Epidemiology of and Risk Factors for Table Saw Injuries of the Hands and Fingers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate circumstances surrounding power saw injuries. We hypothesized that power saw injuries are caused by either inexperienced or inappropriate usage of saws. Methods: A retrospective review of patients at our level 1 trauma center from January 2011 to April 2022 was conducted. Patients were screened using surgical billing records based on Current Procedural Terminology codes. Codes associated with revascularization; amputation of digits; and repair of tendon, nerve, and open metacarpal and phalanx fractures were queried. Patients who sustained power saw injuries were identified. They were then contacted by phone, and a standardized questionnaire was administered. Verbal consent was included in the standardized script, which was approved by the institutional review board. Results: One hundred eleven patients were identified who underwent surgical treatment for power saw injuries of the hands. Of them, we were able to contact 44 patients, who consented to and completed the questionnaire. Of all of the contacted patients, 40 (91%) were men, with an average age of 55 years (range, 27-80 years). No patients were intoxicated when the injury occurred. Thirty-two (73%) patients had used the same saw for more than 25 times. Sixteen (36%) patients had not received formal training regarding safe use of their saw, and 7 (16%) had removed a safety mechanism prior to the injury. Thirteen (30%) patients had used the saw on an unstable surface, and 17 (39%) reported not having changed the saw blade regularly. Conclusions: Power saw injuries occur for a multitude of reasons. Contrary to our hypothesis, more experience with the use of saws does not necessarily protect one from saw injuries. These findings highlight the need for formal training among new saw users and continuing education for the more experienced to help reduce the incidence of saw injuries that require surgical intervention. Type of study/level of evidence: Prognostic IV.

Intramedullary Headless Screw Fixation for Phalanx Fractures: Technique and Review of Current Literature.

Fractures of the phalanges can often be managed nonoperatively, but displaced phalangeal fracture patterns, including malrotation, are more amenable to operative treatment. There are several described methods for surgical management of phalanx fractures, but there remains no consensus on a clearly superior method of fixation. Percutaneous Kirschner wires, interfragmentary screws, plate and screw constructs, intramedullary nails, and cannulated intramedullary headless screws are all utilized in the treatment of these fractures. Intramedullary headless screws for phalanx fractures may provide suitable fixation allowing early motion and recovery. Here, we describe a technique for antegrade and retrograde intramedullary headless screw fixation for phalanx fractures.

