Ulnar Neuropathy after Distal Radius Fractures - A Case Series and Review of Literature.

Background: Ulnar neuropathy after a distal radius fracture is rare and has limited reports in literature. As such, there is no consensus regarding the optimal treatment and management of such injuries. We report our experience with managing these uncommon injuries. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted where patients presenting with ulnar neuropathy after sustaining a distal radius fracture were identified from January 2021 to December 2023 from our hospital database. Results: A total of four patients were identified. All of them underwent surgical fixation for their respective fractures. None of them underwent immediate or delayed exploration and decompression of the ulnar nerve. All patients had clinical improvement at 3 months after their initial injuries. Three patients eventually had resolution of the neuropathy between 5 and 9 months post injury, while one had partial recovery and developed a neuroma but declined surgery due to symptoms minimally affecting work and daily activities. Conclusions: Ulnar neuropathy after distal radius fractures may not be as rare as previously thought. Expectant management of the neuropathy would be a reasonable treatment as long as there is no evidence of nerve discontinuity or translocation and that there is clinical and/or electrodiagnostic improvement at 3-4 months after the initial injury. Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic).

Metallosis Following Titanium Implant Use in the Hand: A Case Report and Review of Current Literature.

Adverse reaction to metal debris (ARMD) consists of a spectrum of changes ranging from pure metallosis to aseptic lymphocytic vasculitis-associated lesion and granulomatous inflammation. Currently described ARMD cases are mainly limited to arthroplasty, typically total hip and knee arthroplasties in the lower limb and total wrist arthroplasty in the upper limb. Hypersensitivity to a metallic implant in fracture fixation is rare, and a severe form of metallosis has not been reported so far. In this paper, we present a case of ARMD occurring 10 years after the use of titanium implants for fracture fixation in the hand. Intra-operative findings, histopathological results, and a literature review on ARMD are also described.

The impact of various simulated arthrodesis angles of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the ring and middle finger on grip strength.

INTRODUCTION: Arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint at 40° angle has been proposed by many authors. A smaller angle of arthrodesis results in weaker grip strength of the hand from the quadriga effect. However, arthrodesis at 40° compromises other aspects of hand function including poor aesthetic appearance. This paper aims to quantify the decrease in grip strength at 40°, 20°, and 0° of arthrodesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Grip strengths of the hand were measured using a BASELINE dynamometer at settings II, III, and IV. Baseline grip strength of the subjects were first measured without wearing a splint. Thereafter, subjects wore thermoplastic splints to simulate arthrodesis of the middle and ring finger PIP joint at 40°, 20°, and 0°, and grip strengths were measured again. The grip strength of the hand with simulated arthrodesis was then calculated as a ratio of the baseline. RESULTS: There were 50 subjects yielding 100 sets of results. The results show that average grip strength ratio of the hand decreases progressively from 40° and 20° and to 0° of arthrodesis for both the middle and ring finger. However, the difference in grip strength ratio between 40° and 20° of arthrodesis was minimal. Simulated arthrodesis of the middle finger affected the grip strength ratio more than arthrodesis of the ring finger, and compromised gripping of a smaller handle more than a wider one. CONCLUSION: The decrease in grip strength from 40° to 20° simulated fusion of PIP joint was minimal. Therefore, in so far as grip strength loss is concerned, arthrodesis of the PIP joint at an angle less than 40° can be considered for patients with individual functional and aesthetic concerns.

Suture osteosynthesis in the bony reconstruction of thumb duplication.

Metacarpal osteotomies are done to correct deviation deformity in thumb duplication. We describe a suture-only technique of metacarpal osteosynthesis, without using K-wires. Thirteen Flatt Type IV thumbs and five Wassel Type VII thumbs were reconstructed with this technique. The median follow-up was 23 months. After osteotomy, the metacarpal bone fragments were sutured together with 5-0 polyglactin or 4-0 polydioxanone sutures. Metacarpal fragment displacement was not observed on postoperative radiographs obtained at 1 and 2 weeks. Bony union was achieved at 6 weeks without loss of alignment. The metacarpophalangeal joint alignment was anatomical (≤5° deviation) in eight cases. The mean pre- and postoperative metacarpophalangeal joint alignments were 27° and 9°, respectively. The 11 patients who were available for grading with the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand Score were assessed as good. Complete internalization of the bony fixation eliminates infections associated with exposed K-wires without compromising the overall outcome.Level of evidence: IV.

