Local flaps of the hand.

Hand injuries are common, and due to the complex functions of the hand, soft tissue defects present a surgical challenge in reconstruction. Hand defects exposing deeper structures warrant reconstruction with local flaps, but in Denmark, reconstruction surgery of the hand is routinely managed within the orthopaedic specialty alone with no plastic surgical involvement. This review aims at describing the most common local flaps of the hand and forearm and encourage to stronger collaboration between hand- and plastic surgeons in Denmark.

A Modified Arthroscopic Ulnar Tunnel Technique for Combined Foveal and Capsular (All-Inside) Fixation of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injury.

Background Traumatic disruption of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is commonly present in various wrist traumas. A variation of surgical techniques is previously developed for different injury patterns. To our knowledge, only a few studies have investigated the fixation of combined foveal and capsular TFCC injuries using the ulnar tunnel technique. Purpose This prospective cohort study of 21 patients aimed to evaluate the clinical and patient-reported outcome at 2 years of follow-up after arthroscopic TFCC of combined, foveal, and capsular reattachment by modified ulnar tunnel technique. Methods Pain, grip strength, wrist motion, inclusive rotation, and patient-reported outcomes were assessed pre- and postoperatively at 2 years of follow-up. Results No complications occurred preoperatively. Pain and patient-reported outcomes improved significantly ( p < 0.0001 and 0.004). Grip strength improved, but not significantly ( p = 0.088). The range of motion remained unchanged. All the patients achieved full stability of the distal radioulnar joint. Two patients sustained a new TFCC injury due to a wrist trauma and underwent a reoperation successfully. Two patients experienced complications: one patient experienced tenderness caused by cyst occurrence after PushLock ankers and the second had subluxation of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon subsheet. Both patients were successfully treated and reoperated on with curettage of the cyst, and reconstruction of the extensor carpi ulnaris retinaculum. All the patients ended with good or excellent satisfaction scores. Conclusion The ulnar tunnel technique for combined foveal and capsular injuries shows promising short-term follow-up results and high satisfaction scores in the patients. Level of Evidence II (Prospective Corhorte).

Single- and Bicolumn Limited Intercarpal Fusion: A Solution for the SLAC or SNAC Wrist.

Background Single- or bicolumn limited intercarpal fusion, also called one- or two-column fusion, has been introduced as an alternative to four-corner fusion. The rationale behind this is obtaining less need for bone grafting and consequently improving the chances of the union. Method From August 2014 to October 2020, 45 consecutive patients (15 women), with a mean age of 58.4 years (range: 35-79), have been treated for scapholunate advanced collapse or scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse wrist. In 33 cases, the surgery was performed as two-column fusion, and in 12 cases as one-column fusion. The union was determined by a computed tomography (CT) scan or X-ray follow-up studies. The pain assessments (visual analog score: 0-100), range of motion (ROM), grip strength, and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score were prospectively included. Results Of 45 patients, 43 were available for the follow-up, at a mean of 35 months (range: 12-68). All patients but two achieved union at a mean of 9.5 weeks (range: 5-25 weeks). Pain diminished from 60.3 (mean) preoperatively to 16.7 (mean) postoperatively ( p = 0.0001). Grip strength slightly increased from 28.2 KgF (mean) to 29 KgF (mean) (not significantly, p = 0.86). Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score improved from 39.5 (median) before the surgery to 11 (median) after the surgery ( p = 0.0004). The postoperative ROM of 62/37 degrees (mean) were recorded for total dorsovolar/radioulnar flexions, respectively. Three patients were converted to total wrist fusion and one to total wrist arthroplasty. One had a rearthrodesis to two-column fusion, which united. Conclusion One- and two-column fusion showed significant improvement in pain and function, with minimal impairment of the grip strength on the short- to mid-term follow-up. A union rate of 95% and an acceptable complication rate were achieved, without fusing all carpals. Level of Evidence Prospective, cohort study, level III.

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.

Limited intercarpal fusion versus proximal row carpectomy in the treatment of SLAC or SNAC wrist, results after 3.5 years.

