Dynamic stabilization home exercise program for treatment of thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis: A prospective randomized control trial.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized control trial. INTRODUCTION: Thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of hand pain and disability. Standard conservative therapy (SCT) for thumb CMC OA includes an orthosis and instruction in joint protection, adaptive equipment, and pain relieving modalities. The dynamic stability home exercise (HE) program is complementary conservative therapy designed to strengthen the stabilizing muscles of the thumb CMC. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To investigate whether the addition of HE to SCT (SCT+HE) was more effective at reducing pain and disability in thumb CMC OA compared to SCT alone. METHODS: The study compared 2 groups: SCT and SCT+HE. The SCT group received SCT with in-home pain management instructions, joint protection strategies with adaptive equipment, and a hand-based thumb-spica orthosis. The SCT+HE group received HE program instructions for adductor stretching and opponens and first dorsal interosseous strengthening in addition to SCT. Our primary outcome measure was the numerical rating scale (NRS) with secondary outcome measures of QuickDASH (shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire), range of motion, grip strength, and pinch strength. Outcome measurements were assessed at first visit, 6 weeks, and 6 months. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups for NRS and QuickDASH at 6 weeks (P = .28 and P = .36, respectively) or 6 months (P = .52 and P = .97, respectively). However, there was a statistically significant decrease in NRS and QuickDASH scores at 6 weeks and 6 months within both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both SCT and SCT+HE are effective at reducing pain and disability in OA of the thumb CMC joint. Neither therapy program was superior to the other at improving NRS or QuickDASH scores at 6-week or 6-month follow-up.

Infantile Flexor Tendon Lacerations: Surgical Technique and Illustrative Case.

Infantile flexor tendon lacerations are rare, with few cases reported. Surgical intervention in this age group is favorable, but there are several factors that add to the complexity of these injuries, such as small hand anatomy, frequent delays in diagnosis, and difficulties with postoperative rehabilitation. This article describes a 2-strand flexor tendon repair technique in a 10-month-old female infant.

Glomangiomatosis of the Upper Extremity.

We describe a 43-year-old woman with a 23-year history of recurrent extradigital glomus tumors (glomangiomatosis) of the hand and forearm. She presented with a typical presentation of pain, tenderness to palpation, and hypersensitivity of the affected regions. After surgical resection, she continued to present with new locations of tumor burden and progressively malignant features of the tumors. This exceedingly rare presentation highlights the importance of vigilantly monitoring patients for recurrence with glomangiomatosis.

A Case of Short Radiolunate Avulsion Injury: Magnetic Resonance Diagnosis and Surgical Reconstruction.

Injury to the volar wrist capsule with short radiolunate ligament avulsion is uncommon and is often difficult to discern on advanced imaging, which can lead to a delay in diagnosis and the development of chronic wrist instability. We report a case of a short radiolunate ligament avulsion injury and a volar wrist capsular injury that went unrecognized for an extended period and led to chronic wrist pain and instability. We describe the magnetic resonance imaging findings of the injury and detail a successful surgical reconstruction technique.

Mycotic Aneurysm of the Ulnar Artery Secondary to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Therapy for Bladder Cancer: A Rare Presentation of Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome.

Mycotic aneurysms, especially those of the upper extremity, are rarely reported in literature. These aneurysms are caused by bacterial endocarditis and, therefore, are more commonly seen in patients who are in an immunocompromised state, including those requiring bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy for bladder cancer. Owing to the inevitable rupture of mycotic aneurysms, the standard treatment is surgical repair with appropriate secondary antibiotics. We present a unique case of a mycotic ulnar artery aneurysm following BCG therapy and repetitive hand trauma in a patient with bladder cancer that was successfully repaired with microsurgical techniques and secondary antibiotics.

Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections of the Upper Extremity: 15-Year Experience at a Tertiary Care Medical Center.

