Endoscopic Single Approach Forearm Fasciotomy for Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome: Long Term Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the forearm is an uncommon condition, occurring in some populations such as athletes. The standard surgical treatment for professional athletes who cannot avoid trigger activity is an open forearm fasciotomy, which may require a long recovery time. The aim of this study is to present a new endoscopic single approach forearm fasciotomy technique and outcomes of at least 3 years follow up. METHODS: We performed the endoscopic single approach forearm fasciotomy in 4 forearms in 3 men with the mean age of 25 years. All of the patients were evaluated at a mean follow up of 46 months using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. RESULTS: DASH improved from 21.71 to 5.39, VAS score improved too All the patients referred pain absence after the stress test performed at 20 kilos and 40 kilos. In our series no post-operative complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The new mini-invasive technique has proved to be safe, reliable in a long-term follow-up. The main advantage is the shortening of the recovering time, that leads to a faster return to the professional activity.

Hand Injury in Rock Climbing: Literature Review.

With the amazing increasing in number of participants, rock climbing has become a popular sport in the last decade. A growing number of participants, with different skill level, inevitably leads to an increased number of injuries related to this practice. The kind of lesions that can be observed in rock-climbers is very specific and often involves the hand. For this reason is very important for any hand surgeon that is exposed to sport injuries to know which and the most common injuries related to this sport and which are the basic principles for the treatment of those. The aim of this article is to review the literature that has been published in the last ten year in this topic. On the NCBI database 22 articles where found that where related to rock climbing lesion affecting the hand or the whole body. Differences where found according to kind of rock climbing activity that was analyzed, alpine climb leads to more serious injuries, often affecting the lower limb, while in sport and recreational rock climbing the upper limb and the hand are definitely the most affected parts. Flexor pulley lesions, followed by fractures and strains are the most common lesions affecting the hand that are related to this practice.

Arthroscopic Resection of Distal Pole of the Scaphoid for Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid Joint Arthritis: Comparison between Simple Resection and Implant Interposition.

BACKGROUND: Isolated scaphotrapeziotrapezoid is a relatively rare condition, and there is still not complete consensus on the treatment of this pathology. PURPOSE: The aim of the present study is to assess the utility of implant interposition after arthroscopic scaphoid distal pole resection for scaphotrapeziotrapezoid arthritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors present a prospective study after the arthroscopic resection of the distal pole of the scaphoid in 24 patients. In a group of 11 patients, the simple resection was performed while in the other 13 patients the scaphoid resection and pyrocarbone implant interposition. RESULTS: All patients were clinically evaluated with disability of arm, shoulder, hand score. Dorsal intercalated segment instability deformity was also measured from X-ray analysis. Grip and pinch strength were measured too, and patients were also given a visual analog scale questionnaire. Both clinical and radiographic assessments were done at 24 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed comparable results with both the techniques. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II: A prospective comparative study.

Reconstruction of the distal finger with partial second toe transfers by means of an exteriorised pedicle.

This study reports the outcome of a series of ten microsurgical fingertip reconstructions with partial toe transfers in which the vascular pedicle was exteriorised and subsequently excised after the transfer had become established. The aim of this technique was to provide better aesthetic and functional outcomes. The technique was successful and without complication in nine of the ten patients who had excellent functional and aesthetic outcomes. Arterial thrombosis resulted in partial necrosis of the fingertip in the other case.

Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint arthritis: a pilot study of treatment with the scaphoid trapezium pyrocarbon implant.

Isolated scaphotrapeziotrapezoid osteoarthritis is rare but can cause weakness and wrist pain. We present the results of a pilot study of interposition arthoplasty with a scaphoid trapezium pyrocarbon implant (STPI) by an open and arthroscopic approach for this problem. We performed this procedure in 10 hands in eight patients, all women, with a mean age of 60.5 (range 51-70) years. The average follow-up was 19 (range 2-24) months. Pre-operative X-rays in all cases identified an isolated degenerative arthritis of the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint. Average DASH evaluation pre-operatively of 49 was reduced to 39. All of the patients had functional improvement and returned to daily activities after 3 months. The results of this pilot study suggest that the STPI may prove a useful compromise treatment for this problem.

The surgical treatment of the first carpometacarpal joint arthritis: evaluation of 400 consecutive patients treated by suspension arthroplasty.

Arthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint is a widespread disease in Western countries. It affects predominantly women with marked impairment in daily life activities. Its aetiopathogenesis is well described, while its treatment still controversial. The authors report their experience with 400 consecutive patients with established clinical and radiological findings of carpometacarpal joint arthritis treated by suspension arthroplasty with Ceruso's modified Weilby's technique. At 12 months follow-up, we were able to assess 315 patients using MAYO's score pre- and post-operatively, obtaining 86 excellent results, 134 good, 62 fair and 33 poor. As for complications, there were seven infections, 32 persistent pain and 42 limited range of motion. According to our experience the treatment modality of suspension arthroplasty with Ceruso's modified Weilby's technique represents the procedure of choice in indicated cases of first carpometacarpal joint arthritis in advanced stages according to Eaton-Littler classification.

Pollicization in congenital differences.

Pollicization of the index finger is a well established procedure for some cases of thumb hypoplasia. We reviewed our experience of 27 "normal" index-finger pollicizations with a mean follow-up of seven years, excluding those cases with more extensive radial hypoplasia and abnormal fingers. Even in such an "ideal" situation, strength was deceptive and the frequently slender aspect of the new thumb with quite extensive dorsal scar formation and the "cleft" appearance of the first web disappointing. In a prospective series of 32 cases, we tried to improve both the function and appearance of the thumb by modifying the classical incision as well as the transferred muscles and tendons.

[Technical note: ulnar "pseudo-pollicisation" in congenital hand differences]. / La technique de "pseudo-pollicisation" dans les différences congénitales.

In certain rare cases of thumb aplasia or hypoplasia, pollicisation of the second finger is not recommended or impossible. It happens when the most radial fingers are hypoplastic or abnormal or when an ulnar prehension pattern has already developed. In these cases, if functional, pollicisation of the most ulnar finger in not suitable because of the ugly cosmetic result. In order to combine the functional advantages of the ulnar pollicisation with a satisfactory cosmetic appearance, the authors describe pseudo-ulnar pollicisation by supination osteotomy. This operation combines rotation of the fifth ray with the establishment of a larger web space between the two most ulnar fingers. We have used this technique in five preliminary cases with a minimum follow-up of 18 months.