Reverse or Ulnar-Sided, Greater Arc Perilunate Injury: Case Report and Systematic Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Perilunate injuries of carpal bones are uncommon, high-energy injuries that necessitate early diagnosis and appropriate management to prevent progressive carpal instability and posttraumatic osteoarthritis. A much more uncommon mechanism that starts from the lunotriquetral ligament and proceeds radially in an opposite direction than the classic mechanism may cause a reverse or ulnar-sided perilunate dislocation (PLD). The purposes were: (1) to present an uncommon case of greater arc reverse (ulnar-sided) perilunate fracture-dislocation (REPLFD); and (2) to conduct a systematic review (SR) to evaluate the current evidence on reverse perilunate injuries (REPLIs). METHODS: A novel pattern of injury of REPLFD with fractures of the ulnar styloid, triquetrum, and capitate is presented. A SR was conducted with primary outcome measures of the type of injury (pathoanatomy of lesions) and pathomechanics. Secondary outcome measures were choice of surgery and outcome on follow-up. RESULTS: The Murad's tool and modified Coleman Methodology Score revealed poor methodological quality of the available literature on REPLI. Evidence is lacking in the mechanism of injury and treatment of REPLI, especially regarding REPLFD. CONCLUSIONS: The SR revealed poor methodological quality of the available literature and exposes that not all PLDs can be explained by the current existing pathomechanical injury classifications. However, following the management principles of perilunate injuries, REPLI tends to have good functional results with no major complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V.

Misdiagnosed and maltreated scaphoid fractures - costly both for society and patients: A review of filed claims to the Swedish National Patient Insurance Company 2011-2018.

Misdiagnosed and maltreated scaphoid fractures filed to the Swedish National Patient Insurance Company (LÖF) 2011-2018 were analyzed in terms of complications and costs for society. All filed claims are database-registered (altogether 200 000 claims since 2000). This database was assessed in June 2019 through injury ICD10-SWE-diagnoses. Demographics, complications, complaints, corrective surgeries and costs were analyzed. The numbers of claims for scaphoid fractures were reviewed and compared with all claims. There was a statistically significant trend towards decreasing numbers of notified scaphoid fracture cases during this time. This is not the case compared with the total annually notified injuries to LÖF during the same time, where we instead can see statistically significant increased numbers. Median age for the 128 patients was 24 years. Men represented 76%. Seventy-eight of the 128 (61%) claims were judged as avoidable, compared with 42% in terms of all notified injuries. Pseudoarthrosis dominated as complication (n = 71). Total numbers of complications were 117, and 47 of the 78 patients had medical invalidity as a consequence. Up to six secondary corrective surgeries per patient were required. Complications and disabilities were more severe if patients needed more than one surgery. The total costs were calculated to €1 226 193. Level of Evidence: LoE III, Therapeutic.

Cartilage Injuries and Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis in the Wrist: A Review.

OBJECTIVE: Focal cartilage injuries, and posttraumatic osteoarthritis (OA) in the wrist are likely common and a cause of wrist pain. To estimate the incidence of cartilage lesions and to understand the pathomechanisms leading to wrist cartilage injuries and OA, a literature review on the subject was performed combined with a presentation of one of the authors' own experience. DESIGN: This study includes a literature review of the topic. As a comparison to the review findings, the observations of one of the authors' consecutive 48 wrist arthroscopies, were assessed. PubMed, Scholar, and Cochrane databases were searched using the keywords "cartilage injury AND wrist AND treatment" and "wrist AND cartilage AND chondral AND osteochondral AND degenerative OA." :RESULT: A total of 11 articles, including 9 concerning chondral and osteochondral repair and treatment and 2 regarding posttraumatic OA, were retrieved. The cartilage repair treatments used in these articles were drilling, osteochondral autograft, juvenile articular cartilage allograft, and chondrocyte implantation. One article displayed concomitant cartilage injuries in displaced distal radius fractures in 32% of the patients. The review of our findings from a 1-year cohort of wrist arthroscopies showed 17% cartilage injuries. CONCLUSION: There is a lack of knowledge in current literature on cartilage injuries and treatment, as well as posttraumatic OA in the wrist. Cartilage injuries appear to be common, being found in 17% to 32% of all wrist arthroscopies after trauma, but no guidelines regarding conservative or surgical treatment can be recommended at the moment. Larger prospective comparative studies are needed.