PURPOSE: To present our experience with culture-positive, nontuberculous mycobacterial infections (NTMI) of the upper extremity and to compare the clinical features and outcomes of treatment among immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. METHODS: All patients at our medical center diagnosed with NTMI of the upper extremity from December 1, 2000, through December 31, 2015, were included. We performed a retrospective analysis of patient demographic characteristics, delay to diagnosis, risk factors, clinical presentation, specific location, diagnostic testing, treatment regimens, and outcomes. These variables were compared between immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were identified with culture-positive NTMI of the upper extremity. Of the patients, 27 (61%) were men (median age, 59 years [range, 23-83 years]). Twenty (45%) patients were immunocompromised. Immunocompromised patients had fewer known inoculation injuries compared with immunocompetent patients (45% vs 92%). A significant difference existed in the treatment regimens selected for immunocompetent versus immunocompromised patients: immunocompetent patients were more often treated with both antibiotics and surgery (88% vs 50%), whereas immunocompromised patients were more often treated with antibiotics alone (45% vs 4%). Overall, 24% experienced treatment failure and 9% died. Outcomes were relatively similar between immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. A shorter delay to diagnosis was associated with a lower failure rate. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of upper-extremity NTMI is often delayed because of indolent presentation and lack of clinical suspicion. The clinical presentation, diagnostic delay, and diagnostic testing results are similar between immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Although treatment varied significantly between patient groups, outcomes were similar. Timely diagnosis has the greatest impact on patient outcome. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Tumor-Like Conditions of the Hand and Upper Extremity.

Tumor-like conditions of the hand and upper extremity typically present as masses and can be confused as more serious conditions. The differential diagnosis of these lesions can cross over with many more commonly recognized benign and malignant upper limb tumors, and it is, therefore, important for the hand surgeon to be familiar with tumor-like conditions. The diagnosis of these lesions often can be made on clinical grounds supported by a careful physical examination and plain film radiography. Advanced imaging and excisional biopsy may be needed in many circumstances to secure the diagnosis given their similarity with bone and soft tissue sarcomas.

Differences in the Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures by Hand Fellowship Trained Surgeons: A Study of ABOS Candidate Data.

PURPOSE: The management of distal radius fractures differs based on the nature of the fracture and the experience of the surgeon. We hypothesized that patients requiring surgical intervention would undergo different procedures when in the care of a surgeon with subspecialty training in hand surgery as compared with surgeons with no subspecialty training in hand surgery. METHODS: We queried the ABOS database for case log information submitted for part II of the ABOS examination. Queries for all codes involved with distal radius fracture management were combined with associated codes for the management of median nerve neuropathy, triangular fibrocartilage complex tears, ulnar shaft, and styloid fractures. Hand fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons were compared with those completing other fellowships and non-fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons during their board collection period. RESULTS: During the study period, 2,317 orthopedic surgeons reported treatment of 15,433 distal radius fractures. Of these surgeons, 411 had hand fellowship training. On a per surgeon basis, fellowship trained hand surgeons operatively treated more multifragment intra-articular distal radius fractures than their non-hand fellowship trained counterparts (5.3 vs 1.2). Additional procedures associated with the management of distal radius fractures were also associated with the fellowship training of the treating surgeon. CONCLUSIONS: Among orthopedic surgeons taking part II of the ABOS certifying examination, differences exist in the type, management, and reporting of distal radius fractures among surgeons with different areas of fellowship training. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study describes the association of hand surgery fellowship training on the choice of intervention for distal radius fractures and associated conditions.

Intermediate-term follow-up of chronically ill patients with digital ischemia treated with peripheral digital sympathectomy.

Digital ischemia is commonly found in patients with scleroderma and has been shown to respond to peripheral digital sympathectomy. While favorable long- and intermediate-term results have been documented in the literature, minimal objective data are available and the mechanism of surgical sympathectomy has not been entirely elucidated. Patients with digital ischemia secondary to Raynaud's phenomenon that had undergone peripheral sympathectomy surgery between 2001 and 2009 were identified and contacted for participation. Radial artery Doppler ultrasound studies were performed and compared to those done at the time of their sympathectomy. Of 11 patients treated over a 9-year period, only two patients were available for detailed follow-up analysis. Four patients were deceased, and two were lost to follow-up. Four of the five remaining patients reported excellent use of the hand and no significant episodes of digital ischemia. Of the two patients studied, functional results were favorable and pain was markedly improved despite worsening of the digital flow resistance over time. We conclude that peripheral digital sympathectomy may provide favorable long-term results in patients with digital ischemia from autoimmune causes, although this intervention should be considered in the early stages once ischemic symptoms manifest. Interestingly, Doppler data did not appear to correlate with functional status and symptom severity in these two patients. Further research, particularly prospective studies, is warranted to guide clinical decisions in this patient population.

Accuracy and Validity of Goniometer and Visual Assessments of Angular Joint Positions of the Hand and Wrist.

