and Wrist Problems That Can Be Deceptive: Avoiding Snakes in the Grass.

In this chapter, the authors describe hand conditions that can be "bad actors" and provide specific clues to identify these problems, and strategies to assess and successfully treat them. We will review pediatric and adult hand fractures, fractures of the distal radius, and trigger digits.

Reevaluation of the Scaphoid Fracture: What Is the Current Best Evidence?

Scaphoid fractures are common and notorious for their troublesome healing. The aim of this review is to reevaluate the current best evidence for the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of scaphoid fractures and nonunions. MRI and CT are used to establish a "definitive diagnosis" with comparable diagnostic accuracy although neither is 100% specific. Current classifications cannot reliably predict union or outcomes; hence, a descriptive analysis of fracture location, type, and extent of displacement remains most useful. Treatment of a nondisplaced scaphoid waist fracture remains an individualized decision based on shared decision-making. Open reduction and internal fixation may be preferred when fracture displacement exceeds 1 mm, and the fracture is irreducible by closed or percutaneous means. For unstable nonunions with carpal instability, either non-vascularized cancellous graft with stable internal fixation or corticocancellous wedge grafts will provide a high rate of union and restoration of carpal alignment. For nonunions characterized with osteonecrosis of the proximal pole, vascularized bone grafting can achieve a higher rate of union.

Accidental Injection of Freund Complete Adjuvant With Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.

Accidental needlestick injuries are common in laboratory and health care workers. Injection of atypical pathogens, such as those encountered in the animal laboratory setting, may pose considerable problems at the site of inoculation. We present the case of an otherwise healthy laboratory worker who accidentally self-injected Freund complete adjuvant with heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis into her hand, requiring multiple debridement operations over a prolonged treatment course.

Single- versus double-bundle suture button reconstruction of the forearm interosseous membrane for the chronic Essex-Lopresti lesion.

PURPOSE: Reconstruction of the ruptured interosseous membrane (IOM) is critical to restore forearm stability for the chronic Essex-Lopresti injury. Positive outcomes have been reported following IOM reconstruction with a single-bundle suture button (Mini-Tightrope) construct, although recent work suggests that double-bundle Mini-TightRope® IOM reconstruction is biomechanically superior. The purpose of this study was to determine whether double-bundle Mini-TightRope® reconstruction of the forearm IOM results in superior clinical outcomes to the single-bundle technique. METHODS: Five patients with chronic Essex-Lopresti injuries treated with double-bundle Mini-TightRope® IOM reconstruction were matched to five patients treated with single-bundle Mini-TightRope® reconstruction. Improvement in clinical examination measures and patient-reported outcomes was compared between the groups. RESULTS: Results were good to excellent in all 10 patients. At final follow-up, forearm rotation was significantly better in the single-bundle group, while maintenance of ulnar variance was better in the double-bundle group. No significant differences were noted between the two groups for any other numerical outcomes, and no complications occurred. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that while IOM reconstruction with a double-bundle Mini-TightRope® construct results in greater resistance to proximal migration of the radius in the intermediate term, there is a modest concomitant loss of forearm rotation when compared to single-bundle reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Getting It Right So You Don't Have to Do It Again.

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a disorder caused by thoracic outlet compression of the brachial plexus and/or the subclavian vessels. The characteristics of thoracic outlet syndrome are highly variable. Objective tests, such as electrodiagnostic studies, are often unreliable in characterizing thoracic outlet syndrome. The existence of thoracic outlet syndrome as a discrete entity is controversial. Surgeons who accept the existence of thoracic outlet syndrome acknowledge that diagnosis is clinical. The variability and complexity of thoracic outlet syndrome lends itself to mistakes in both diagnosis and surgical treatment.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Initial Management and the Treatment of Recalcitrant Patients.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a focal compressive neuropathy of the median nerve at the level of the wrist. CTS is the most common type of compressive neuropathy that occurs in the upper extremity. Typically, patients with CTS have paresthesia, pain, and numbness in the radial three and one-half digits. Nighttime symptoms are more common earlier in the disease process, with daytime symptoms becoming more frequent as CTS progresses. Electrodiagnostic studies may be performed to confirm a diagnosis of CTS or to obtain a baseline before surgical treatment; however, electrodiagnostic studies may be normal in a subset of patients who have CTS. Patients who have mild CTS should undergo an initial trial of nonsurgical treatment that includes lifestyle modifications, nighttime splinting, and corticosteroid injections. Carpal tunnel release should be performed in patients in whom nonsurgical treatment fails and patients who have acute CTS secondary to infection or trauma or have advanced symptoms. Recalcitrant CTS, which may occur in as many as 25% of patients who undergo carpal tunnel release, most commonly results from an incomplete transverse carpal ligament release or an incorrect initial diagnosis. Patients with recurrent symptoms often have perineural fibrosis that tethers the median nerve.