Scapholunate Ligament Reconstruction With a Novel Technique for Passing Split Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis Tendon Graft Through Bone Tunnels.

We report 2 patients with acute scapholunate dissociation with static instability and wide scapholunate gapping. They underwent scapholunate reconstruction using a split extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon graft via a dorsal approach. This technique is adapted from the modified Brunelli tenodesis, utilizing a portion of the ECRB instead of a flexor carpi radialis tendon graft to reconstruct the scapholunate interosseous ligaments and dorsoradiotriquetral ligaments. The novel aspects of this technique include the use of a trifold plastic sheet of biaxially oriented polypropylene to facilitate the smooth passage of the 2 mm size ECRB tendon graft through the 2 mm bone tunnel. This enables us to avoid drilling larger holes in carpal bones with a relatively poor vascular supply and allows this technique to be utilized in patients with more delicately sized scaphoid and lunate bones. A 2 mm drill bit was used to create the scaphoid and lunate tunnels, which is smaller than that in the published literature. This trifold biaxially oriented polypropylene plastic sheath can be adapted to the use of many other techniques that require passing a tendon graft through a bone tunnel.

Revisiting the Elastic Band Tourniquet in Pediatric Upper Limb Surgery.

Pediatric upper limb surgery requires fine tissue handling in a bloodless surgical field. Standard pneumatic tourniquets are often ineffective in the very young, as they do not fit all limb circumferences. We describe a simple and effective elastic band tourniquet technique and report our experience of safety with 113 cases.

Necrotizing Fasciitis Caused by Cryptococcus gattii.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a severe soft-tissue infection that can lead to high morbidity and mortality. The etiology of NF is often polymicrobial. Although rare, fungal organisms have been known to cause NF. Cryptococcus is a fungal infection that may lead to NF. Here we report the case of a 73-year-old man who had diabetes and presented with pain and swelling in the left hand after being bitten by an insect over the dorsum of the hand. Operative débridement revealed NF caused by Cryptococcus gattii. Antifungal medication was started, and the patient underwent multiple débridements of the hand with subsequent skin grafting. Four months later, the hand wound was completely healed. Authors have reported several cases of NF secondary to Cryptococcus neoformans in immunocompromised patients. The emerging C gattii pathogen affects immunocompetent patients. Although the transmission route is mainly respiratory, direct inoculation has been described as well. Ours is the first reported case of NF secondary to C gattii. It is important to consider fungal elements as a source of NF. Appropriate treatment includes aggressive surgical débridement and antifungal therapy.

An atypical presentation of a flexor intratendinous ganglion of the hand.

Intratendinous ganglions of the hand are rare. We report an unusual case of a ganglion arising within the flexor tendon in the hand. The intratendinous ganglion arose from the flexor digitorium profundus tendon of the little finger, causing flexion deformity of the finger.

Multiple intraneural glomus tumors on a digital nerve: case report.

Glomus tumors are soft-tissue tumors that are commonly found in the hand. Intraneural glomus tumors, however, are rare, and the few reported cases are mostly solitary tumors. We present a woman with a symptomatic swelling on her finger whose imaging findings suggested multiple tumors on the digital nerve, most compatible with a neuroma. Surgical excision and histology, however, confirmed the presence of multiple glomus tumors of the digital nerve. The patient's symptoms resolved after surgery. We describe the biology, typical presentation, and clinico-pathologic features of glomus tumors associated with a peripheral nerve and explore issues that the clinician should consider with multiple tumors.

Long-term results using a treatment algorithm for chronic sesamoiditis of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint.

