Surgical management of slightly or non-displaced corporal scaphoid fractures by retrograde percutaneous screw fixation through the anterior trapezium horn: A single-center retrospective French study of 33 patients between January 2015 and January 2019.

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous screw fixation has recently gained popularity as an alternative to conservative treatment to avoid prolonged immobilization. The placement of a screw in the central axis of the scaphoid has been shown to be biomechanically superior to its eccentricity. Still, it poses difficulties in performing percutaneous screw fixation via both palmar and dorsal approaches. OBJECTIVE: We describe a palmar percutaneous screwing of corporal fractures of the scaphoid by a simple palmar transtrapezial approach allowing an optimal centering of the screw. METHOD: We selected patients operated on by the same surgeon using the palmar transtrapezial approach between January 2015 and January 2019 based on the coding used for these fractures and the operative reports. In addition, pre- and postoperative data were collected from the patient's computer and paper records and by telephone contact with the patients. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were included. Percutaneous screw fixation of the scaphoid was performed under locoregional anesthesia in the operating room with one arm in the supine position on the arm table. No hyper-extension of the wrist was performed. The Kirchner guidewire passed through the anterior horn of the trapezium and then into the trapezium-scaphoid joint. A screw replaced it after satisfactory centering in the axis of the scaphoid. Management took place on average within 12 days after the trauma. 75.8% were A2 fractures, according to Herbert's classification. The average operating time was 16.63minutes, and in 91% of the cases, the patient was hospitalized for one day. The variation of the scapholunate angle on the preoperative profile radiographs with the angle defined by the axis of the scaphoid screw and the lunate postoperatively was on average 2.94°. One patient presented nonunion, and four showed an undersized screw with a screw overhang requiring revision surgery. CONCLUSION: The transtrapezial approach to fixation of acute scaphoid fractures facilitates precise percutaneous screw placement in the central axis of the scaphoid. A study of long-term complications, including the degenerative impact on the scaphotrapezial joint, is needed to assess the safety of passage through the anterior horn of the trapezium.

Does vitamin C supplementation improve rotator cuff healing? A preliminary study.

PURPOSE: One of the complications after rotator cuff repair is a tendon non-healing. It has already been posited in the literature that vitamin C (VC) promotes tendon healing through its antioxidant properties and its role as a cofactor in collagen synthesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of postoperative VC supplementation on the tendon healing following repair. METHODS: This randomized monocentric prospective study included 98 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in 1-year period and follow-up ultrasound 6 months postoperatively. The cohort was divided into two groups: the VC+ group (500 mg/day PO for 45 days postoperatively) and the VC- group (no supplementation). The evaluation criterion was tendon healing at 6 months postoperatively according to the Sugaya ultrasound classification. Preoperative and postoperative clinical evaluations were based on active mobilities, the Constant score and the subjective shoulder value. RESULTS: There was no difference in term of postoperative outcomes between the two groups. At an average follow-up of 6.3 months, the non-healing rate in the overall population was 17%. This rate was higher in VC- compared to VC+, respectively, 23% vs. 11%), p = 0.2. CONCLUSION: This study showed a trend to improve tendon healing after rotator cuff repair with VC supplementation. However, a prospective study with a larger patient population should be conducted to confirm this finding.

BCGitis of the wrist after intravesical BCG therapy: A case report.

Septic arthritis of the wrist can result in joint destruction, making timely diagnosis crucial for initiating empiric antibiotics and surgical intervention. Mycobacterium is a rare cause of this disorder. A 47-year-old man with bladder cancer was treated surgically and received BCG intravesical therapy. Eleven months later, this patient developed severe carpal BCGitis requiring total carpal resection. The first step was addition of a cement spacer and radiometacarpal stabilisation (Masquelet technique). Secondary infections occurred aggravating the prognosis. This case emphasises the importance of taking into account the patient's medical history. Tuberculosis of the wrist is a rare etiology for septic arthritis; delayed treatment leads to severe complications and functional sequelae.

