Preventable hand injuries: A national audit.

Little is known of the scale of avoidable injuries presenting to medical services on a national level in the UK. This study aimed to assess the type and incidence of preventable wrist and hand injuries (as defined by the core research team) at a national level in the UK. 28 UK hospitals undertook a service evaluation of all hand trauma cases presenting to their units over a 2 week period in early 2021 identifying demographical and aetiological information about injuries sustained. 1909 patients were included (184 children) with a median age of 40 (IQR 25-59) years. The commonest five types of injury were fractures of the wrist; single phalangeal or metacarpal fractures; fingertip injuries; and infection, with the most common mechanisms being mechanical falls and manual labour. This is the first extensive survey of preventable hand injuries in the UK, identifying a need for further work into prevention to reduce healthcare burden and cost. 50% of injuries presenting to hand surgeons are preventable, with the most common injuries being single fractures of the wrist, phalanx and metacarpal. Few preventable injuries were related to alcohol or narcotic intoxication. Further research is needed to identify how to initiate injury prevention measures for hand injuries, particularly focussed towards hand fracture prevention.

The patient with an acute painful wrist.

Patients with wrist pain commonly present to primary care and emergency departments. A detailed history and examination, alongside relevant imaging, will help find the correct diagnosis and ensure that patients receive the correct treatment in a timely manner. This article summarises the key points in history and examination and the role of imaging, including suggestions of which modality should be requested. Finally, important acute pathologies are highlighted, including fractures, soft tissue injuries and infection, with examples of their relevant imaging.

Dynamic assessment of the upper extremity: a review of available and emerging technologies.

The purpose of this review article is to provide an update on the realm of emerging technology available for the assessment of dynamic functional movement of the hand and upper limb. A critical overview of the literature and a conceptual framework for use of such technologies is proposed. The framework explores three broad purpose categories including customization of care, functional surveillance and interventions through biofeedback strategies. State-of-the-art technologies are described, from basic activity monitors to feedback-enabled robotic gloves, along with exemplar trials and clinical applications. The future of technologies innovation in hand pathology is proposed in the context of the current obstacles and opportunities for hand surgeons and therapists.

A Review of the Use of 3D Printing Technology in Treatment of Scaphoid Fractures.

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is increasingly commercially viable for pre-surgical planning, intraoperative templating, jig creation and customised implant manufacture. The challenging nature of scaphoid fracture and nonunion surgery make it an obvious target. The aim of this review is to determine the use of 3D printed technologies in the treatment of scaphoid fractures. Methods: This is a review of the Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library databases examining studies aimed at therapeutic use of 3D printing, also known as rapid prototyping or additive technology, in the treatment of scaphoid fractures. All studies published up to and including November 2020 were included in the search. Relevant data extracted included modality of use (as template/model/guide/prosthesis), operative time, accuracy of reduction, radiation exposure, follow-up duration, time to union, complications and study quality. Results: A total of 649 articles were identified, of which 12 met the full inclusion criteria. Analysis of the articles showed that 3D printing techniques can be utilised in myriad ways to aid planning and delivery of scaphoid surgery. Percutaneous guides for Kirschner-wire (K-wire) fixation of non-displaced fractures can be created; custom guides can be printed to aid reduction of displaced or non-united fractures; patient-specific total prostheses may recreate near-normal carpal biomechanics and a simple model may help graft harvesting and positioning. Conclusions: This review found that the use of 3D printed patient-specific models and templates in scaphoid surgery can improve accuracy and speed, and reduce radiation exposure. 3D printed prostheses may also restore near-normal carpal biomechanics without burning bridges for potential future procedures. Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic).

Insights and trends review: artificial intelligence in hand surgery.

Artificial intelligence (AI) in hand surgery is an emerging and evolving field that will likely play a large role in the future care of our patients. However, there remain several challenges to makes this technology meaningful, acceptable and usable at scale. In this review article, we discuss basic concepts in AI, including challenges and key considerations, provide an update on how AI is being used in hand and wrist surgery and propose potential future applications. The aims are to equip clinicians and researchers with the basic knowledge needed to understand and explore the incorporation of AI in hand surgery within their own practice and recommends further reading to develop knowledge in this emerging field.

Insights and trends review: the role of three-dimensional technology in upper extremity surgery.