Infection and Nonunion After Fasciotomy for Compartment Syndrome Associated With Tibia Fractures: A Matched Cohort Comparison.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to compare the rates of union and infection in patients treated with and without fasciotomy for acute compartment syndrome (ACS) in operatively managed tibia fractures. DESIGN: This was a retrospective review. SETTING: The study was conducted at both a Level 1 and Level II trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Patients operated for tibial plateau fractures (group 1) and tibial shaft fractures (group 3) with ACS requiring fasciotomy were matched to patients without ACS (plateau: group 2, shaft: group 4) in a 1:3 ratio for age, sex, fracture pattern, and open/closed injury. INTERVENTION: Surgical treatment was provided with plates/screws (plateau fractures) or intramedullary rod (shaft fractures). Patients with ACS were treated with a 2-incision 4-compartment fasciotomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Time to union and incidence of deep infection, nonunion, and delayed union. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-four patients were included-group 1: 23 patients, group 2: 69 patients, group 3: 23 patients, and group 4: 69 patients. Time to union averaged 26.8 weeks for groups 1 and 3 and 21.5 weeks for groups 2 and 4 (P > 0.05). Nonunion occurred in 20% for groups 1 and 3 and in 5% for groups 2 and 4 (P = 0.003). Deep infection developed in 20% for groups 1 and 3 and in 4% for groups 2 and 4 (P = 0.001). There was a significant increase in infection in group 1 versus group 2 and nonunion in group 3 versus group 4. There were significantly more smokers for those with fasciotomies (46%) than without (20%, P < 0.001), though all statistical results remained similar after a binary regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Four-compartment fasciotomies in patients with tibial shaft or plateau fractures is associated with a significant increase in infection and nonunion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Retrograde headless intramedullary screw fixation for displaced fifth metacarpal neck and shaft fractures: short term results.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the early clinical outcomes of retrograde headless intramedullary screw fixation for displaced fifth metacarpal neck and shaft fractures. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed nine patients treated with retrograde intramedullary screw fixation of fifth metacarpal neck and shaft fractures between 2011 and 2013. Patient demographics and outcomes including hand dominance, age, sex, type of injury, injury and postoperative radiographs, return to work, time to fracture union radiographically, complications, visual analog score, disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand scores, postoperative metacarpophalangeal joint range of motion, and grip strength were recorded. RESULTS: Nine fractures in nine patients with a mean age of 32 years (19-54) were included. There were seven metacarpal neck and two metacarpal shaft fractures. All patients sustained injury by direct impact of fist against an object. No case involved worker's compensation. Patients had a mean follow-up of 36 weeks (6-57 weeks) and at the time of latest follow-up had no pain. Mean radiographic healing was 49 days (28-85 days). Mean return to work was 6 weeks (4-10 weeks). Mean metacarpalphalangeal joint motion was 0° extension and 90° flexion. Mean disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand scores pre- and postoperatively improved from 43 to 0.7, respectively. The mean postoperative grip strength was measured of the injured hand (40 kg) and un-injured hand (41 kg). CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde headless intramedullary screw fixation of fifth metacarpal neck and shaft fractures has overall favorable early outcomes and offers the benefit of stable fixation, early motion without cast immobilization, and the ability for early return to work. This technique is a viable surgical option for these fractures and may be considered in the appropriate patient population.

Postero-lateral disc prosthesis combined with a unilateral facet replacement device maintains quantity and quality of motion at a single lumbar level.

BACKGROUND: Mechanically replacing one or more pain generating articulations in the functional spinal unit (FSU) may be a motion preservation alternative to arthrodesis at the affected level. Baseline biomechanical data elucidating the quantity and quality of motion in such arthroplasty constructs is non-existent. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to quantify the motion-preserving effect of a posterior total disc replacement (PDR) combined with a unilateral facet replacement (FR) system at a single lumbar level (L4-L5). We hypothesized that reinforcement of the FSU with unilateral FR to replace the resected, native facet joint following PDR implantation would restore quality and quantity of motion and additionally not change biomechanics at the adjacent levels. STUDY DESIGN: In-vitro study using human cadaveric lumbar spines. METHODS: Six (n = 6) cadaveric lumbar spines (L1-S1) were evaluated using a pure-moment stability testing protocol (±7.5 Nm) in flexion-extension (F/E), lateral bending (LB) and axial rotation (AR). Each specimen was tested in: (1) intact; (2) unilateral FR; and (3) unilateral FR + PDR conditions. Index and adjacent level ROM (using hybrid protocol) were determined opto-electronically. Interpedicular travel (IPT) and instantaneous center of rotation (ICR) at the index level were radiographically determined for each condition. ROM, ICR, and IPT measurements were compared (repeated measures ANOVA) between the three conditions. RESULTS: Compared to the intact spine, no significant changes in F/E, LB or AR ROM were identified as a result of unilateral FR or unilateral FR + PDR. No significant changes in adjacent L3-L4 or L5-S1 ROM were identified in any loading mode. No significant differences in IPT were identified between the three test conditions in F/E, LB or AR at the L4-L5 level. The ICRs qualitatively were similar for the intact and unilateral FR conditions and appeared to follow placement (along the anterior-posterior (AP) direction) of the PDR in the disc space. CONCLUSION: Biomechanically, quantity and quality of motion are maintained with combined unilateral FR + PDR at a single lumbar spinal level.