Prospective study of 80 volar wounds of the hand and wrist: Correlations between clinical examination and intraoperative findings.

Hand and wrist volar wounds are a common cause of emergency room (ER) visits. These wounds are explored surgically in the operating room at most hospitals. The main objective of our study was to prospectively assess the correlation between clinical examination in the ER performed by a surgical resident and the tendon, vascular and/or nerve damage found during surgery in hand and wrist volar wounds. The second objective was to describe the lesions based on their mechanism, as well as their topography. Eighty patients from two hand surgery referral centers were included. Patients' past medical history was obtained, as well as records of their physical examination in the ER and description of lesions found during surgery. In 28% of wounds with a normal clinical examination, tendon, vascular or nerve damage was found on surgical exploration. Out of the cases that tested negative for tendon injury in the ER, 16% had partial tendon injury or digital tunnel wound discovered during surgery. Nerve damage was found during surgery in 12% of cases that had not been detected clinically preoperatively. Based on our findings, we recommend performing surgical exploration for all volar hand and wrist wounds in the operating room, as physical examination does not detect all tendons, vascular or nerve injuries.

Radioscapholunate arthrodesis versus radiolunate arthrodesis in rheumatoid wrist surgery: Clinical and radiographic outcomes.

Radiolunate arthrodesis is a validated surgical technique in rheumatoid wrist surgery. When the radioscaphoid joint is involved or when there is radiolunate instability, a radioscapholunate arthrodesis must be preferred. The objective was to compare clinical and radiographic outcomes for both types of arthrodesis. Patients were evaluated retrospectively at a minimal follow-up of 12 months after radiolunate arthrodesis (RL-A group) or radioscapholunate arthrodesis (RSL-A group). Mean follow-up was 10.7 years (1-25 years). One hundred and one patients were included in RL-A group and 26 in RSL-A group. At follow-up, pain level was significantly reduced by 3.7 points and by 2.9 points in RL-A and RSL-A groups, respectively. Mobility in flexion/extension was significantly reduced by 25° in both groups. DASH and PRWE scores were 42.9 and 41.4 in RL-A group, 41.8 and 20.6 in RSL-A group, respectively. Larsen stage for the midcarpal joint increased significantly in both groups (+0.8 in RL-A group; +0.9 in RSL-A group), carpal height index decreased (-0.03 in RL-A group (significant); -0.02 in RSL-A group (non-significant)), carpal ulnar translation index increased (+0.038 in RL-A group; +0.037 in RSL-A group), without significant difference between both groups. Nonunion rate was significantly higher in RSL-A group (62%) than in RL-A group (30%). A pain free and functional wrist can be obtained after radiolunate and radioscapholunate arthrodesis. However, arthritis lesions and carpal deformities increased with follow-up similarly with both surgical techniques. Our results have shown that radiolunate arthrodesis remains a reliable surgical procedure for advanced rheumatoid wrist.

Influence of vitamin C on the incidence of CRPS-I after subacromial shoulder surgery.

PURPOSE: The primary aim of this study was to determine whether postoperative administration of vitamin C (VC) is associated with reduced risk of complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-I) after subacromial shoulder surgery (SaSS). The secondary objective of the study was to identify risk factor for the development of CRPS-I after SaSS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed to evaluate 542 patients undergoing SaSS from January 2015 to December 2016. The cohort was divided into two groups based on VC administration [Group I (no VC) and Group II (500 mg/day oral VC for 50 days postoperatively)]. The relationship between VC administration and development of CRPS-I was assessed. Demographics, preoperative clinical parameters, and operative variables were evaluated to determine their effect on the incidence of CRPS-I. RESULTS: A total of 267 patients (Group II) undergoing SaSS received VC, and 266 patients (Group I) did not. The incidence of CRPS-I was significantly different between two groups (36(13%) vs 18(7%), p = 0.009). Multivariable regression, however, demonstrated that VC reduced the risk of CRPS-I after SaSS by > 50% (aOR = 0.49; 95% CI 0.27-0.91). Patients undergoing open surgery (aOR = 2.19; 95% CI 1.2-4.0) were more likely to develop CRPS-I postoperatively. Higher preoperative Constant score (aOR = 0.94; 95% CI 0.91-0.98) was associated with lower risk for CRPS-I development. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found that VC administered prophylactically for 50 days postoperatively is effective in preventing CRPS-I development after SaSS. CRPS-I is a common complication following SaSS, especially in the setting of an open approach. The authors recommend preventive management with VC and arthroscopic approaches when possible for SaSS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: Retrospective comparative study.