The use of three-dimensional (3-D) technology in upper extremity surgery has the potential to revolutionize the way that hand and upper limb procedures are planned and performed. 3-D technology can assist in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions, allowing virtual preoperative planning and surgical templating. 3-D printing can allow the production of patient-specific jigs, instruments and implants, allowing surgeons to plan and perform complex procedures with greater precision and accuracy. Previously, cost has been a barrier to the use of 3-D technology, which is now falling rapidly. This review article will discuss the current status of 3-D technology and printing, including its applications, ethics and challenges in hand and upper limb surgery. We have provided case examples to outline how clinicians can incorporate 3-D technology in their clinical practice for congenital deformities, management of acute fracture and malunion and arthroplasty.

Adolescent Wrist Pain.

Adolescence is a difficult time, both physically and emotionally. Rapid growth coupled with physical changes in the background of high levels of activity can be overwhelming. Meanwhile, unfamiliar life stressors coupled with undeveloped compensatory mechanisms can lead to overwhelming anxiety and emotional distress. Emotional factors can make injuries and overuse syndromes feel more catastrophic. Occasionally, an adolescent's emotional distress can manifest physically, without antecedent injury or physiologic cause. Understanding the psychological milieu is as important as understanding the disease processes that can affect adolescents if one hopes to manage these patients effectively.

Point-of-care testing for tetanus immunity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The current standard of care for tetanus prophylaxis management in patients with open wounds likely results in overtreatment and unnecessary costs. Point-of-care immunochromatographic tests, known as Tetanus Quick Sticks (TQS), have been developed to qualitatively measure tetanus immunoglobulin levels. Multiple studies advocate their use in EDs. We aim to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and cost-effectiveness of TQS to assess their relevance in frontline emergency care. METHODS: A systematic review was undertaken following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health, The Health Management Information Consortium and The Cochrane Library. Studies were eligible if sensitivity, specificity or cost-efficacy of TQS was reported. At least two authors independently assessed and extracted data from each study. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate summary sensitivity and specificity estimates for TQS. RESULTS: 12 studies were suitable for inclusion (n=1 662 865 participants): 1 modelling and 11 prospective observational cohort studies. Eight studies assessed diagnostic accuracy; the summary estimate for sensitivity was 90% (95% CI, 89% to 90%) with specificity 97% (95% CI, 95% to 100%). Six studies investigated cost-efficacy, reporting lower healthcare costs when using TQS instead of the current method of vaccination history, due to a decrease in unnecessary tetanus vaccine and immunoglobulin administration. Based on the current NHS supply chain data, TQS use could save £173.05 per tetanus-prone patient. CONCLUSION: TQS could confer the greatest cost savings if used in combination with vaccination history in patients with tetanus-prone wounds. A quality assurance process is recommended prior to implementation of TQS in EDs.

Impact of the National Lockdown Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic On Upper Limb Trauma Workload in Central London: A Multi-Centre Longitudinal Observational Study During Implementation and Ease of National Lockdown.

Background: This study assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute upper limb referrals and operative case-mix at the beginning and ease of British lockdown. Methods: A longitudinal multicentre observational cohort study was conducted for both upper limb trauma referrals and operative case-mix over a 12-week period (6 weeks from the beginning and 6 weeks from the ease of the national lockdown). Statistical analysis included median (± median absolute deviation), risk and odds ratios, and Fisher's exact test to calculate the statistical significance, set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: There was a 158% (n = 456 vs. 177) increase in upper limb referrals and 133% (n = 91 vs. 39) increase in the operative trauma caseload at the ease of lockdown compared with its commencement. An increase in sporting injuries was demonstrated (p=0.02), specifically cycling (p=0.004, OR=2.58). A significant increase in COVID-19 testing was demonstrated during the ease of lockdown (p=0.0001) with more patients having their management changed during the beginning of the pandemic (9.6% vs. 0.7%, p=0.0001). Of these patients, 47% went on to have delayed surgery within 6 months. No patients who underwent surgery tested positive for COVID-19 infection within 14 days post-operatively and no mortalities were recorded at 30 days. Conclusion: The ease of lockdown has seen upper limb referrals and operations more than double compared to early lockdown. With no patients testing positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of the procedure, this demonstrates that having upper limb surgery during the current pandemic is safe.