Hand, Wrist, and Forearm Injuries in Male Professional Soccer Players: A Prospective Cohort Study of 558 Team-Seasons From 2001-2002 to 2018-2019.

BACKGROUND: The literature on upper extremity injuries in professional soccer players is scarce, and further insight into the onset and cause of these injuries as well as potential differences between goalkeepers and outfield players is important. PURPOSE: To investigate the epidemiology of hand, wrist, and forearm injuries in male professional soccer players between 2001 and 2019. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: Between the 2001-2002 and 2018-2019 seasons, 120 European male soccer teams were followed prospectively for a varying number of seasons (558 team-seasons in total). Time-loss injuries and player-exposures to training sessions and matches were recorded on an individual basis in 6754 unique players. Injury incidence was reported as the number of injuries per 1000 player-hours, and between-group differences were analyzed using Z statistics and rate ratios (RRs) with 95% CIs. Between-group differences in layoff time were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 25,462 injuries were recorded, with 238 (0.9%) of these affecting the hand (71.4%; n = 170), wrist (16.8%; n = 40), and forearm (11.8%; n = 28), producing an incidence of 0.065 injuries per 1000 hours. A majority of the injuries were traumatic with an acute onset (98.7%; n = 235). Fractures were the most common injuries recorded (58.8%; n = 140), often involving the metacarpal bones (25.2%; n = 60) and phalanges (10.1%; n = 24). The injury incidence was significantly higher for goalkeepers (115 injuries; 0.265 per 1000 hours) compared with outfield players (123 injuries; 0.038 per 1000 hours) (RR, 7.0 [95% CI, 5.4-9.0]). Goalkeepers also had a significantly longer mean layoff time than outfield players (23 ± 27 vs 15 ± 27 days; P = .016). CONCLUSION: Injuries to the hand, wrist, and forearm constituted less than 1% of all time-loss injuries in male professional soccer players. Fractures were most common and constituted more than half of all injuries. Goalkeepers had a 7-fold higher incidence and an over 1-week longer mean layoff time compared with outfield players.

Intrarater reliability test of the ISOmetric power device-A new instrument for assessment of isometric force in six directions of wrist motion.

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive reliability study. INTRODUCTION: A well-functioning wrist requires sufficient range of motion accompanied by adequate strength in every movement and direction-factors that are not regularly measured simultaneously in patients with wrist problems today. The ISOmetric Power device (ISOP) is a new instrument that measures isometric wrist force in all six directions of motion, but its intrarater reliability in a healthy population has not yet been evaluated. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to perform an intrarater reliability test of the ISOP in healthy participants. METHODS: Thirty-two healthy study participants (16 women/16 men; mean age 38.3 years; SD 6.5) were included. With a standardized testing protocol, the three planes of wrist motion- wrist flexion/extension, radial/ulnar deviation, pro/supination-were measured at one time interval (T1) and repeated after one week (T2). The results were analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). A paired-samples t-test was also performed to determine if a statistically significant difference (P < .05) existed between the first and the second test values. Measurements with Jamar Dynamometer were performed at both time intervals, for internal control of measurement intrarater reliability. RESULTS: Excellent correlations (ICC: 0.90-0.99) were found for all test-retests performed. The lowest value (ICC: 0.90) was seen for supination and the highest value (ICC: 0.99) for flexion of the left hand. No statistically significant differences were found in any of the pairs (P > .05) in terms of test-re-test, which additionally strengthen the correlation between the first and second test values. DISCUSSION: Contrary to the Jamar Dynamometer, the ISOP is not designed for measuring grip strength, but for assessing the isometric muscle force in flexion, extension, pronation, supination, and radial and ulnar deviation. A systematic review has reported a moderate to strong correlation between isometric strength and dynamic performances. Thus, the ISOP is a more complete and applicable instrument for evaluating the functional strength in different directions in the upper extremity. CONCLUSIONS: The ISOmetric Power device shows excellent intrarater reliability and is proposed to be a possible valuable wrist strength assessment tool to aid in both diagnostics and outcome measures of wrist and upper extremity disorders.

