The Scratch-Collapse Test: Are Electrodiagnostic Changes Measurable?

INTRODUCTION: Carpal tunnel syndrome is commonly managed by hand and upper extremity surgeons. Though electrodiagnostics are considered the gold standard diagnosis, the scratch collapse test (SCT) was introduced to address uncertainty, despite remains controversial. To address this, we sought to identify if the SCT can correlate with EDS studies if the SCT can identify actual changes in measures of nerves. METHODS: We reviewed patients who underwent electrodiagnostic studies (EDX) and SCT for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Demographic data as well as sensorimotor amplitudes, latencies, and velocities on nerve conduction and electromyography were collected. Analogous values based on SCT findings were analyzed for statistical significance. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty patients with CTS were included. Sensory and motor velocities and amplitudes were significantly lower in patients with a positive SCT. Motor values were independent of age, though younger patients had larger measured changes. Obese patients did not show any motor EDX changes with the scratch collapse test, though thinner patients did. All changes were seen in nerve conduction only. CONCLUSIONS: Carpal tunnel can be a difficult problem to diagnose as one study does not singularly determine the condition. The SCT was introduced to facilitate easier diagnosis. We demonstrate that the SCT correlates with changes on nerve conduction studies, especially in relation to decreased amplitudes and velocities, suggesting that it does identify changes in nerve with compression, specifically axonal, and myelin damage. These findings support the use of the SCT maneuver to evaluate and diagnose in appropriate patients.

Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum for the Treatment of Dupuytren Disease: A Delphi-Based Consensus Study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish the consensus recommendations among hand surgeons who were experts in the use of collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) on the appropriate treatment of Dupuytren disease in well-defined patient populations with varying degrees of disease severity and functional impairment. Methods: A three-round, blinded, modified Delphi process examined panelists' approaches to CCH treatment of metacarpophalangeal (MP) or proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contractures involving one or two fingers with varying degrees of severity. Clinical scenarios related to poor-quality skin, postfasciectomy scarring, boutonnière deformity, closed capsulotomy, and blood thinner use were also presented for panelist consideration. Panelists provided responses to clinical scenarios using a 5-point Likert scale or a yes/no response. Consensus was defined as ≥66.7% panelist agreement or disagreement. Results: Twenty panelists completed round 1; 19 of the 20 panelists completed rounds 2 and 3. Panelists achieved a high level of consensus for using CCH for the treatment of patients with palpable cords and varying severity contractures representing one- or two-finger MP joint contractures, most one- or two-finger PIP joint contractures, and most combined MP and PIP joint contractures. Consensus for the treatment of PIP joint contractures was mostly achieved, but clinical scenarios related to recurrent PIP contracture with poor-quality skin and/or significant postfasciectomy scarring, boutonnière deformity, PIP contractures >70°, closed capsulotomy, and blood thinner use were modified, and then most (95.3%) statements reached consensus for agreement in round 2. In round 3, open-ended responses indicated that panelists considered CCH appropriate for most patients with Dupuytren disease. Conclusions: Consensus-based findings among expert hand surgeons with substantial CCH experience indicated that CCH has a wide-ranging application for the treatment of Dupuytren disease in patients with varying degrees of disease severity and functional impairment. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic V.

Fascial Lengthening at the Time of Surgical Release for de Quervain's Tenosynovitis to Prevent Postsurgical Tendon Subluxation.