PURPOSE: We report a series of 18 patients with chronic sesamoiditis of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb treated in the period from 1997 to 2002. We describe a diagnostic clinical test (sesamoid provocation test [SPT]) and present the long-term results of the senior author's treatment algorithm. METHODS: The study included 20 thumbs in 18 patients (8 men and 10 women) with an average age of 36 years. The mean duration of symptoms at initial presentation was 6 months. The dominant thumb was symptomatic in 80% of patients, and 30% of patients gave history of prior trauma. The diagnosis was made clinically and aided by the SPT. Radiographs were normal in 65% of thumbs. The treatment algorithm consisted of steroid injection(s) into the subsesamoid joint. Sesamoidectomy was reserved for patients who were symptomatic (visual analog pain score ≥ 3) after 2 steroid injections. The patients were contacted by telephone in 2010 for an assessment of long-term results. RESULTS: Eight thumbs improved with a single steroid injection whereas 5 thumbs required a second steroid injection. Of the 6 thumbs that underwent sesamoidectomy, 1 required secondary surgery for recurrent symptoms. At long-term follow-up (average, 9 y), 1 patient, who had declined sesamoidectomy, continued to have persistent pain affecting thumb function. CONCLUSIONS: Previous reports have suggested that nonoperative treatment is not effective in the management of chronic sesamoiditis. We found that steroid injections were an acceptable treatment modality with long-lasting results. Failures can be successfully treated with sesamoidectomy. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

An unusual case of primary cutaneous lymphoma presenting in the upper extremity: a case report.

Primary cutaneous lymphomas rarely present to the hand surgeon. Diagnosis of primary cutaneous lymphoma in the upper extremity can be difficult to make, as they are rare, and may be mistaken for other lesions. We report an unusual case of primary cutaneous lymphoma presenting in the upper extremity. This rare differential should be considered when encountered with a lump of similar appearance in the upper extremity.

An unusual case of subungal ossification in the finger.

We report the case of a painless deforming subungual mass at the nail tip, progressively enlarging over three months. Radiographs showed an extra-osseous ossification. Intraoperatively this was found to be a bony mass arising from the sterile matrix. Unusual extra-osseous ossification in the finger is rare and this case highlights the need of this benign lesion to be considered when a patient presents with finger swellings.

The hook plate technique for fixation of phalangeal avulsion fractures.

BACKGROUND: Avulsion fractures of the phalanges involve small osseous fragments that are usually attached to structures that are necessary for stability or movement of the joint. Satisfactory healing of the fracture to preserve joint function may require open reduction and internal fixation, which can be difficult because of the small size of the fragments. METHODS: We used a hook plate fashioned from a 1.3-mm Synthes titanium plate in thirteen patients with a phalangeal avulsion fracture. Four patients had an avulsion fracture of the volar plate with dorsal proximal interphalangeal joint dislocation, four had a dorsal avulsion fracture of the extensor central slip from the middle phalanx, three had a flexor digitorum profundus avulsion fracture from the distal phalanx, and two had an avulsion fracture of the phalangeal insertion of the collateral ligament. RESULTS: Union without complications was achieved in all cases. After an average duration of follow-up of seventeen months, all patients had a good to excellent result and the average total interphalangeal motion was 149°. CONCLUSIONS: This indirect fixation technique produces stable fixation allowing early active finger motion.

Outcome prediction value of nerve conduction studies for endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy. We explore the clinical use of nerve conduction study in the outcome prediction and preoperative selection for endoscopic carpal tunnel syndrome surgery. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were prospectively enrolled. Each patient's clinical symptomatic score at baseline and 3 months postsurgery was compared with nerve conduction study parameters of distal motor latency, motor amplitude, motor conduction velocity, distal sensory latency, sensory amplitude, and sensory conduction velocity. A statistical logistic regression model was used to ascertain outcomes. RESULTS: Endoscopic surgery resulted in significant improvement for all four major symptoms pain, numbness, paresthesia, and weakness. From multivariate logistic regression, a shorter distal sensory latency is associated with a higher likelihood of a good outcome (P = 0.058; odds ratio, 0.912; 95% confidence interval, 0.828-1.0) only for paresthesia. The other factors were not found to be significant (all P > 0.10). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.69 (95% confidence interval for AUC, 0.50-0.88). A cutoff of 6.0 ms or lower for sensory latency predicts for good outcome (in terms of paresthesia score) with the sensitivity/certainty of 84.6% and positive predictive value of 86.8%. A receiver operating characteristic analysis of baseline paresthesia score for good outcome of the paraesthesia domain showed that the AUC was 0.967 (95% confidence interval for AUC, 0-1.0). At a cutoff of baseline paraesthesia score of 4 or above, prediction for good outcome achieved a sensitivity of 87.2% and positive predictive value of 97.1%. CONCLUSIONS: A shorter distal sensory latency is associated with a higher likelihood of a good outcome for paraesthesia. In addition, patients with baseline of 4 or above had correlated with better surgical outcome than those with less severe symptoms. Our data thus suggest that surgical benefit is best seen in patients with moderate symptoms, in combination with electrophysiological evidence of early demyelination, as a possible therapeutic window.