PURPOSE: To compare goniometric and visual assessments of angular hand joint and wrist joint positions measured by board-certified hand surgeons and certified hand therapists. We hypothesized that visual estimation would be similar to the goniometric measurement accuracy of digital and wrist joint positions. METHODS: The wrist, index finger metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint, and index finger proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint were evaluated in different positions by 40 observers: 20 board-certified hand surgeons and 20 certified hand therapists. Each observer estimated the position of the wrist, index MCP joint, and index PIP joint of the same volunteer, who was positioned in low-profile orthoses to reproduce predetermined positions. Following visual estimation, the participants measured the same joint positions using a goniometer. The control measurement was digitally determined by a radiologist who obtained radiographs of the hand and wrist positions in each orthosis. Observers were blinded to the results of control measurements. RESULTS: When considering all joints at all positions, neither visual assessments nor goniometer assessments were consistently within ± 5° of the measurements obtained on control radiographs. When considering individual joints, goniometer measurements were significantly closer to control radiograph measurements than the visual assessments for all 3 PIP joint positions. There was no difference for the measurements at the wrist or for 2 of the 3 MCP joint positions. Significant differences between surgeon and therapist joint angle measurements were not observed when comparing visual and goniometer assessments to radiograph controls. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with radiograph measurements, neither visual nor goniometer assessment displayed high levels of accuracy. On average, visual assessment of the angular positions of the index MCP and wrist joint were as accurate as the goniometer assessment, whereas goniometer assessment of the angular position of the PIP joint was more accurate than visual assessment. There was a relatively high degree of between-observer variability in measurements, and therefore, no one person's measurements could be consistently relied upon to be accurate. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic II.

The impact of site of graduate medical education training and other factors on physician employee retention.

This study sought to determine if the site of graduate medical training or other factors impact the length of institutional employment. Physician hires for the home institution were catalogued from January 1, 1996, through December 31, 2006. In analyzing the 253 physician hires, we found no statistically significant advantage in employee retention associated with hiring "one's own" or with U.S. medical school graduates.

Proximal interphalangeal joint arthroplasty: current trends and evidence-based practice.

Arthroplasty of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) has evolved since its inception over 60 years ago. This review examines the indications for surgery, highlights the differences in current arthroplasty designs, variances in surgical techniques, clinical controversies, current implant outcomes data and salvage options for the failed implant. Overall, PIPJ implant arthroplasty is a good and reliable option for symptomatic PIPJ degenerative, post-traumatic or inflammatory arthritis given the proper clinical setting. If current techniques for implantation and rehabilitation are followed, predictable pain relief and satisfactory function can be anticipated. The purpose of this review article is to examine the current evidence-based indications for PIPJ arthroplasty and examine the reported, implant-specific outcomes of this procedure. Various techniques and rehabilitation strategies will also be outlined.

Upper Extremity Neuropathies Following Severe COVID-19 Infection: A Multicenter Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to examine presentation, injury patterns, and clinical course, for COVID-19-related peripheral nerve injury following mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study of patients with COVID-19 complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) that required mechanical ventilation was undertaken. Patient records were reviewed for intensive care unit and intubation characteristics, prone or lateral decubitus positioning, and the onset of neuropathy diagnosis. RESULTS: Between September 2020 and January 2022, 11 patients were diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, including 9 with brachial plexopathy following COVID-19 infection. Each patient developed ARDS requiring mechanical ventilation for a median of 39 days. Six patients (54.5%) underwent prone positioning and 1 lateral decubitus. Neuropathies involved 5 brachial pan-plexopathies, 2 incomplete brachial plexopathies, 2 lower trunk plexopathies, 1 radial neuropathy, and 1 bilateral ulnar neuropathy. At a mean follow-up of 10.2 months, patients with brachial pan-plexopathies demonstrated signs of reinnervation proximally, and 1 resolved to a radial mononeuropathy; however, the majority have demonstrated minimal clinical improvements. CONCLUSIONS: Our series demonstrates that peripheral neuropathies and especially brachial plexopathies have occurred following mechanical ventilation for ARDS-related COVID-19 infections. Contrary to prior COVID-19 studies, only 54.5% of these patients underwent prone positioning. Aside from a traumatic disturbance of prone positioning, the increased incidence of neuropathy may involve an atraumatic effect of COVID-19 via direct invasion of nerves, autoantibody targeting of nervous tissue, or hypercoagulation-induced microthrombotic angiopathy.

The mechanism of ulnar-sided perilunate instability of the wrist: a cadaveric study and 6 clinical cases.