The present study compares the postoperative clinical, radiological, and patient-reported functional results between the surgical procedures Proximal Row Carpectomy and Limited Carpal Fusion, in the treatment of SLAC and SNAC conditions of the wrist. 15 Proximal Row Carpectomy patients and 45 Limited Carpal Fusion patients were included in the study. Postoperative outcomes were assessed and compared for pain at load, range of motion, grip strength, Quick-DASH, and satisfaction. A radiological assessment was performed at the follow-up. The Proximal Row Carpectomy patients had a mean age of 60 years (range 31-77) and a mean follow-up of 42 months. The Limited Carpal Fusion patients had a mean age of 58 years (range 35-76) and a mean follow-up of 41 months. The patients treated with Limited Carpal Fusion performed significantly better regarding pain, radial-ulnar motion, and the Quick-DASH (p = 0.002, p = 0.003, and p = 0.002), respectively. The grip strength difference between the treatment groups was stratified for gender and was found significantly better for men in the LCF-treated patients, but not different for women (p = 0.03, p = 0.26), respectively. Differences in flexion-extension between the groups were insignificant (p = 0.525). A higher conversion rate to total wrist fusion was observed in the patients treated with the Proximal Row Carpectomy. All the Proximal Row Carpectomy patients had osteoarthritis at follow-up, whereas it was seen in 19% of the Limited Carpal Fusion patients. The patient-reported satisfaction was substantially better for the Limited Carpal Fusion patients. In conclusion, among patients treated for SNAC and SLAC wrist conditions, besides the findings of flexion-extension, and grip strength which were found without difference for women the findings are in favour of Limited Carpal Fusion compared to Proximal Row Carpectomy. Further, preferably prospective studies are needed to confirm or reject our findings.Level of evidence: Retrospective, comparative cohort study, level III.

Results of arthroscopic cancellous bone grafting for treatment of scaphoid nonunion in comparison with open cancellous bone grafting.

This study primarily aimed to report the outcome of the arthroscopic cancellous bone grafting technique for treating scaphoid nonunion. The secondary aim was to compare the bone union rate and time, and the ability to correct the angulation of the scaphoid, between arthroscopically treated patients (n = 27), and patients treated with open cancellous bone grafting (n = 27). Nine surgeons (two in the arthroscopic and seven in the open group) with Level III experience operated on the patients. The pain score, grip strength and Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score improved significantly after the arthroscopic treatment (p = 0.0001). Arthroscopic cancellous bone grafting achieved union in 25 out of 27 patients. A retrospective comparison with open cancellous bone grafting showed four nonunions. Arthroscopically treated patients healed 5.4 weeks faster compared with the open group (p = 0.033). Patients treated with open grafting had a higher risk of failure (odds ratio = 2.17), although this was not found significant (p = 0.39). The open method corrected the angulation deformity better (dorsal cortical angle correction of 4°) than the arthroscopic method (dorsal cortical angle correction of 1°), but this was not statistically significant neither within the groups (p = 0.55, p = 0.87) nor postoperatively between the groups (p = 0.98). The height-to-length ratio was not different before and after the surgery for the arthroscopic group (p = 0.44) and the open group (p = 0.27), or postoperatively between the groups (p = 0.44).Level of evidence: III.

Arthroscopic versus open cancellous bone grafting for scaphoid delayed/nonunion in adults (SCOPE-OUT): study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Scaphoid non-union results in pain and decreased hand function. Untreated, almost all cases develop degenerative changes. Despite advances in surgical techniques, the treatment is challenging and often results in a long period with a supportive bandage until the union is established. Open, corticocancellous (CC) or cancellous (C) graft reconstruction and internal fixation are often preferred. Arthroscopic assisted reconstruction with C chips and internal fixation provides minimal trauma to the ligament structures, joint capsule, and extrinsic vascularization with similar union rates. Correction of deformity after operative treatment is debated with some studies favouring CC, and others found no difference. No studies have compared time to union and functional outcomes in arthroscopic vs. open C graft reconstruction. We hypothesize that arthroscopic assisted C chips graft reconstruction of scaphoid delayed/non-union provides faster time to union, by at least a mean 3 weeks difference. METHODS: Single site, prospective, observer-blinded randomized controlled trial. Eighty-eight patients aged 18-68 years with scaphoid delayed/non-union will be randomized, 1:1, to either open iliac crest C graft reconstruction or arthroscopic assisted distal radius C chips graft reconstruction. Patients are stratified for smoking habits, proximal pole involvement and displacement of > / < 2 mm. The primary outcome is time to union, measured with repeated CT scans at 2-week intervals from 6 to 16 weeks postoperatively. Secondary outcomes are Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Q-DASH), visual analogue scale (VAS), donor site morbidity, union rate, restoration of scaphoid deformity, range of motion, key-pinch, grip strength, EQ5D-5L, patient satisfaction, complications and revision surgery. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will contribute to the treatment algorithm of scaphoid delayed/non-union and assist hand surgeons and patients in making treatment decisions. Eventually, improving time to union will benefit patients in earlier return to normal daily activity and reduce society costs by shortening sick leave. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05574582. Date first registered: September 30, 2022. Items from the WHO trial registry are found within the protocol.