Functional outcomes after surgical treatment of isolated scaphotrapeziotrapezoid osteoarthritis: Retrospective single-center 24-case series.

Isolated scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) osteoarthritis has functional consequences on the wrist. The main objective of our study was to evaluate the functional outcomes of patients managed surgically during the last 12 years at the Toulouse University Hospital, regardless of the surgical technique used, for isolated STT osteoarthritis. We performed a single-center retrospective observational study using the CCAM database. The inclusion criteria were patients treated surgically for isolated STT osteoarthritis who did not respond to conservative treatment, with at least 6 months of clinical and radiological follow-up. Twenty-four patients were treated between 2006 and 2018. Partial arthroplasty of the distal pole of the scaphoid with or without interposition and total trapeziectomy had been performed on these patients. The mean follow-up was 79±46.8 months. The wrist range of motion (ROM) and the Kapandji score were not significantly reduced postoperatively. The mean postoperative QuickDASH score was 29.15±8.46. The mean pain assessed using a visual analog scale was 6.6±1.17 preoperatively versus 1.25±1.51 postoperatively (P=0.003). Statistical subgroup analysis found no predictive factor for a better postoperative QuickDASH score, and no surgical technique was superior at halting the progression of intracarpal misalignment and postoperative ROM. Surgical treatment of isolated STT osteoarthritis resistant to conservative treatment leads to significant functional improvement, particularly in terms of pain, without altering the wrist's overall mobility.

Degenerative subtalar joints complicated by medial plantar intraneural cysts : cutting the cystic articular branch prevents recurrence.

AIMS: The pathogenesis of intraneural ganglion cysts is controversial. Recent reports in the literature described medial plantar intraneural ganglion cysts (mIGC) with articular branches to subtalar joints. The aim of the current study was to provide further support for the principles underlying the articular theory, and to explain the successes and failures of treatment of mICGs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2006 and 2017, five patients with five mICGs were retrospectively reviewed. There were five men with a mean age of 50.2 years (33 to 68) and a mean follow-up of 3.8 years (0.8 to 6). Case history, physical examination, imaging, and intraoperative findings were reviewed. The outcomes of interest were ultrasound and/or MRI features of mICG, as well as the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The five intraneural cysts followed the principles of the unifying articular theory. Connection to the posterior subtalar joint (pSTJ) was identified or suspected in four patients. Re-evaluation of preoperative MRI demonstrated a degenerative pSTJ and denervation changes in the abductor hallucis in all patients. Cyst excision with resection of the articular branch (four), cyst incision and drainage (one), and percutaneous aspiration/steroid injection (two) were performed. Removing the connection to the pSTJ prevented recurrence of mIGC, whereas medial plantar nerves remained cystic and symptomatic when resection of the communicating articular branch was not performed. CONCLUSION: Our findings support a standardized treatment algorithm for mIGC in the presence of degenerative disease at the pSTJ. By understanding the pathoanatomic mechanism for every cyst, we can improve treatment that must address the articular branch to avoid the recurrence of intraneural ganglion cysts, as well as the degenerative pSTJ to avoid extraneural cyst formation or recurrence. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:183-9.