PURPOSE: To define the mechanism of ulnar-sided perilunate instability using a cadaveric model and correlate these biomechanical findings with 6 clinical cases. METHODS: We mounted 16 fresh-frozen human cadaver arms and loaded them to failure in extension and radial deviation, recreating our understanding of the injury mechanism leading to ulnar-sided perilunate instability of the wrist. After testing, we examined the wrists clinically and radiographically. We identified, examined, and treated 6 patients with ulnar-sided perilunate instability over a period of 5 years. Based on these data, we propose a 3-stage mechanism for ulnar-sided perilunate instability of the wrist. RESULTS: In 13 of 16 specimens, we observed failure of ulnotriquetral, ulnolunate, and ulnocapitate ligaments as well as the dorsal scaphotriquetral and dorsal radiotriquetral ligaments. In 11 of these 13, the lunotriquetral interosseous ligament was disrupted, and in 2 of the 11, a dorsal perilunate dislocation occurred. After comparing these laboratory findings with clinical findings in 6 patients with ulnar-sided perilunate instability, we propose the following 3-stage mechanism for ulnar-sided perilunate instability: stage 1, disruption of the lunotriquetral interosseous ligament; stage 2, stage 1 plus disruption of the ulnolunate, ulnotriquetral, and ulnocapitate ligaments as well as the dorsal scaphotriquetral and radiotriquetral ligaments; and stage 3, stage 2 with progression of the injury through the midcarpal joint plus disruption of the scapholunate and radioscapholunate ligaments, potentially resulting in a dorsal perilunate dislocation. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a 3-stage mechanism of ulnar-sided perilunate ligamentous wrist injury that can lead to dorsal perilunate dislocation. We recommend considering ulnar-sided perilunate instability of the wrist in patients with ulnar wrist pain after a fall on the outstretched wrist. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ulnar-sided wrist injury can lead to subtle forms of perilunate instability.

Anomalous Course of the Brachial Plexus Identified During Ultrasound-Guided Brachial Plexus Nerve Block.

Knowledge of brachial plexus anatomy is essential when performing upper-extremity regional anaesthesia. Anomalous brachial plexus anatomy has been reported in up to 35% of patients. Variants include anomalous course of the roots anterior to, or within, the scalene musculature and abnormal separation of the cords around the subclavian artery. These anomalies have been detected with ultrasound, a valuable tool for delineating anatomy and providing imaging guidance during regional anaesthesia. We report a previously undescribed course of the brachial plexus relative to the subclavian artery within the supraclavicular fossa identified by ultrasound prior to peripheral nerve blockade.

Ultrasound-guided diagnostic IPACK as a valuable tool in the management of a patient with soleal sling syndrome: a doubly rare case report.

This article describes the use of an infiltration between the popliteal artery and capsule of the knee joint (IPACK) to diagnose an entrapment neuropathy of the tibial nerve (TN) in a patient presenting with chronic neuropathic pain in the medial posterior compartment of the left knee, with a previous electromyography showing no evidence of tibial or common peroneal nerve neuropathy. After a positive sciatic nerve block, the patient was evaluated for a TN block, cancelled due to the presence of an abnormal leash of vessels wrapping around the nerve. For this reason, the patient was submitted to a diagnostic IPACK. A negative IPACK suggested that a compression of the TN at the popliteal fossa was the most likely source of the symptoms. After surgical decompression of the TN nerve at the popliteal fossa, the patient's symptoms decreased substantially.

Lay abstract This case report describes the use of an infiltration between the popliteal artery and capsule of the knee joint (IPACK), a technique in which local anesthetic is injected between the popliteal artery and the back side of the knee joint, to diagnose a compression of the tibial nerve (TN) in a patient with chronic knee pain. A female adult patient presented for further evaluation of chronic pain in the inner side of the back of her left knee. A previous electromyography showed no evidence of tibial or common peroneal nerve disease. After a positive diagnostic block of the left sciatic nerve, the patient was evaluated for a left TN block, so as to ascertain whether a compression of this nerve at the back side of the knee could be the origin of the patient's symptoms. During the ultrasound scanning of the TN, a group of abnormal vessels was found wrapping around the nerve, which made it impossible to inject the TN in a safe manner, even with the guidance of ultrasound. For this reason, the patient was instead submitted to a diagnostic left IPACK. A negative IPACK suggested that a compression of the TN at the popliteal fossa, the region behind the knee joint, was the most likely source of the patient's symptoms. After surgical decompression of the TN at the popliteal fossa, the patient's symptoms decreased substantially.

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery's Initiatives Toward Competency-Based Education.