A modified arthroscopic ulnar tunnel technique for foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex injury.

Arthroscopically assisted techniques for the treatment of foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries offer a less invasive option. Reports of the ulnar tunnel technique on a larger patient population are needed. This prospective cohort study of 44 patients aimed to evaluate the clinical and patient-reported outcome after arthroscopic foveal re-attachment using a novel, modified ulnar tunnel technique. Furthermore, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging findings were compared with the findings from the arthroscopic evaluation. History of ulnar sided wrist pain, positive fovea-sign at the clinical examination and positive hook test at the surgery were the main inclusion criteria for the study. Pain, grip strength, wrist motion and patient-reported outcomes were assessed pre-and postoperatively. The follow-up of this study was 31 months (range 18-48). No complications occurred during the surgery. All outcomes improved besides the range of motion, which remained unchanged. Pain on a visual analogue scale was 63 before, and 14 after the surgery (p = .0004). Pre- and postoperative values of Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire were 41/6, respectively (p = .007). Grip strength, measured in Kilogram-force were 29 and 36, pre-and postoperatively (p = .0004). Conspicuously, all patients achieved stability. Six patients needed re-operation, three for renewed injury. Thirty-nine of 44 patients scored excellent or good on the satisfaction score. We found the devised method to be with fewer complications and with favourable results compared with other techniques for the treatment of TFCC injuries. Level of evidence: III.

Can CT-Scan Measurements of Humpback Deformity, Dislocation, and the Size of Bony Cysts Predict Union after Surgery for Scaphoid Nonunion?

Objective Scaphoid fractures are associated with high rates of late- or nonunion after conservative treatment. Nonunion is reported to occur in approximately 10% of all scaphoid fractures. It is known that the union of scaphoid fractures is affected by factors such as location at proximal pole, tobacco smoking, and the time from injury to treatment. Same factors seem to affect the healing after surgery for scaphoid nonunion. While the impact of preoperative humpback deformity on the functional outcome after surgery has been previously reported, the impact of humpback deformity, displacement, and the presence of bony cysts on union rate and time to healing after surgery has not been studied. Purpose The primary purpose of this study is to assess the association of humpback deformity, fragment displacement, and the size of cysts along the fracture line with the union rate and union time, following surgery of scaphoid nonunion. The second purpose of the study is to investigate the interobserver reliability in the evaluation of computed tomography (CT) scans of scaphoid nonunion. Patients and Methods From January 2008 to December 2018, 178 patients were surgically treated in our institution. After exclusion criteria were met, 63 patients with scaphoid delayed- or established nonunion, and preoperative CT scans of high quality (<2mm./ slice), were retrospectively analyzed. There was 58 men and 5 women with a mean age of 30 years (range: 16-72 years). Four orthopaedic surgeons and one radiologist independently analyzed the CT scans. The dorsal cortical angle (DCA), lateral intrascaphoid angle (LISA), the height-to-length ratio, the size of the cysts, and displacement of the fragments were measured. Healing was defined by CT scan, or by conventional X-ray, and status of no pain at clinical examination. Thirty-two of the patients had developed nonunion (>6 months postinjury), while 31 were in a stage of delayed union (3-6 months postinjury). Results Open surgery with cancellous or structural bone graft was the treatment of choice in 49 patients, 8 patients were treated with arthroscopic bone grafting, and 6 patients with delayed union were operated with percutaneous screw fixation, without bone graft. Overall union rate was 86% (54/63) and was achieved after 84 days (12 weeks) (mean). The failure rate and time to healing were not associated with the degree of the humpback deformity, size of the cysts, or displacement of the nonunion in general. However, greater dislocation, and the localization of the nonunion at the scaphoid waist, showed significant influence on the union rate. Dislocation at nonunion site, in the group of the patients who united after surgery, was 2.7 mm (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-3.7), and in the group who did not unite was 4.2 mm (95% CI: 2.9-5.7); p = 0.048). Time from injury to surgery was significantly correlated with time to union ( p < 0.05), but not associated with the union rate ( p < 0.4). Patients treated arthroscopically achieved faster healing (42 days), (standard deviation [SD]: 22.27) as compared with patients treated by open techniques (92 days; SD: 70.86). Agreement among five observers calculated as intraclass correlation coefficient was for LISA: 0.92; for height-to-length ratio: 0.73; for DCA: 0.65; for size of cysts: 0.61; and for displacement in millimeters: 0.24, respectively. Conclusions The degree of humpback deformity and the size of cysts along the fracture line of scaphoid nonunion have no predictive value for the result, neither for the union rate nor the union time after surgery for the scaphoid nonunion. However, larger dislocation of the fragments measured at the scaphoid waist showed lower union rate. Time to healing following surgery is mainly influenced by the time from injury to the surgical treatment and may be influenced by the choice of the surgical technique. Interrater reliability calculation was best with LISA measurements, and worse with the measurements of the dislocation. Level of Evidence This is a Level III, observational, case-control study.