Dorsal versus lateral plate fixation of finger proximal phalangeal fractures: a retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Unstable proximal phalanx fractures are relatively common injuries but consensus of standard treatment is lacking. Outcomes following plate fixation are highly variable, and it remains unclear which factors are predictive for poorer results. The purpose of this study was to compare dorsal and lateral plate fixation of finger proximal phalangeal fractures with regard to factors that influence the outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of proximal phalanx fractures treated with dorsal and lateral plating over a 6-year study interval was performed. Demographic data and injury-specific factors were obtained from review of clinic and therapy notes of 42 patients. Fractures were classified based on the OTA classification using preoperative radiographs. Outcomes investigated included final range of motion (ROM) and total active motion (TAM) of all finger joints. Complications and revision surgeries were also analyzed. RESULTS: Fracture comminution, dorsal and a lateral plate position, occupational therapy, and demographic factors did not significantly influence the outcome, complication, and revision rate after plate fixation of finger proximal phalangeal fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, no differences in the outcome of finger proximal phalangeal fractures treated by both dorsal and lateral plate fixation were observed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, retrospective comparative, level III.

Predicting Revision Following In Situ Ulnar Nerve Decompression for Patients With Idiopathic Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of revision and potential risk factors for needing revision surgery following in situ ulnar nerve decompression for patients with idiopathic cubital tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients treated at 1 specialty hand center with an open in situ ulnar nerve decompression for idiopathic CTS from January 2006 through December 2010. Revision incidence was determined by identifying patients who underwent additional surgeries for recurrent or persistent ulnar nerve symptoms. Bivariate analysis was performed to determine which variables had a significant influence on the need for revision surgery. RESULTS: Revision surgery was required in 3.2% (7 of 216) of all cases. Age younger than 50 years at the time of index decompression was the lone significant predictor of need for revision surgery. Other patient factors, including gender, diabetes, smoking history, and workers' compensation status were not predictive of the need for revision surgery. Disease-specific variables including nerve conduction velocities, McGowan grading, and predominant symptom type were also not predictive of revision. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with idiopathic CTS, the risk of revision surgery following in situ ulnar nerve decompression is low. However, this risk was increased in patients who were younger than 50 years at the time of the index procedure. The findings of this study suggest that, in the absence of underlying elbow arthritis or prior elbow trauma, in situ ulnar nerve decompression is an effective, minimal-risk option for the initial surgical treatment of CTS. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic III.

Complications Following Partial and Total Wrist Arthroplasty: A Single-Center Retrospective Review.

PURPOSE: To describe our institution's experience with complications following partial and total wrist arthroplasty (TWA). METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 105 wrist surgeries in 100 patients who underwent surgery with prosthetic replacement of the distal radius, the proximal carpus, or both at a single institution. Patient factors including age, sex, body mass index, handedness, underlying disease, and previous injury were recorded. Outcomes focused particularly on postoperative complications and need for revision surgery. RESULTS: Forty-seven TWAs, 52 distal radius hemiarthroplasties, and 6 proximal carpal hemiarthroplasties were reviewed with a mean follow-up duration of 35 ± 28 months. Overall complication and revision rates were 51% (53 of 105) and 39% (41 of 105), respectively. Postoperative contracture accounted for the largest number of complications needing additional surgery (20%), followed by component failure (15%). Deep infections occurred in 2 TWAs and 1 distal radius hemiarthroplasty and required removal of hardware, antibiotic spacer placement, and a prolonged course of intravenous antibiotics prior to a definitive operation. Of those patients requiring additional surgery, 41% (n = 10) underwent at least 2 procedures, and 10% (n = 4) underwent at least 6 additional surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: Although TWA and partial wrist arthroplasty are attractive treatment options for the painful arthritic wrist, there remains a noteworthy potential for complications requiring additional surgery. A detailed understanding of these risks is essential for surgeons so that patients may be counseled accordingly and that alternative treatment options may be considered. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Evaluation and Management of Sleep Disorders in the Hand Surgery Patient.

Despite posing a significant public health threat, sleep disorders remain poorly understood and often underdiagnosed and mismanaged. Although sleep disorders are seemingly unrelated, hand surgeons should be mindful of these because numerous conditions of the upper extremity have known associations with sleep disturbances that can adversely affect patient function and satisfaction. In addition, patients with sleep disorders are at significantly higher risk for severe, even life-threatening medical comorbidities, further amplifying the role of hand surgeons in the recognition of this condition.