Ulnar Wrist Deviation in Children With Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy: A Descriptive Study of Clinical and Radiological Findings of Impaired Ulnar Growth and Associated Incongruence of the Distal Radioulnar Joint.

Backround: Some children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) present later on with an ulnarly deviated wrist. The aim of this study was to present a retrospective analysis of a subgroup of OBPP children with ulnarly deviated wrists and to describe their morphologic wrist deformity in terms of clinical and radiological appearance. Methods: We present a retrospective analysis of the records of 27 children with an ulnarly deviated wrist as a consequence of OBPP. Radiographs of the affected wrist were performed when the ulnar deformity became clinically manifest and merited investigation, at a mean age of 15 (range: 6.5-27) years. Available clinical and radiological data were analyzed and categorized. Results: The ulnar-deviated position was associated with impaired active and passive pronosupination in all patients. Fifteen fixed supination deformities and 3 anterior radial head dislocations were noted clinically. Plain radiographs were completed in 24 patients and could be analyzed in 18, showing variations in ulnar variance (7 neutral, 7 ulna minus, and 4 ulna plus) along with 6 subluxations of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). Of the patients treated surgically (n = 7), only the 2 patients treated with wrist fusion had an actual improvement in ulnar wrist deformity. Conclusion: Radiologically visible ulnar head hypoplasia, overgrowth of the distal ulna, or a shortened ulnar diaphysis and an incongruent DRUJ were present in all examined OBPP patients with a clinically evident ulnarly deviated wrists. The radiological findings highlight the morphologic adaptation behind this clinical condition and could allow further investigation into suitable treatment strategies.

Patients With Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injuries and Distal Radioulnar Joint Instability Gain Improved Forearm Peak Pronation and Supination Torque After Reinsertion.

Background: Forearm peak pronation and supination torque measurements are reduced up to 30% in patients with triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) 1B injuries with concomitant distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether patients with TFCC 1B injuries, with concomitant DRUJ instability, improve in forearm peak pronation and supination torque following TFCC reinsertion surgery where postoperative DRUJ stability was achieved. Methods: We report a retrospective case series with short-term follow-up (20 months) of the postoperative forearm peak torque in pronation and supination in 11 patients (9 women/2 men, average age at surgery 32 years) operated on by TFCC reinsertion. Two of the initial 13 patients were later on reoperated due to recurring DRUJ instability and were therefore excluded in this follow-up study. Nine were treated by arthroscopic TFCC reinsertion and 2 by open technique. The forearm peak pronation and supination torque were measured pre- and postoperatively and compared with the uninjured side. Results: On average, a 16% improvement of the forearm peak torque was achieved in the injured wrist, as well as clinically assessed DRUJ stability. Functional postoperative improvement was noted in all patients, with reduced pain, good satisfaction, and acceptance of the surgery and the final result. Conclusion: We conclude that patients with TFCC injuries and DRUJ instability gain improved forearm peak pronation and supination torque after reinsertion. We also conclude that forearm peak pronation and supination torque is a valuable tool in the preoperative diagnostics of TFCC injuries with DRUJ instability as well as in the postoperative follow-up.

Level of evidence in wrist ligament repair and reconstruction research: a systematic review.