Results of non-operative treatment of olecranon fracture in over 75-year-olds.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery is the gold-standard treatment of displaced olecranon fracture, but is associated with numerous complications, especially in the elderly. Functional results of non-operative treatment in this population have never been analyzed in a prospective study. STUDY HYPOTHESIS: Non-operative treatment of isolated olecranon fracture with stable elbow-joint in over 75-year-olds gives functional results comparable to those of surgery as reported in the literature, with fewer complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study analyzed functional results of non-operative treatment of isolated closed Mayo I and II olecranon fracture with stable elbow, in patients aged ≥75 years. The principal assessment criterion was functional recovery on the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and QuickDASH at 6 months. RESULTS: Twenty-two fractures in 21 patients were included. Mean MEPS was 95.26/100 (range, 85-100), and mean QuickDASH 4.3 (range, 0-29.55). Eighteen fractures showed osteoarthritis of the olecranon. There were no cases of elbow instability. There were no complications. DISCUSSION: Non-operative treatment of olecranon fracture in patients aged ≥75 years provided excellent functional results at 6 months, without associated complications. TYPE OF STUDY: Single-center prospective observation cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

The minimum follow-up required for radial head arthroplasty: a meta-analysis.

AIMS: The primary aim of this study was to define the standard minimum follow-up required to produce a reliable estimate of the rate of re-operation after radial head arthroplasty (RHA). The secondary objective was to define the leading reasons for re-operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four electronic databases, between January 2000 and March 2017 were searched. Articles reporting reasons for re-operation (Group I) and results (Group II) after RHA were included. In Group I, a meta-analysis was performed to obtain the standard minimum follow-up, the mean time to re-operation and the reason for failure. In Group II, the minimum follow-up for each study was compared with the standard minimum follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 40 studies were analysed: three were Group I and included 80 implants and 37 were Group II and included 1192 implants. In Group I, the mean time to re-operation was 1.37 years (0 to 11.25), the standard minimum follow-up was 3.25 years; painful loosening was the main indication for re-operation. In Group II, 33 Group II articles (89.2%) reported a minimum follow-up of < 3.25 years. CONCLUSION: The literature does not provide a reliable estimate of the rate of re-operation after RHA. The reproducibility of results would be improved by using a minimum follow-up of three years combined with a consensus of the definition of the reasons for failure after RHA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1561-70.

Posterior shoulder instability managed by arthroscopic acromial pediculated bone-block. Technique.

In posterior shoulder instability (recurrent dislocation, involuntary posterior subluxation or voluntary subluxation that has become involuntary), surgery may be considered in case of failure of functional treatment if there are no psychological contraindications. Acromial bone-block with pediculated deltoid flap, as described by Kouvalchouk, is an alternative to iliac bone-block, enabling triple shoulder locking by the blocking effect, the retention hammock provided by the deltoid flap and posterior capsule repair. Arthroscopy allows shoulder joint exploration and diagnosis of associated lesions, with opening and conservation of the posterior capsule; it greatly facilitates bone-block positioning and capsule reinsertion. The present report describes the procedure in detail. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Technical note.

Painful posterior shoulder instability: Anticipating and preventing failure. A study in 25 patients.

BACKGROUND: Painful posterior shoulder instability (PPSI) is the least common of the three clinical patterns of posterior shoulder instability. PPSI is defined as pain combined with anatomical evidence of posterior instability but no instability events. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We studied a multicentre cohort of 25 patients with PPSI; 23 were identified retrospectively and had a follow-up of at least 2 years and 2 patients were included prospectively. Most patients engaged in sports. RESULTS: All 25 patients underwent surgery, which usually consisted in arthroscopic capsulo-labral reconstruction. The outcome was excellent in 43% of patients; another 43% had improvements but reported persistent pain. The pain remained unchanged or worsened in the remaining 14% of patients. Causes of failure consisted of a missed diagnosis of shoulder osteoarthritis with posterior subluxation, technical errors, and postoperative complications. The main cause of incomplete improvement with persistent pain was presence of cartilage damage. CONCLUSION: Outcomes were excellent in patients who were free of cartilage damage, bony abnormalities associated with posterior instability (reverse Hill-Sachs lesion, erosion or fracture of the posterior glenoid), technical errors, and postoperative complications.

