ABSTRACT
Abstract Patients with radial-sided wrist pain can be challenging to diagnose and treat. Various physicians, including emergency physicians, primary care physicians, and orthopedic or plastic surgeons can be involved in the initial and subsequent evaluation. We delve into the differential diagnosis of radial-sided wrist pain including osteoarticular, ligament, tendon, nerve, and other pathologies. We review the physical exam findings, diagnostic studies, and treatment options for each pathology based on recent and updated literature.
Resumen Los casos de pacientes que presentan dolor radial de muñeca pueden ser de difícil diagnóstico y tratamiento. Varias especialidades médicas, incluidas emergentólogos, médicos de atención primaria, cirujanos ortopédicos o cirujanos plásticos, pueden estar involucrados desde el inicio de la patología y subsecuente evaluación. Pro fundizamos aquí en el diagnóstico diferencial del dolor radial de muñeca incluyendo las debidas a patologías osteoarticulares, ligamentosas, tendinopatías y neuropatías, entre otras. Esta revisión incluye examen físico, estudios diagnósticos, y opciones terapéuticas para cada condición con base en la literatura reciente y actualizada.
ABSTRACT
Patients with radial-sided wrist pain can be challenging to diagnose and treat. Various physicians, including emergency physicians, primary care physicians, and orthopedic or plastic surgeons can be involved in the initial and subsequent evaluation. We delve into the differential diagnosis of radial-sided wrist pain including osteoarticular, ligament, tendon, nerve, and other pathologies. We review the physical exam findings, diagnostic studies, and treatment options for each pathology based on recent and updated literature.
Los casos de pacientes que presentan dolor radial de muñeca pueden ser de difícil diagnóstico y tratamiento. Varias especialidades médicas, incluidas emergentólogos, médicos de atención primaria, cirujanos ortopédicos o cirujanos plásticos, pueden estar involucrados desde el inicio de la patología y subsecuente evaluación. Profundizamos aquí en el diagnóstico diferencial del dolor radial de muñeca incluyendo las debidas a patologías osteoarticulares, ligamentosas, tendinopatías y neuropatías, entre otras. Esta revisión incluye examen físico, estudios diagnósticos, y opciones terapéuticas para cada condición con base en la literatura reciente y actualizada.
Subject(s)
Wrist Joint , Wrist , Humans , Wrist/diagnostic imaging , Retrospective Studies , Wrist Joint/diagnostic imaging , Wrist Joint/surgery , Arthralgia/diagnostic imaging , Arthralgia/etiology , Diagnosis, DifferentialABSTRACT
Purpose: There is a high demand for minor hand surgeries within the veteran population. The objective of this study was to compare clinical outcomes and resource use at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) of hand surgeries performed in minor procedure rooms (MPR) and operating rooms using local anesthesia with or without monitored anesthesia care. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all patients undergoing carpal tunnel release, de Quervain's release, foreign body removal, soft tissue mass excision, or A1 pulley release at a VAMC over a 5-year period. Data collected included demographic information, mental health comorbidities, presence of preoperative and postoperative pain, complications after surgery, time to surgery, number of personnel in surgery, turnover time between cases, and time spent in the postanesthesia care unit. Statistical analysis included Fisher exact or chi-square analysis to compare MPR versus operating room groups and Student t test or Mann-Whitney test to compare continuous variables. Results: In this cohort of 331 cases, 123 and 208 patients underwent surgery in MPRs and operating rooms, respectively. Preoperative and postoperative pain were similar between the MPR and operating room groups. Complications were slightly lower in the MPR group versus the operating room group (0% MPR vs 2.9% operating room). Median time from surgical consult to surgery was 6 days less for MPR patients (15 vs 21). The MPR cases also used fewer personnel during surgery, averaging 4.76 versus 4.99 people. The MPR patients spent 9 minutes less in the postanesthesia care unit (median, 36 vs 45 minutes) and turnover time between cases was nearly 8 minutes faster in MPRs than in operating rooms (median, 20 vs 28 minutes). Conclusions: Minor procedure rooms at a VAMC allow more veteran patients to be scheduled for minor hand surgeries within a shorter time frame, utilize less staff and postoperative monitoring, and maintain excellent outcomes with limited complications. Clinical relevance: Minor hand surgeries in MPRs have outcomes equivalent to those of operating rooms with improved time savings and resource use.