There have been numerous studies on surgery of wrist ligament injuries, but a quick assessment reveals few with a high level of evidence (LoE). The primary aim of this study was to categorize the study type and LoE of studies on repair and reconstruction of the scapholunate ligament, the lunotriquetral ligament and the triangular fibrocartilage complex by applying the LoE rating system proposed by the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. The secondary aims were to evaluate the journal- and geographic- distribution of the included studies.An electronic literature search of articles published 1985-2016, in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library was carried out in May 2016 and updated in April 2017. Therapeutic studies written in English were included. The PRISMA checklist guided the extraction and reporting of data.A total of 1889 studies were analyzed, of which 362 were included. Three journals represented 40% of the included studies and American authors dominated.Most studies (97%) had low LoE (IV-V). No studies of LoE I-II were found. There is insufficient evidence to recommend one technique over the other in terms of wrist ligament surgery in clinical practice. There is an immense lack of comparison studies with high level of evidence in the area of wrist ligament repair and reconstruction.

Open versus arthroscopic repair of the triangular fibrocartilage complex: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To investigate the outcome of open versus arthroscopic repair of injuries of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). METHODS: An electronic literature search of articles published between January 1, 1985, and May 26, 2016, in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was carried out in May 2016 and updated in March and December 2017. Studies comparing open and arthroscopic repair of TFCC injury with a mean follow up of more than 1 year were eligible for inclusion. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist guided the extraction and reporting of data. The methodological quality of the included articles was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias. The primary outcome measure was the rate of postoperative distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) re-instability. Secondary outcome measures were range of motion (ROM), grip strength, residual pain, functional wrist scores and the rates of complications and re-operations. RESULTS: A total of 868 articles were identified by the electronic search. After duplicate removal and subsequent study selection, a total of two studies were included in this systematic review. The methodological quality of the included articles displayed risks of bias. There was no difference in DRUJ re-instability between open and arthroscopic repair of the TFCC. There were no differences in obtained postoperative ROM, grip strength or values in functional outcome scores, between open and arthroscopic TFCC repair in the two included studies, except for the Disability of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire - in favor of arthroscopic surgery - in one of the included studies. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review shows comparable results between open and arthroscopic repair of the TFCC, in terms of DRUJ re-instability and functional outcome scores. There is insufficient evidence to recommend one technique over the other in clinical practice. There is an immense lack of comparison studies with high level of evidence in the area of wrist ligament repair and reconstruction, including TFCC-injuries and DRUJ-instability.

Forearm Torque and Lifting Strength: Normative Data.

PURPOSE: To establish reference values for new methods designed to quantitatively measure forearm torque and lifting strength and to compare these values with grip strength. METHODS: A total of 499 volunteers, 262 males and 237 females, aged 15 to 85 (mean, 44) years, were tested for lifting strength and forearm torque with the Kern and Baseline dynamometers. These individuals were also tested for grip strength with a Jamar dynamometer. Standardized procedures were used and information about sex, height, weight, hand dominance, and whether their work involved high or low manual strain was collected. RESULTS: Men had approximately 70% higher forearm torque and lifting strength compared with females. Male subjects aged 26 to 35 years and female subjects aged 36 to 45 years showed highest strength values. In patients with dominant right side, 61% to 78% had a higher or equal strength on this side in the different tests performed. In patients with dominant left side, the corresponding proportions varied between 41% and 65%. There was a high correlation between grip strength and forearm torque and lifting strength. Sex, body height, body weight, and age showed a significant correlation to the strength measurements. In a multiple regression model sex, age (entered as linear and squared) could explain 51% to 63% of the total variances of forearm torque strength and 30% to 36% of lifting strength. CONCLUSIONS: Reference values for lifting strength and forearm torque to be used in clinical practice were acquired. Grip strength has a high correlation to forearm torque and lifting strength. Sex, age, and height can be used to predict forearm torque and lifting strength. Prediction equations using these variables were generated. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Normative data of forearm torque and lifting strength might improve the quality of assessment of wrist and forearm disorders as well as their treatments.

Cost description of clinical examination and MRI in wrist ligament injuries.