Risk factors predicting revision surgery after medial epicondylectomy for primary cubital tunnel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Medial epicondylectomy (ME) is one of several accepted surgical options for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS). Although reported outcomes after ME are generally favorable, few data exist regarding which patients are prone to poorer outcomes requiring revision surgery. The goal of this study was to identify risk factors predicting the need for revision surgery after ME for the treatment of CuTS. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients treated at our institution with ME for CuTS from 2006 through 2011. We identified patients who underwent additional operations for recurrent or persistent ulnar nerve symptoms as the revision cohort. We performed bivariate analysis to determine which variables had a significant influence on the need for revision surgery. We examined qualitative factors associated with revision, including the degree of bony resection performed during the index ME, and intraoperative findings at the time of revision surgery. RESULTS: Revision surgery was required in 13.3% of cases (11 of 83). On bivariate analysis, younger age, associated workers' compensation claims, lesser disease severity, and preoperative opioid use were all significant predictors of the need for revision surgery. Perineural scarring and heterotopic bone formation about the elbow were the 2 most common findings at the time of revision. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with CuTS, the risk of revision surgery after ME is higher in younger patients, patients with less severe disease, patients taking opioid medications preoperatively, and patients with associated workers' compensation claims. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV; Case Series; Treatment Study.

Interosseous membrane reconstruction with a suture-button construct for treatment of chronic forearm instability.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to report outcomes of interosseous membrane (IOM) reconstruction with a suture-button construct for treatment of chronic longitudinal forearm instability. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review with prospective follow-up of patients who underwent ulnar shortening osteotomy and IOM reconstruction with the Mini TightRope device from 2011 through 2014. Bivariate statistical analysis was used for comparison of preoperative and postoperative Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) scores, range of motion, grip strength, and ulnar variance. Complications and patient satisfaction were also recorded. RESULTS: Ten patients (mean age, 45.3 years) satisfied inclusion criteria: 8 treated for post-traumatic sequelae of Essex-Lopresti-type injuries, 1 for forearm instability secondary to previous elbow surgery, and 1 for instability secondary to trauma and multiple elbow surgeries. Surgeries were performed an average of 28.6 months from initial injury. At mean follow-up of 34.6 months after surgery, significant improvement was observed in elbow flexion-extension arc (+23° vs. preoperatively; P = .007), wrist flexion-extension arc (+22°; P = .016), QuickDASH score (-48; P = .000), and ulnar variance (-3.3 mm; P = .006). Three patients required additional surgery: 1 revision ulnar shortening osteotomy for persistent impingement, 1 revision ulnar osteotomy and Mini TightRope removal for lost forearm supination, and 1 fixation of a radial shaft fracture after a fall. CONCLUSION: IOM reconstruction using a suture-button construct is an effective treatment option for chronic forearm instability.

Perceptions of Emergency Medicine Residency and Hand Surgery Fellowship Program Directors in the Appropriate Disposition of Upper Extremity Emergencies.

PURPOSE: To survey emergency medicine (EM) residency and hand surgery fellowship program directors (PDs) to identify consensus in their perceptions of appropriate emergency care of upper extremity emergencies. METHODS: We created a framework to group common upper extremity emergency diagnoses and surveyed PDs to evaluate the training background--EM, general orthopedic or plastic surgery, or hand fellowship--most appropriate to provide acute, point-of-care management for each of these diagnostic groupings. Responses were pooled and consensus was established with greater than 75% agreement between groups. RESULTS: We received 79 responses from hand fellowship PDs (90% response rate) and 151 responses from EM PDs (49% response rate). We identified consensus for the training background that PDs in both specialties felt was appropriate to care for 17 of 21 diagnostic groupings in the framework. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high level of consensus between EM and hand surgery PDs regarding diagnoses that acutely require training in hand surgery versus those that can be managed by an EM physician. Our diagnostic framework may help reduce unnecessary hand surgery consultation and may help to identify patients who do not require more specialized acute care and thus decrease unnecessary transfers. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Economic and Decision Analyses IV.

Complications of common hand and wrist surgery procedures: flexor and extensor tendon surgery.

Orthopaedic and hand surgeons frequently treat disorders of the flexor and extensor tendon systems. Common conditions, such as trigger finger, de Quervain tenosynovitis, extensor tendon injury, and zone II flexor tendon injury, can be challenging to treat. Complications that limit normal hand function still occur despite advances in surgical techniques and therapy protocols. It is helpful to be aware of the complications related to the treatment of these hand disorders and understand surgical techniques to minimize their frequency.

Iatrogenic nerve injuries in common upper extremity procedures.

Iatrogenic nerve injuries frequently occur during procedures around the hand and wrist, although they are not always recognized at the time of injury or in the immediate postoperative period. Because preventing injuries is of paramount importance, extensive knowledge of the anatomy of the at-risk nerves is critical. Best results occur after immediate repair because a substantial delay before secondary surgery diminishes the chances for recovery from motor or sensory nerve dysfunction and relief from pain. It is helpful to review iatrogenic nerve injuries associated with common hand surgical procedures.