BACKGROUND: De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a relatively common, painful condition. Although commonly managed nonoperatively, some patients have recalcitrant disease, necessitating surgical release. Traditional surgical release for de Quervain's tenosynovitis with simple retinacular release can leave patients susceptible to first dorsal extensor compartment tendon subluxation. We present a stair-step flap technique that releases the first dorsal compartment while simultaneously preventing postoperative tendon subluxation via fascial lengthening. METHODS: All patients over the past decade who underwent surgical release with this technique were collected. Preoperative characteristics, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes were reviewed and aggregated as summary statistics. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were found. Of these, 35 patients had isolated first dorsal compartment release. Tourniquet time for the total group was 1 hour and that for the isolated first dorsal compartment release subgroup was 20 minutes. The average follow-up was 590 days for the total group and only 440 days for the isolated first dorsal compartment release subgroup. No patients who underwent our novel technique experienced subluxation of the tendons postoperatively. One patient required oral antibiotics for a superficial cellulitis, and 1 patient had recurrent symptoms due to excessive scarring that resolved with scar massage and steroid injection. No patient required repeat operations. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that first dorsal compartment release with a stair-step incision allows for closure of the compartment with a very loose sheath without subluxation and simultaneously provides satisfactory decompression. This procedure is safe and efficacious and can be considered a useful modification to traditional retinacular release alone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Let's Focus on the Fibrosis in Dupuytren Disease: Cell Communication Network Factor 2 as a Novel Target.

Dupuytren disease is a progressive, benign fibroproliferative disorder of the hands that can lead to debilitating hand contractures. Once symptomatic, treatment involves either surgical intervention, specifically fasciectomy or percutaneous needle aponeurotomy, or enzymatic degradation with clostridial collagenase. Currently, collagenase is the only pharmacotherapy that has been approved for the treatment of Dupuytren contracture. There is a need for a pharmacotherapeutic that can be administered to limit disease progression and prevent recurrence after treatment. Targeting the underlying fibrotic pathophysiology is critical. We propose a novel target to be considered in Dupuytren disease-cell communication network factor 2/connective tissue growth factor-an established mediator of musculoskeletal tissue fibrosis.

Approach to the Treatment of Expansile Metacarpal Aneurysmal Bone Cysts: A Report of Two Cases.

The two cases presented demonstrate the management of aneurysmal bone cysts of the metacarpal, which destroyed the normal bone architecture. Treatment of both cases included wide resection and metacarpal reconstruction with an intercalary fibular allograft. Denosumab use contrasts these two cases and is helpful in reestablishment of a cortical rim for fixation in the absence of a 1-cm margin proximally or distally to preserve the native carpometacarpal and metacarpophalangeal joints. Surgical resection and allograft reconstruction is a viable treatment for expansile metacarpal aneurysmal bone cysts, and neoadjuvant denosumab has utility in creating an ossified margin for fixation.

Can You Go the Distance: Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum Manipulation at 1 Month after Injection.

Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum is a popular treatment in Dupuytren contracture. Current guidelines are for manipulation 24 hours to 7 days after injection. We present a case of successful manipulation 28 days after injection.

Assessing the Effect of Time from Injection of Collagenase to Manipulation on Success Rates in Dupuytren Disease.

PURPOSE: Dupuytren disease can be managed with an injection of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum enzyme followed by manual manipulation. Although the recommended time from injection to manipulation is 24-72 hours, patient and physician schedules may not accommodate this time frame. Therefore, we sought to study the impact of time from injection to manipulation on outcomes and complications of collagenase injection. METHODS: We performed a review of 309 patients who underwent an injection of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum for Dupuytren disease with manipulation at two, five, or seven days after injection. We compared preinjection and postinjection contracture angles as well as frequency of skin tears and tendon ruptures. RESULTS: Of the 309 patients, 207 underwent manipulation at two days, 32 at five days, and 70 at seven days. Patients had similar preinjection contracture angles. All patients demonstrated improvement in contracture after manipulation. Rates of skin tears and tendon ruptures were similar in all three groups. Significant predictors of complications included number of cords injected and history of previous collagenase injection, but not history of previous Dupuytren diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Although collagenase injection for Dupuytren disease is typically performed with plans for manipulation at 24-72 hours, postinjection manipulation could be performed as late as seven days without adversely affecting the frequency of skin and tendon complications. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic IV.