A study to compare strengths of cadaveric tendon repairs with round-bodied and cutting needles.

This human cadaver study investigated whether flexor tendon repairs performed with round-bodied needles had a higher risk of pull-out compared with those performed with cutting needles. Forty human cadaver tendons were repaired (20 with each type of needle), subjected to tensile traction testing and evaluated by failure load and mode of failure. The average failure load was 50 N (SD 13 N) for tendons repaired with round-bodied needles, compared with 49 N (SD 16 N) for tendons repaired with cutting needles. Round-bodied needles resulted in more suture pull-out (18 out of 20 tendons) than cutting needles (6 out of 20 tendons). We found no differences in failure load, but significant differences in the mode of failure between round-bodied and cutting needles when used for cadaveric flexor tendon repair.

An In Vitro Hand Simulator for Simultaneous Control of Hand and Wrist Movements.

A human hand is a complex biomechanical system, in which bones, ligaments, and musculotendon units dynamically interact to produce seemingly simple motions. A new physiological hand simulator has been developed, in which electromechanical actuators apply load to the tendons of extrinsic hand and wrist muscles to recreate movements in cadaveric specimens in a biofidelic way. This novel simulator simultaneously and independently controls the movements of the wrist (flexion/extension and radio-ulnar deviation) and flexion/extension of the fingers and thumb. Control of these four degrees of freedom (DOF) is made possible by actuating eleven extrinsic muscles of the hand. The coupled dynamics of the wrist, fingers, and thumb, and the over-actuated nature of the human musculoskeletal system make feedback control of hand movements challenging. Two control algorithms were developed and tested. The optimal controller relies on an optimization algorithm to calculate the required tendon tensions using the collective error in all DOFs, and the action-based controller loads the tendons solely based on their actions on the controlled DOFs (e.g., activating all flexors if a flexing moment is required). Both controllers resulted in hand movements with small errors from the reference trajectories ( ); however, the optimal controller achieved this with 16% lower total force. Owing to its simpler structure, the action-based controller was extended to enable feedback control of grip force. This simulator has been shown to be a highly repeatable tool (  N and variations in force and kinematics, respectively) for in vitro analyses of human hand biomechanics.

Do "Anatomic" Distal Ulna Plating Systems Fit the Distal Ulna Without Causing Soft Tissue Impingement?

Background: Distal ulna fracture fixation plates commonly cause irritation, necessitating removal, due to the narrow area between the ulna articular cartilage and the extensor carpi ulnaris. This study defines the safe zone for plate application and determines whether wrist position affects risk of impingement. Methods: Four different distal ulna anatomic plates (Acumed, Medartis, Skeletal Dynamics, and Synthes) were applied to 12 cadaveric specimens. Safe zone size was measured in circumferential distance and angular arc. Impingement was examined in flexion and extension in neutral, pronation, and supination. Results: The distal ulna safe zone has dimensions of a 92° arc and perimeter circumference of 15 mm. Cumulative extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) impingement occurred in 0% of the 6 simulated wrist/forearm positions for the Acumed plate, 22% for the Synthes plate, 31% for the Skeletal Dynamics plate, and 68% for the Medartis plate. Impingement was most common in supination. Likelihood of ECU impingement significantly decreased in the following order; Medartis > Skeletal Dynamics > Synthes > Acumed. Conclusion: The ECU tendon's mobility can cause impingement on ulnarly placed distal ulna plates. Intra-operative testing should be performed in supination. Take home points regarding each plate from the 4 different manufacturers: contouring of Medartis plates, when placed ulnarly, is mandatory. The Acumed plate impinged the least but is not designed for far-distal fractures. The Synthes plate is least bulky but not suitable for proximal fractures. The Skeletal Dynamics plate appeared the most versatile with a reduced incidence of impingement compared to other ulnarly based plates.

Trigger Finger From Ocean Rowing: An Observational Study.