Normal ranges for measurements of the scaphoid bone from sagittal computed tomography images.

This study aimed to determine normal values of three parameters commonly used to determine malunion by investigating intact scaphoids on sagittal computed tomography images from healthy individuals. We analysed 62 normal scaphoids and found the mean height-length ratio, lateral intrascaphoid angle and dorsal cortical angle to be 0.58, 27° and 128°, respectively. These measurements had good-to-excellent, poor-to-moderate and moderate-to-good inter- and intra-rater reliabilities, respectively. This study provides information on normal parameters of the scaphoid that may inform clinical decision making when assessing malunion. We suggest that the lateral intrascaphoid angle should be used with great caution as a measure of deformity.Level of evidence: III.

Ulnar Head or Total Distal Radioulnar Joint Replacement, Isolated and Combined with Total Wrist Arthroplasty: Midterm Results.

Purpose Various implants have been described for ulnar head replacement (UHR) or for total replacement of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). Many series are small and few reports on mid- or long-term results. This study is primarily aimed to report on the midterm results after ulnar head only and total DRUJ replacement using the uHead in the treatment of painful disorders of the DRUJ. The secondary aim of the study was to eventually assess the combination of UHR and total wrist arthroplasty (TWA). Materials and Methods We included 20 consecutive patients in whom an UHR with the uHead was performed at our institution between February 2005 and March 2017. There were 6 men and 14 women with mean age of 59 years (range: 36-80 years). The mean follow-up time was 5 years (range: 2-15 years). Data were recorded prospectively before operation and at follow-up examinations and entered in a registry. The patients were followed-up at 3 and 6 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively and thereafter annually. In five cases, the uHead was implanted simultaneously with a Remotion TWA. In four cases, a Remotion TWA had been implanted previously. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the cumulative probability of remaining free of revision. A nonparametric Wilcoxon's signed-rank test was used for comparing data not normally distributed (qDASH [quick disabilities of the hand, shoulder, and arm] scores), and the paired parametric Student's t -test was used for normally distributed data (pain and visual analogue scale [VAS] scores, range of motion, and grip strength). Significance was set at a p -value of less than 0.05. Results Pain, grip strength, and the function improved significantly. Pain after surgery decreased with 50 points on the VAS score scale of 100, from 66 (mean), preoperatively (range: 16-97) to 16 (mean; range: 0-51), postoperatively, while grip strength nearly doubled from 12 KgF (mean; range: 4-22), before to 21 KgF (mean; range: 6-36), after the surgery. Patients function measured with qDASH scores improved from 56 (mean; range: 36-75), preoperatively to 19 (mean; range: 4-47), postoperatively. Wrist extension, flexion, and ulnar and radial deviation did not change to a clinically or statistically significant extend, neither did supination nor pronation improved after surgery. While three UHRs were revised early because of pain problems and/or unsatisfactory forearm rotation in two cases and infection in one, 17 had an uncomplicated postoperative course and these patients were satisfied with the results of the surgery at all the follow-ups. Due to limited number of cases, the calculation of significance in comparing combined cases with UHR only cases was abandoned. Conclusion Ulnar head arthroplasty (uHead) showed significant improvement in pain, grip strength, and the function of the patients with a painful disability of the DRUJ, without impairment on mobility on the midterm follow-up. The overall implant survival over the time and the complication rate was acceptable.