Outcomes of capsulolabral reconstruction for posterior shoulder instability.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of isolated posterior shoulder instability-a rare and often misdiagnosed condition-is controversial because of poor outcomes. Failure of physical therapy in symptomatic young athletes requires capsulolabral reconstruction or bone block procedures. The goal of this study was to report the outcomes of patients who have undergone surgical capsulolabral reconstruction and to look for risk factors that contribute to failure of this procedure. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We analyzed the outcomes of 101 patients who underwent capsulolabral reconstruction: 83 included retrospectively, 18 included prospectively. The procedures were performed alone or in combination with capsular shift, labral repair, closure of the rotator interval and notch remplissage. The primary endpoint was failure of the procedure, defined as recurrence of the instability and/or pain. We also determined the outcomes based on specific (Walch-Duplay, modified Rowe) and non-specific (Constant, resumption of activities) scores of shoulder instability. RESULTS: The results were satisfactory despite a high failure rate: 35% in the retrospective cohort with 4.8±2.6 years' follow-up and 22% in the prospective cohort with 1.1±0.3 years' follow-up. The various outcome scores improved significantly. Ninety-two percent of patients returned to work and 80% of athletes returned to their pre-injury level of sports. Eighty-five percent of patients were satisfied or very satisfied after the surgery. No risk factors for failure were identified; however, failures were more common in older patients, those who underwent an isolated procedure and those who had unclassified clinical forms. CONCLUSION: Treatment of posterior shoulder instability by capsulolabral reconstruction leads to good clinical outcomes; however, the recurrence rate is high. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 - retrospective study.

Posterior shoulder instability: Prospective non-randomised comparison of operative and non-operative treatment in 51 patients.

BACKGROUND: The management of posterior shoulder instability remains controversial. Consequently, for a symposium on this topic, the French Arthroscopy Society (SFA) conducted a prospective multicentre study comparing outcomes of operative and non-operative treatment. OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes after operative versus non-operative treatment of posterior shoulder instability. HYPOTHESIS: The surgical treatment of posterior shoulder instability may achieve better clinical outcomes than non-operative treatment in selected patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients were included prospectively then followed-up for 12months. Three groups were defined based on the clinical presentation: recurrent dislocation or subluxation, involuntary instability or voluntary instability that had become involuntary, and shoulder pain with instability. Of the 51 patients, 19 received non-operative therapy involving a three-step rehabilitation programme and 32 underwent surgery with a posterior bone block, labral repair and/orcapsule tightening, or bone defect filling. At inclusion and at last follow-up, the Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), Rowe score, Walch-Duplay score, and Constant score were determined. RESULTS: The preliminary results after the first 12 months are reported here. In the non-operative and operative groups, the Constant score was 78 versus 87, the Rowe score 64 versus 88, and the Walch-Duplay score 69 versus 82, respectively. These differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this study is the first comparison of non-operative versus operative treatment in a cohort of patients with documented posterior shoulder instability. Outcomes were better with operative treatment. However, this finding remains preliminary given the short follow-up of only 1 year. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, case-control study.

Clinical outcomes of posterior bone block procedures for posterior shoulder instability: Multicenter retrospective study of 66 cases.

BACKGROUND: The posterior bone block procedure is a well-known treatment option for posterior shoulder instability. The goal of this retrospective multicenter study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of this procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 66 patients (55 men, 11 women) with an average age of 27.8 years who were evaluated clinically and radiologically using a standardized questionnaire after posterior bone block surgery. RESULTS: The Constant score significantly improved postoperatively (P<0.0001). The postoperative Walch-Duplay score was 81.5. The Rowe score was 86.5 points. The pain level (VAS) was significantly reduced after this procedure (P<0.0001). Eighty-five percent of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the outcome. CONCLUSION: This multicenter study of 66 patients shows that the posterior bone block procedure is an effective technique with good subjective and objective outcomes; however, the possibility of complications cannot be ignored. CLINICAL STUDY: Level of evidence IV.