The Scratch-Collapse Test: A Systematic Review and Statistical Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The scratch-collapse test (SCT) is a provocative maneuver used to diagnose compressive neuropathies. Despite multiple studies supporting its use, the SCT remains a controversial point in the literature in regard to its exact clinical application. We performed a systematic review and statistical analysis to provide statistical data on SCT outcomes and elucidate its role in diagnosing compressive conditions. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the literature according to Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We extracted data of patients with outcomes on the SCT (yes/no) and on an accepted gold standard examination (electrodiagnostic studies). These data were analyzed using a statistical software program to generate the sensitivity and specificity values of the pooled data, as well as kappa agreement statistics. RESULTS: For patients with carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, peroneal, and pronator compressive neuropathies, the overall sensitivity of the SCT was 38%, and the specificity was 94%, with the kappa statistic approximately 0.4. Sensitivity and specificity values were higher for cubital tunnel syndrome and peroneal compression syndrome but lower for carpal tunnel syndrome. Pronator syndrome was also examined, but the data were inadequate for analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The SCT is a useful adjunct in the armament of diagnostic tools for the hand surgeon. Given its low sensitivity and high specificity, SCT should be used as a confirmatory test, rather than as a diagnostic screening test. More analyses are needed to identify subtler applications.

Pharmacotherapies in Dupuytren Disease: Current and Novel Strategies.

Dupuytren disease is a benign, progressive fibroproliferative disorder of the hands. To date, only one pharmacotherapy (clostridial collagenase) has been approved for use in Dupuytren disease. There is a great need for additional nonsurgical methods that can be used to either avoid the risks of invasive treatments or help minimize recurrence rates following treatment. A number of nonsurgical modalities have been discussed in the past and continue to appear in discussions among hand surgeons, despite highly variable and often poor or no long-term clinical data. This article reviews many of the pharmacotherapies discussed in the treatment of Dupuytren disease and novel therapies used in inflammation and fibrosis that offer potential treatment options.

Proximal Plate Migration After Internal Fixation of a Pediatric Distal Radius Fracture.

We present a case of a 26-year-old right-hand-dominant male stage manager who underwent open reduction internal fixation of right open both-bone forearm fractures at the age of 13. The patient presented 13 years and 8 months later with proximal hardware migration, soft tissue erosion, and subsequent hardware exposure. The patient underwent hardware removal with resolution of pain and improvement in range of motion. To the best of our knowledge, this complication has not been published before.

The Use of Montage Bone Putty in Assisting in the Maintenance of Reduction in Comminuted Distal Radius Fractures.

Background The distal radius fracture is the most common fracture in the United States. Achieving stable reduction and fixation of complex fracture patterns can be challenging. In order to help maintain reduction of comminuted fracture to simplify plating, the calcium phosphate-based bone putty Montage has been developed. Questions/Purposes Does Montage assist in achieving stable reduction and fixation of complex distal radius fractures with an acceptable complication profile? Patient and Methods We retrospectively analyzed all patients who were treated intraoperatively with Montage bone putty along with volar plate fixation at a large-volume urban county hospital. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative measurements of radiographic features were recorded at 2 and 6 months, as were any complications. Statistical analysis was then performed on these values. Results Preoperative and postoperative radiographs demonstrated significant improvement in standard distal radius fracture measurements, reflecting adequate reduction with the use of Montage intraoperatively. Critically, radiographs demonstrated maintenance of reduction compared to intraoperative fluoroscopy images at 2 months, showing short-term stability of the use of Montage in these fracture patterns as well as long-term stability at 6 months in a subset of patients. There were no major complications in this study. Conclusion In this study, we demonstrate the utility of Montage bone putty for complex distal radius fractures with short-term follow-up and limited long-term follow-up. This initial study underlines its efficacy in maintaining reduction without major complications. Level of Evidence IV, Therapeutic.

Persistent Median Artery Thrombosis Causing a Bifid Median Nerve and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Case Report.