Versatility of the turn-around technique of the lateral arm flap for hand reconstruction.

The lateral arm flap is a popular flap for hand resurfacing. Despite its many advantages, its use is restricted by the available width of the flap. We describe the application of this long and narrow flap in a turn-around manner, greatly increasing its versatility while achieving primary closure of the donor site. The lateral arm flap was designed with extension onto the forearm (extended lateral arm flap) and harvested in the usual manner. During inset, the distal segment of the flap is brought through a 180 degree "U-turn" to lie adjacent to the proximal segment. We analyzed the outcomes of 31 turn-around lateral arm flaps performed between 1988 and 2008. All flaps healed well without any vascular compromise. Reconstruction of defects with a variety of configurations was performed with a maximum flap size of 144 cm. Four patients required split skin grafting to the forearm. Primary closure of the lateral arm donor site was achieved in all patients. In this article, we demonstrate the ease, reliability, and versatility of this simple modification in extending the usefulness of the lateral arm flap in hand reconstruction.

Technique of olecranon bone grafting for surgical fixation of scaphoid fractures.

Currently described sources of bone graft, such as iliac crest and distal radius, for supplemental fixation of scaphoid fractures are suboptimal. In our experience, olecranon bone has the advantage of providing a convenient source of corticocancellous block graft that can be harvested within the same sterile operative field used for fixation of the scaphoid fracture, and it also causes less postoperative pain compared to that obtained from iliac crest. Here, we describe our surgical technique for harvest and use of olecranon bone graft for fixation of scaphoid fractures.

Articularly placed interfragmentary screw fixation of difficult condylar fractures of the hand.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively review the outcomes of intra-articularly placed interfragmentary screws for fixation of difficult condylar fractures of the metacarpal and proximal phalangeal heads. METHODS: We placed interfragmentary screws intra-articularly in 10 patients with 11 fractures to achieve a rigid fixation construct in which the non-articular portion of the bone fragment is too small to allow a stable fixation, or where the bone fragment is entirely osteochondral. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up was 15.9 months (range, 6-45 mo). All fractures united within 16 weeks (average, 8.1 wk). We observed subsidence in 1 case; another patient had screw protrusion that required removal. The range of motion of the involved metacarpophalangeal joints for the metacarpal head fractures was 79° (range, 60° to 90°). The range of motion of the involved proximal interphalangeal joints for the proximal phalangeal head fractures was 86° (range, 80° to 90°). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articularly placed interfragmentary screw fixation is a good technique for treating difficult condylar fractures of the hand.

Rice bodies, millet seeds, and melon seeds in tuberculous tenosynovitis of the hand and wrist.

Tuberculosis (TB) is still endemic in many developed countries. Involvement of the hand and wrist at presentation is extremely rare, and the diagnosis is often missed. Operative findings of "rice bodies, millet seeds, or melon seeds" are highly suggestive of tuberculous tenosynovitis. Six patients with TB of the hand and wrist at various stages of disease with characteristic operative findings are reviewed. Four patients had underlying immunosuppression. One patient had previous pulmonary TB, whereas 3 patients had radiographic evidence of previously undiagnosed pulmonary TB. The interval to presentation ranged from 1 week to 2 years. Two patients had median nerve irritation, 3 patients had osteomyelitis, and 1 patient had flexor tendon rupture. Mycobacterial cultures were positive in 4 patients; acid-fast bacilli stain, and polymerase chain reaction were positive in remaining 1 patient; and both stain and culture were negative in the last patient who had history of pulmonary TB. All 6 patients were managed with combination therapy comprising antituberculous chemotherapy and at least 1 debulking tenosynovectomy. Two patients had 2 debridements. Of these 2 patients, 1 underwent wrist arthrodesis during the second procedure. Mean follow-up was 4 years. There were no recurrences after the most recent debridement. The diagnosis of TB of the hand and wrist is often missed. The surgeon has to be aware of the significance of loose bodies when performing routine excision of innocuous looking wrist ganglia. Combination therapy comprising thorough excisional debridement and antituberculous chemotherapy will minimize recurrence of this difficult-to-treat disease.