The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) is the national organization charged with defining education standards for graduate medical education in orthopaedic surgery. The purpose of this article is to describe initiatives taken by the ABOS to develop assessments of competency of residents to document their progress toward the independent practice of orthopaedic surgery and provide feedback for improved performance during training. These initiatives are called the ABOS Knowledge, Skills, and Behavior Program. Web-based assessment tools have been developed and validated to measure competence. These assessments guide resident progress through residency education and better define the competency level by the end of training. The background and rationale for these initiatives and how they serve as steps toward competency-based education in orthopaedic residency education in the United States will be reviewed with a vision of a hybrid of time and competency-based orthopaedic residency education that will remain 5 years in length, with residents assessed using standardized tools.

COVID-19: Impact on Orthopaedic Graduate Medical Education in the U.S.: AOA Critical Issues Symposium.

ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 crisis has challenged the U.S. health-care system in a variety of ways, including how we teach and train orthopaedic surgery residents and fellows. During the spring of 2020, the cessation of all elective surgical procedures and the diminished number of outpatient visits challenged graduate medical education. While residency programs in less affected areas may not have had to make many dramatic adjustments, some of those located in pandemic hotspots had to redirect trainees from orthopaedic rotations to COVID-19 units. No matter the region, the time that trainees have spent in rotations has been altered, and absences have occurred due to quarantines. This symposium summarizes the impact of restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic on residency and fellowship programs from the perspectives of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), a program director, and a graduating resident. Although new opportunities for virtual curricula, virtual surgical simulation, and virtual interviews have been innovated, residency programs and residents report primarily a negative effect from the pandemic due to decreased surgical volumes and the limitation of patient-care experiences. Ultimately, program directors have an obligation to the program, the trainee, and the general public to graduate only those residents and fellows who are truly prepared to practice independently; they have the responsibility of making the final decision regarding graduation. The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to underscore the need for competency-based medical education. Assessing competency includes evaluation of the knowledge, the operative skills, the nonoperative patient-care skills, and the professional behavior of each and every individual graduating from orthopaedic residency and fellowship training programs. A hybrid model for time and competency-based training, with established national standards not only for accreditation for our training programs but also for board certification of our graduating residents, was enhanced by the COVID-19 pandemic and is highlighted in this symposium.

Cost Variance in Patients With Soft Tissue Sarcoma Who Develop Postoperative Wound Complications.

BACKGROUND: Wound complications after a soft-tissue sarcoma surgery are common, occurring in up to 30% to 40% of patients who undergo preoperative radiation therapy. Although risk factors for developing complications are well-known, there is a paucity of literature on the increased healthcare costs after a wound complication. The purpose of this study was to detail these additional costs after a soft-tissue sarcoma surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review of 99 patients from January 2013 to October 2019 was performed. Hospital and professional charges for the primary surgical procedure and any subsequent hospitalization or procedure related to a wound complication were compiled. Costs were inflated to 2019 dollars. RESULTS: Total costs were 21.3% higher for patients who developed a wound complication (P = 0.006). Most patients (32 of 42; 76.2%) who developed a complication required a return trip to the operating room. The average number of return trips was 1.2 (range 0 to 5). For each return trip to the operating room because of a wound complication, an associated increased overall cost of 13.2% was noted (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Wound complications after a soft-tissue sarcoma resection are common and add considerable expense to the episode of care. A reduction in wound complications may markedly decrease the cost of treating soft-tissue sarcomas and continues to be an opportunity for improvement.

Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Angiography Is Sensitive for Predicting Postoperative Wound Complications in Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography is a novel technology that has been predictive of postoperative wound complications. It is unknown whether this technology can successfully predict complications after sarcoma resection. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of ICG angiography in predicting postoperative wound complications after soft-tissue sarcoma resection. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 23 patients was performed beginning October 2017 at our institution. Patients who underwent soft-tissue sarcoma resection were included. After tumor resection and wound closure, evaluation of tissue perfusion in skin edges was performed with ICG angiography. Wound complications were recorded in the postoperative follow-up. RESULTS: Eight patients developed postoperative wound complications. Six patients were predicted to have wound complications on the final ICG scans. The accuracy of ICG angiography was dependent on the anatomic location, with improved accuracy in the lower extremity. ICG angiography had a sensitivity of 50%, a specificity and a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 70% for wound complications after soft-tissue sarcoma resections located in the lower extremity. CONCLUSION: ICG angiography has a high predictive value in the lower extremity for postoperative wound complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Diagnostic.