OBJECTIVE: The total number and cost of wrist MRIs in the catchment area of the Västra Götaland Region in Sweden (population 1 723 000) during 1 year was analysed, together with the number and content of referrals. METHODS: Six radiology departments reported the numbers and rate of all MRI investigations intended to diagnose wrist ligament injuries (n = 411) and other injuries to the wrist. RESULTS: The additional cost of the difference between MRIs and a clinical examination by a hand surgeon, plus indirect costs for patients with suspected wrist ligament injuries, was calculated as 957 000 euros. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that MRI should only be used in patients in whom there are clinical difficulties in terms of diagnosing wrist ligament injuries. It is suggested that patients with suspected wrist ligament injuries should be referred directly to an experienced hand surgeon, capable of performing a standardised wrist examination and, when needed, diagnostic arthroscopy and final treatment. The proposed algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of suspected wrist ligament injuries presented in the present study could save time for the patient and for the radiology departments, as well as reducing costs. The ability to implement the early and appropriate treatment of acute ligament injuries could be improved at the same time.

Treatment of scapholunate ligament injury: Current concepts.

Injuries to the scapholunate joint are the most common cause of carpal instability.An isolated injury to the scapholunate ligament may progress to abnormal joint mechanics and degenerative cartilage changes.Treatment for scapholunate instability is aimed at arresting the degenerative process by restoring ligament continuity and normalising carpal kinematics.Early arthroscopic diagnosis of scapholunate injury is mandatory for establishing the prognosis of the injury, as a proper ligament repair is recommended within four to six weeks after trauma.In this review, anatomy, diagnosis and treatment of scapholunate ligament injury and carpal instability are discussed. Recommendations for treatment based on the stage and classification of injury and the degree of instability and arthritic changes are proposed. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2017;2:382-393. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.2.170016.

Efficacy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Clinical Tests in Diagnostics of Wrist Ligament Injuries: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To investigate the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical provocative tests on injuries to the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), the scapholunate (SL) ligament, and the lunotriquetral (LT) ligament. METHODS: An electronic literature search of articles published between January 1, 2000, and February 28, 2014, in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was carried out in April 2014. Only studies of the diagnostic performance of MRI and clinical provocation tests using wrist arthroscopy as the gold standard were eligible for inclusion. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist guided the extraction and reporting of data. The methodologic quality of the included articles was assessed with the revised Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool. The primary outcome measure was the negative predictive value (NPV) of wrist MRI and provocative wrist tests, which was defined as the probability of an intact wrist ligament given a negative investigation. The question was whether negative results of MRI or provocative tests were enough to safely discontinue further investigation with arthroscopy. A minimum NPV of 95% was considered a clinically relevant cutoff value. The secondary outcome measures were the positive predictive value (PPV), sensitivity, and specificity. RESULTS: A total of 7 articles (327 patients with MRI and 105 patients with clinical tests) were included in this systematic review. The included articles displayed heterogeneity regarding participants, diagnostic methods, and study design. Seven articles investigated the diagnostic performance of MRI, whereas 1 article investigated clinical testing. The NPVs of MRI were as follows: TFCC, 37% to 90%; SL ligament, 72% to 94%; and LT ligament, 74% to 95%. The NPVs of clinical tests were 55%, 74%, and 94% for the TFCC, SL ligament, and LT ligament, respectively. Only 1 study reached the predetermined cutoff value for the primary outcome measure (NPV ≥95%) but only for MRI of the LT ligament; this study also reached a borderline-cutoff NPV of 94% for MRI of the SL ligament. Another study reached borderline-cutoff NPVs of 94% both for MRI and for clinical tests of the LT ligament. CONCLUSIONS: A negative result from MRI is unable to rule out the possibility of a clinically relevant injury to the TFCC, SL ligament, or LT ligament of the wrist. Clinical provocation wrist tests were of limited diagnostic value. The current gold standard--wrist arthroscopy--remains the preferred diagnostic technique with sufficient conclusive properties when it comes to wrist ligament injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, systematic review of Level II diagnostic studies.