Arthroscopically Assisted Bone Grafting Reduces Union Time of Scaphoid Nonunions Compared to Percutaneous Screw Fixation Alone.

Purpose Minimally invasive techniques have been recommended in the treatment of painful but stable scaphoid nonunions. The purpose of this study was to determine if arthroscopically assisted bone grafting provided superior results in healing as compared to percutaneous screw fixation. Materials and Methods One hundred sixty-four consecutive patients with scaphoid nonunions were retrospectively analyzed. One hundred forty-eight patients were treated with the open grafting techniques either with iliac or distal radius bone, leaving 16 patients treated with minimally invasive surgery. In the group treated percutaneously ( n = 8), the time from injury to surgery was 2.5 months (range: 2-4 months) and it was 27.3 months (range: 3-180 months) in the arthroscopic group ( n = 8). The mean age was 39 years (range: 20-66) in the percutaneous group and 22 years (range: 16-32) in the arthroscopic group. In all cases, the Mini Acutrak headless fully threaded compression screw was used. Healing was assessed clinically and radiographically at a minimum follow-up of 12 weeks, mean 7 months (range: 3-12 months). Data were calculated with two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test based on p -value of < 0.05 that was considered statistically significant. Results We recorded no complications in any of the groups. Patients treated arthroscopically received cancellous bone grafting from the distal radius and all patients but one healed at a median of 7.8 weeks (range: 5-18 weeks). Seven patients in the percutaneous group healed at a mean of 10.5 weeks (range: 7-24 weeks), thus leaving one patient from each group without achieving union. Mann-Whitney U test showed the U value of 11, the critical value of U to be 13 ( p < 0.05), thus significantly faster healing was observed in the arthroscopically treated group. Conclusions Arthroscopically treated patients achieved faster healing despite shorter time to surgery in the percutaneous group. Local bone grafting is considered as the main reason for this outcome. Younger population in the arthroscopically treated group may have influenced the result. Level of Evidence This is a Level III comparative study.

Collateral ligament reconstruction of the chronic thumb injury with bio-tenodesis screw fixation.

We describe a new technique for the reconstruction of chronic lesions of the collateral ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal ligaments of the thumb, using a Bio-Tenodesis screw for the fixation of a tendon graft in a triangular manner with proximal apex and allowing early mobilization, starting 2 weeks after operation. Short-term results after 12 to 43 months (mean, 26 mo), showed no significant differences in grip and pinch strength compared with the opposite thumb and restricted loss of motion in the metacarpophalangeal joints (10%) and the interphalangeal joints (4%). We conclude that this technique minimizes the rehabilitation and sick leave period and represents a good alternative to other methods.

Combined perilunate and axial ulnar dislocation of the wrist.

Carpal axial injuries are rare and devastating and can be difficult to classify because of various possible injury combinations. A 54-year-old man was involved in a road accident, resulting in serious injury to his dominant right wrist. An axial injury between the capitate and the hamate was combined with open perilunate dislocation and fracture, metacarpal II and III dislocation, and radial styloid fracture. This specific carpal injury has not been previously described. Our clinical case description will contribute to the understanding of the mechanism and pathology of axial carpal injuries. Proximal row carpectomy and pinning-fixation yielded good result at 3 years follow-up. We posit that these rare axial carpal injuries combined with some stage of perilunar injury can be considered a specific injury type in the classification of axial carpal injuries.

[Mycobacterium marinum is difficult to diagnose]. / Mycobacterium marinum kan være vanskelig at diagnosticere.

The diagnosis of cutaneous Mycobacterium marinum infection is often delayed for months after presentation. In this case the diagnosis and correct treatment was delayed for ten months resulting in possible irreversible damage to the patient's infected finger. The main reason for the delay is lack of knowledge of the mycobacterium.