CASE: In this report, we describe a 41-year-old woman with symptoms concerning for acute carpal tunnel syndrome. Operative exploration resulted in resection of an aneurysmal, thrombosed, persistent median artery seen on preoperative imaging and full recovery by the patient. CONCLUSION: A persistent median artery is an uncommon congenital hand condition resulting from the failure of the median artery to regress, which can then travel through the carpal tunnel and be associated with a bifid median nerve, irritation of the nerve, and need for surgical exploration if it thromboses, which is rare. This should be considered in patients with acute median nerve compression, without other etiologies.

Limitations of dual-energy CT in the detection of monosodium urate deposition in dense liquid tophi and calcified tophi.

OBJECTIVE: Dual-energy CT (DECT) detection of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition has demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity in patients with established gout. However, limitations have been reported with early disease and with low urate burden. We aimed to study the performance of DECT in the detection and quantification of MSU deposition in solid and liquid tophi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient-derived solid and liquid tophi, suspensions of commercial synthetic, and in-house synthetic MSU crystals were prepared at varying concentrations. DECT was performed at 80 kVp and 150 kVp, and post-processed using Syngo Via gout software (Siemens) that color-coded urate and cortical bone as green and purple, respectively. DECT findings were correlated with ultrasound and microscopic findings. The protocol was reviewed by IRB and considered a non-human subject research. RESULTS: DECT did not detect urate deposition in either patient-derived liquid tophi or in-house synthetic crystals at any concentration. Lowering the post-processing minimum threshold increased the detection of in-house synthetic crystals but did not change the detection of patient-derived liquid tophi. Areas of calcium-rich purple color-coded regions, masking detection of urate, within the solid tophi and surrounding liquid tophi were noted on DECT. Histology showed co-presence of calcium along with MSU deposition in these. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates important limitations of DECT for liquid tophi due to subthreshold CT attenuation and for calcified tophi due to the obscuration of urate by calcium. Urate may be either undetectable or underestimated by DECT when these conditions are present.

A Clinical Scoring System for Distinguishing Patients With Coincident Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Among Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Background: Coincident carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes present a diagnostic challenge, exacerbated by the limitations of nerve conduction study (NCS) for confirming cubital tunnel syndrome. This study develops a diagnostic scoring system, the Koh-Benhaim (KB) score, to identify patients with coincident compression neuropathies. Methods: A retrospective review of 515 patients was performed from patients surgically treated for carpal and/or cubital tunnel release. These patients were divided as patients with isolated carpal tunnel syndrome (n = 337) or coincident carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes (n = 178), then characterized according to demographics, medical history, physical examination, and NCS results. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of coincident neuropathy. A clinical score was constructed by integerizing regression coefficients of predictive factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for each iteration of the score. Sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated to identify the best cutoff value. Results: Decreased intrinsic muscle strength, decreased ulnar sensation, positive elbow flexion test, positive cubital tunnel Tinel's sign, and abnormal NCS result were selected. The cutoff value for high risk of coincident compression was 3 points: positive predictive value, 82.9% and specificity, 93.4%. Model performance was very good-ROC area under the curve of 0.917. Conclusions: A KB score of 3 or greater represents high risk of coincident cubital tunnel compression. The variables involved are routinely used to assess the cubital tunnel, and all component factors of the KB score were of equivalent clinical weight in assessing patients with potential coincident compression neuropathy.

Treatments for Kienböck disease: what the radiologist needs to know.

The etiology of Kienböck disease, or avascular necrosis of the lunate, is controversial, and there are a myriad of treatments aimed at correcting the various hypothesized pathologies. Interventions to reduce mechanical stress on the lunate have been used for decades, including radial osteotomy with or without radial shortening, ulnar lengthening and metaphyseal core decompression procedures. However, these procedures require preservation of lunate architecture. Newer procedures to revascularize the lunate bone have emerged in the last 10 years, such as pedicled corticoperiosteal vascularized bone grafting. Once there is collapse of the radiocarpal joint or midcarpal arthrosis, the conventional treatments have included proximal row carpectomy and complete or partial wrist joint arthrodesis. Newer salvage procedures such as lunate excision with autologous or synthetic interposition grafts are now being used when possible. As this disease is relatively rare, radiologists may not be familiar with the expected post-operative radiologic findings and complications, especially of the newer treatments. The goals of this paper are to review the available treatment options and their expected appearance on postoperative imaging, with discussion of possible complications when appropriate.