Mid-term outcomes of 77 modular radial head prostheses.

AIMS: Radial head arthroplasty (RHA) may be used in the treatment of non-reconstructable radial head fractures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mid-term clinical and radiographic results of RHA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2002 and 2014, 77 RHAs were implanted in 54 men and 23 women with either acute injuries (54) or with traumatic sequelae (23) of a fracture of the radial head. Four designs of RHA were used, including the Guepar (Small Bone Innovations (SBi)/Stryker; 36), Evolutive (Aston Medical; 24), rHead RECON (SBi/Stryker; ten) or rHead STANDARD (SBi/Stryker; 7) prostheses. The mean follow-up was 74.0 months (standard deviation (sd) 38.6; 24 to 141). The indication for further surgery, range of movement, mean Mayo Elbow Performance (MEP) score, quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (quickDASH) score, osteolysis and positioning of the implant were also assessed according to the design, and acute or delayed use. RESULTS: The mean MEP and quickDASH scores were 90.2 (sd 14; 45 to 100), and 14.0 points (sd 12; 1.2 to 52.5), respectively. There were no significant differences between RHA performed in acute or delayed fashion. There were 30 re-operations (19 with, and 11 without removal of the implant) during the first three post-operative years. Painful loosening was the primary indication for removal in 14 patients. Short-stemmed prostheses (16 mm to 22 mm in length) were also associated with an increased risk of painful loosening (odds ratio 3.54 (1.02 to 12.2), p = 0.045). Radiocapitellar instability was the primary indication for re-operation with retention of the implant (5). The overall survival of the RHA, free from re-operation, was 60.8% (sd 5.7%) at ten years. CONCLUSION: Bipolar and press-fit RHA gives unsatisfactory mid-term outcomes in the treatment of acute fractures of the radial head or their sequelae. The outcome may vary according to the design of the implant. The rate of re-operation during the first three years is predictive of the long-term survival in tight-fitting RHAs. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B1197-1203.

Description and ultrasound targeting of the origin of the suprascapular nerve.

Anatomical variations in the suprascapular nerve (SSN) and its depth in the suprascapular notch can make it difficult to target with ultrasonography (US). One alternative could be a proximal approach to the SSN, if US provides a reliable description of its origin (orSSN). The primary objective of this study was to demonstrate that US can reliably locate the orSSN. The secondary objective was to describe the features of the proximal SSN. Seventy brachial plexuses (BPs) from 30 healthy volunteers (60 BPs) and 5 cadavers (10 BPs) were included. There were two parts to this study: (1) description of the proximal SSN in healthy volunteers using US to determine the diameter, depth and location of the orSSN; (2) targeting of the orSSN with US in cadaver limbs to determine its distance from the needle, ink marking and locating the orSSN. In Part I, the diameter of the orSSN averaged 1.33 mm (1-9 mm) and its depth averaged 5.12 mm (2.7-10.6 mm). The orSSN was located in the upper trunk of the BP (53) or its posterior division (7). In Part II, the orSSN was successfully targeted in nine of the 10 specimens by US; the needle/orSSN distance averaged 3.8 mm (0-8 mm). The implanted needle was at the orSSN in two cases, proximal to it in seven and distal to it in one. US is a valid modality for describing and pinpointing the orSSN, irrespective of patient morphology. Clin. Anat. 30:747-752, 2017. © 2017Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Denervation of the wrist with two surgical incisions. Is it effective? A review of 33 patients with an average of 41months' follow-up.

