Arthroscopic Needling Technique for the Treatment of Wrist Ganglia.

Background Synovial cysts (SCs) are the most frequent wrist tumors; the arthroscopic treatment presents good results when surgery is indicated for symptomatic or patients with cosmetic concerns. The tumoral lesion should be arthroscopically decompressed or drained toward the inside of the joint through pedicle opening and resection of a small portion of the capsule. Hence, the cyst pedicle must be found for the success of this technique. Description of Technique Some tricks have already been described to facilitate SC location during arthroscopy. We describe an indirect technique that employs an 18-G needle to enhance SC pedicle location and drainage. The technique involves a puncture on the interval of the carpal extrinsic ligaments where the pedicle is suspected to be remain. When found, cyst is drained with a single-puncture motion of the need which promotes cyst content extravasation due to pressure toward the joint. Patients and Methods This method has been employed in 16 patients, including 9 with dorsal cysts, and seven with volar cysts. Results All patients presented complete recovery and symptom improvement in up to 30 days, with total disappearance of the cyst. There were no relapses or severe complications within the 12-month follow-up. Conclusion This is a safe, useful technique that facilitates location of intra-articular cyst pedicle, thus avoiding unnecessary damage in healthy tissues with no increased costs.

Surgical reconstruction of PIP joint collateral ligament in chronic instability in a high performance athlete: case report and description of technique.

We present a case report describing the surgical technique for the reconstruction of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint collateral ligament using autograft palmaris longus tendon graft. We accomplished this successfully in a high performance professional athlete presenting with chronic instability of the PIP joint. Our surgical reconstructive technique recreated anatomic ligament position, while correcting multidirectional instability without disruption of the other dynamic anatomic structures of the PIP joint. Our results demonstrated excellent clinical and functional results, and we offer our technique as an alternative to tenodesis procedures for individuals with professions that demand PIP motion.

Alternative to the distal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis: lateral approach and plate fixation.

PURPOSE: Several fixation techniques for distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint arthrodesis have been described, with good clinical results and complication rates between 10% and 20%. We propose an alternative technique and fixation method using a lateral approach and 1.3-mm plate and screws fixation. METHODS: Between March and September 2005, 11 patients, totaling 15 fingers, had DIP joint arthrodesis by the described technique. The indications were posttraumatic arthritis in 8 fingers, degenerative or rheumatoid arthritis in 5 fingers, and isolated flexor digitorum profundus tendon lesions in 2 fingers. Patients were analyzed for osseus union, pain relief, and functional mobility of the finger. RESULTS: Arthrodesis relieved pain and restored stability at the 12th week, on average, with osseous union in all patients. All patients maintained full proximal interphalangeal joint motion with pulp-to-palm distance of zero at 6 months of follow-up evaluation. There were no rotational or angular deformities, nail bed lesions, or skin complications. CONCLUSIONS: The lateral approach with plate and screws fixation is an option for DIP joint arthrodesis. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.