Background: Trigger finger has a prevalence of 2% to 3% in the general population. Although anecdotal evidence exists, there is a lack of conclusive data that prove a relationship between repetitive power grip and flexion with triggering. Ocean rowing is becoming a popular sport, with the race across the Atlantic alone attracting more than 100 participants annually. Anecdotal reports suggest ocean rowing may be a significant cause of trigger finger. We aimed to identify whether the sport causes an increased prevalence of triggering, whether there were any alleviating or compounding factors, and, finally, whether there was any effect on performance. Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out. A questionnaire was sent to all participants of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2018, which included a trigger finger self-scoring system and the Oslo Sports Trauma Center Overuse Injury Questionnaire. Results: Responses were received from 67 rowers (83% response rate). Age ranged from 21 to 62 years, with a mean of 40 years. In all, 49.3% had clinical triggering, with 79.3% reporting bilateral symptoms. The length of continuous rest time had a significant impact on the incidence of finger triggering and disease stage (P = .0275 and .0353, respectively; multivariate logistic regression). High-grade triggering had a more negative effect on rowing performance than low grade or no triggering (not significant). Conclusion: Ocean rowers suffered a 15-fold increase in trigger finger prevalence compared with the general population. This was increased in those who took shorter, more frequent rest periods. This study provides new conclusive evidence that the repetitive power grip and flexion involved in rowing increase the prevalence of trigger finger.

Ligamentous constraint of the first carpometacarpal joint.

To examine the role of the ligaments in maintaining stability of the first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, a sequential ligament sectioning study of sixteen specimens was performed. While a small compressive force was maintained, loads were applied to displace each specimen in four directions - volar, dorsal, radial, and ulnar. Translations of the specimen in both dorsal-volar and radial-ulnar axes were measured. Initially, the tests were conducted with the specimen intact. These tests were then repeated following sectioning of the CMC anterior oblique ligament (AOL), ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), intermetacarpal ligament (IML) and dorsal radial ligament (DRL). The first CMC joint translation was increased in the absence of IML and DRL (p < 0.05). Both IML and DRL were important in constraining the first CMC joint translation against external applied loads. Potential applications of these findings include the treatment of joint hypermobility and the reduction or delay of onset or progression of first CMC joint osteoarthritis.

Return to Sport After Metacarpal and Phalangeal Fractures: A Systematic Review and Evidence Appraisal.

BACKGROUND: Fractures of the metacarpals and phalanges account for more than half of all upper extremity fractures sustained by competitive athletes. PURPOSE: To determine which management strategy is best for expediting return to preinjury levels of competition in adult athletes with metacarpal and/or phalangeal fractures. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A methodology compliant with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) was used. A custom search strategy was designed and applied to MEDLINE and In-Process, Embase, EMCARE, and CINAHL. RESULTS: Overall, 3135 records were identified, of which 8 met full inclusion criteria. All patients returned to preinjury levels of competition, at a mean of 30.6 days for phalangeal fractures and 21.9 days for metacarpal fractures. Meta-analysis demonstrated delayed return-to-sport time for operatively managed metacarpal fractures as compared with nonoperatively managed ones (28.5 vs 22.0 days). All studies were of fair or poor quality, and none were randomized. CONCLUSION: Optimal management strategies for athletes with metacarpal and phalangeal fractures remain equivocal. Injury, treatment, and sport-specific factors may confound results and preclude accurate estimation of optimal treatment strategies at present.

Carpal tunnel syndrome in patients with arteriovenous fistula for haemodialysis: A narrative review of the current literature.

The ideal choice of vascular access in patients requiring haemodialysis is an arteriovenous fistula. However, an important often under-reported complication encountered at follow-up is symptoms of tingling or numbness in the hand. This may represent carpal tunnel syndrome, impairment of the median nerve as it traverses through the carpal tunnel at the wrist by focal compression of this nerve. Contributory factors in the presence of an arteriovenous fistula may include venous hypertension and varying steal syndrome phenomena provoking micro-ischaemia. Studies that investigated the evolution of carpal tunnel syndrome in haemodialysis patients with an arteriovenous fistula revealed that the frequency of carpal tunnel syndrome associated with an arteriovenous fistula on haemodialysis ranged from 10.4% to 42.6%. An association between duration of haemodialysis with arteriovenous fistula and carpal tunnel syndrome development was also observed. Surgical release of carpal tunnel provided complete relief of paraesthesia in all treated patients in the examined, demonstrating an alleviation of symptoms and improved function of hand and quality of life in patients with an arteriovenous fistula. However, the aetiology and risk factors for development of carpal tunnel syndrome remain unclear and further studies should attempt to elucidate the pathophysiology of this occurrence in the presence of arteriovenous fistulas.