Repair of the dorsal capsuloligamentous scapholunate septum during arthroscopic resection of painful dorsal wrist ganglion cyst: Comparative analysis of two techniques.

We compared arthroscopic cyst resection (ACR) of dorsal ganglia of the wrist, either associated to reconstruction of the dorsal capsuloligamentous scapholunate septum (ACR-DCSS) in 66 cases in which the ganglia were painful on exertion, or isolated ACR in 15 pain-free cases. A single-center retrospective study analyzed data for the period April 2013 to May 2021. The main aim was to compare pre- and post-operative functional results (pain at rest (on a numerical rating scale: NRS), pain under effort (NRS), range of motion (°), grip strength (kg)) and recurrence rate between the two techniques. The study hypothesis was that DCSS repair improves recurrence of dorsal ganglion cyst and functional outcome. The ACR-DCSS group showed significant improvement in extension, pronation, supination, radial inclination, ulnar inclination, grip strength, pain at rest and pain on exertion. The ACR group showed significant improvement in pronation, ulnar inclination and pain on exertion. There was a significant difference in recurrence rate, in favor of ACR-DCSS. Recovery was also significantly better for the ACR-DCSS group in terms of extension, supination and pain at rest. Arthroscopic treatment of wrist ganglion cyst is a reliable, minimally invasive and reproducible technique that produces good results in terms of pain and recovery of range of motion, with significantly lower recurrence rate in case of DCSS repair. Level of evidence: Therapeutic III.

Traumatic lesions at the thumb base: Treatment options.

Traumatic lesions around the base of the thumb have special features due to the location and structure of the joint and its inherent potential instability. This causes different fracture patterns, which are mostly isolated around the metacarpal base but can also involve just the trapezium or both. Exceptionally, there may be isolated dislocation. Fracture patterns are variable and influence the type of surgery. The most common fracture is Bennett's fracture accounting for 4% of all hand fractures and sometimes associated with trapezium fracture, usually in male subjects. Different fracture mechanisms have been proposed. Apart from intra-articular fractures of the metacarpal base and the trapezium, proximal metaphyseal fractures can exceptionally be treated conservatively by immobilization. All other fractures require open or closed reduction combined with different types of temporary pinning or open reduction and internal fixation with screws or locking plate in case of comminution. Immobilization depends on the type of surgical treatment and can be removable or non-removable. Close follow-up is mandatory to avoid the inconveniences of secondary swelling with non-removable plaster and resin casts. Extra-articular malunion may be tolerated, but articular malunion must be corrected surgically by intra-articular osteotomy to restore the joint. In case of posttraumatic joint degeneration, treatment will focus on a case-by-case basis on the patient's complaints. Arthrodesis or prosthetic surgery can be proposed in case of severe problems caused by osteoarthritis.

Pronator quadratus repair after volar plate fixation in distal radial fractures: evaluation of the clinical and functional outcome and of the protective role on the flexor tendons-a randomized controlled study.

The objective was to evaluate pronator quadratus (PQ) repair following volar plating of distal radial fractures on clinical and functional outcome, as well as flexor tendon friction, during the first 12 months in ideally positioned plates (Soong 0). Confounding factors like variation in plate positioning, anatomical consolidation of the fracture and associated lesions were excluded. Eighty patients were included with distal radius fractures treated by volar locking plate in Soong grade 0 position, who were randomized to group PQ repair and group no repair. Sixty-five patients completed the 1-year follow-up: group PQ repair (n = 35) and group no repair (n = 30). Primary outcomes included range of motion, grip strength, pain level and QuickDASH. Secondary outcomes included distance between flexor pollicis longus (FPL) and volar rim and the largest distance between FPL and plate (soft tissue thickness occupied by PQ), assessed by ultrasonography. Mobility, grip strength and QuickDASH revealed no significant differences, except extension was significantly higher only in first 3 months and radial deviation was significantly higher only at 6 weeks after PQ repair. Pain level was significantly lower after PQ repair only in the first 3 months. Distance between FPL and volar rim and the largest distance between FPL and plate were significantly higher after PQ repair. No friction contact between FPL and volar rim was measured in both groups at all measurement moments. Consequently, protective flexor tendon effect of PQ repair could consequently not be concluded. In conclusion, clinical and functional short term benefits, except improved wrist extension and reduced pain in the first 3 months, were not proven in this study. In Soong grade 0, PQ repair is probably not necessary to prevent flexor tendon pathology. In Soong grade 1 or 2, this is still to be investigated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.