The goal of wrist denervation is to decrease pain at the wrist, whether caused by an intra- or extra-articular problem or even when the reason for the pain is unknown. It is an alternative to partial or total arthrodesis and proximal row carpectomy. Our hypothesis was that wrist denervation with a two-incision technique was a reliable and efficient way to treat painful degenerative wrists. Thirty-three patients, 48years old on average, were included in this study. Indications were scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) in 18 cases, scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) in 10, distal radius fracture sequelae with advanced radiocarpal osteoarthritis in 4, and post-traumatic ulnocarpal impingement in 1 case. At 41 months' follow-up (12-161), there was a 75% reduction in pain levels, decreasing from 7.1 to 1.8 on a visual analog scale (VAS). There were no modifications related to wrist range of motion or grip strength. The QuickDASH averaged 23 points (5 to 70). Radiographic evaluation showed progression of intracarpal degeneration in 6 patients. All but 2 patients returned to their previous work. Persistent dysesthesia was observed in 7 patients; it resolved in 3 cases and persisted in 4. One patient developed complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). A midcarpal arthrodesis with scaphoidectomy was performed in one patient because of disabling pain 5months after surgery. Wrist denervation with a two-incision technique for post-traumatic osteoarthritis led to satisfactory results in 75% of cases with reduction in pain, preservation of range of motion and grip strength. However, this technique does not stop the progression of osteoarthritis. It can be discussed as a therapeutic alternative to proximal row carpectomy or intracarpal arthrodesis to treat degenerative painful wrists. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Physical therapy under hypnosis for the treatment of patients with type 1 complex regional pain syndrome of the hand and wrist: Retrospective study of 20 cases.

Type 1 complex regional painful syndrome (CRPS-1) has a complex physiopathology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of physical therapy under hypnotherapy to treat this condition. Twenty patients with CRPS-1 at the wrist and hand were evaluated retrospectively: 13 women and 7 men with an average age of 56 years (34-75). Thirteen patients were in the inflammatory phase and 7 in the dystrophic phase. The main endpoints were pain (VAS, analgesic use), stiffness (wrist and finger range of motion), and strength (pinch and grasp). Secondary endpoints were functional scores (QuickDASH, PWRE), patient satisfaction, return to work, and side effects. Results were satisfactory in all cases after 5.4 sessions on average. VAS decreased by 4 points, PWRE-pain by 4.1 points, and analgesic use was limited to paracetamol upon request. Finger and wrist range of motion increased and the QuickDASH decreased by 34 points, PRWE-function by 3.8 points, pinch strength increased 4 points, and grasp strength by 10 points. Return to work was possible in 80% of the cases. All patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment. Physical therapy under hypnosis appears to be an effective treatment for CRPS-1 at the wrist and hand no matter the etiology.

Proximal row carpectomy on manual workers: 17 patients followed for an average of 6 years.

Proximal row carpectomy (PRC) is indicated for the treatment of SNAC or SLAC wrist with preservation of the midcarpal joint. Our hypothesis was that PRC is not appropriate for treating advanced wrist osteoarthritis in patients who carry out heavy manual work. Twenty-three PRCs were performed on 21 patients, 5 women and 16 men with an average age of 54 years (33-77). All patients performed manual work; 11 of them performed heavy manual work. Etiologies were: SLAC wrist in 14 cases (2 stage III, 11 stage II, and 1 stage I) and SNAC wrist in 9 cases (6 stage IIIB and 3 stage IIB). At an average 75 months' follow-up (24-153), five patients were lost to follow-up. Radiocarpal arthrodesis was performed in one patient 10 years after the PRC. In the 17 remaining patients (18 wrists), pain (VAS) averaged 2.2, with residual pain of 5. Flexion-extension range was similar to preoperative levels (67% of contralateral wrist). Wrist strength was decreased by 34% compared to preoperative. The QuickDASH score averaged 26 points and the PRWE 20 points. Radiocapitate distance decreased by 0.3mm on average with joint line narrowing in 6 patients. The carpal translation index was 0.33mm, which was unchanged relative to preoperative values. Three patients had work-related limitations that required retraining and one patient had to be reassigned. PRC preserved the preoperative range of motion and reduced pain levels. However, significant loss of strength was observed, resulting in 23% of manual workers needing retraining or reassignment. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.