Modified percutaneous needle aponeurotomy for the treatment of dupuytren's contracture: early results and complications.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to identify postoperative results and complications using a percutaneous approach to treat Dupuytren's contracture in a consecutive series of patients. METHODS: A review of all patients with Dupuytren's contracture treated with percutaneous needle aponeurotomy (NA) from 2008 to 2010 was performed. Patient demographics, digits affected, and disease severity was recorded. Pre-operative total passive extension deficit (TPED) was calculated for each affected digit. TPED in the immediate postoperative period and at the time of most recent follow-up was measured. Treatment-related complications and incidence of disease recurrence were identified. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test. (Statistical significance p-value <0.05). RESULTS: 525 digits in 193 hands were treated with NA. 140 patients were male, average age was 65 years. The average preoperative TPED was 41° and the average immediate postoperative TPED was 1° (98% correction) (P=0.0001). The average TPED at 4.5 month follow up was 11 o (73% correction). Complications included infection in 3 patients and one case each of triggering, delayed flexor tendon rupture, complex regional pain syndrome and persistent numbness. Recurrence was observed in 62 digits. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous needle aponeurotomy is an effective technique in the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. Near complete correction of contracture was achieved and few complications were observed. Longer follow-up is needed to determine if these short-term results are maintained.

An Overview of Internal Fixation Implant Metallurgy and Galvanic Corrosion Effects.

Orthopedic and hand surgery implants for internal fixation of fractures have evolved substantially over the past 50 years. Newer metal compositions have been used, and new standards have been applied to older alloys, resulting in modern implants with unique physical properties and better clinical performances. Conventional wisdom has long dictated that implanting different metals should be avoided, but few guidelines exist regarding the safety of using in proximity implant systems of dissimilar metals. To better characterize the landscape of internal fixation implant metallurgy, we have compiled the recommendations and conclusions of the currently available and pertinent literature.

Variation in practice habits in the treatment of pediatric distal radius fractures.

Distal radius fractures are widespread in the pediatric population. Standardized treatment protocols have not been well defined. We sought to examine the diversity of current practice patterns in the treatment of these fractures by surveying hand, pediatric, and general orthopedic surgeons. Hand, pediatric, and general orthopedic surgeons were surveyed using an internet-based questionnaire on the management of pediatric distal radius fractures. Each surgeon was asked to select a criterion from among choices of 'acceptable' alignment criteria at the onset of the survey. Ten cases were then provided to represent a broad spectrum of injuries from minimally angulated torus fractures to complete, displaced fractures. In addition to the variation in injury pattern, the patients in the survey differed in age at the time of injury (3-15 years of age). For each case, surgeons were asked to select a preferred treatment, first on the basis of injury films, and then again after reviewing 1-week follow-up radiographs. A total of 781 surgeons completed the survey. In patients younger than 9 years of age, a residual sagittal angulation of 20° or less, coronal angulation of 10° or less, and 1 cm or less of bayonet apposition was deemed 'acceptable' by 88, 90, and 69% of respondents, respectively. In older patients, these percentages were 58, 64, and 29%, respectively. When specific cases were reviewed, 20.3% of surgeons recommended treatment different from their own theoretical 'acceptable' criteria. When subspecialty training was analyzed, hand surgeons and general orthopedic surgeons were 2.9 and 1.6 times more likely to recommend surgery, respectively, as compared with pediatric surgeons after viewing the initial radiograph. Private practice surgeons were 1.5 times more likely to recommend surgery compared with academic surgeons based on the initial injury radiographs. Our survey highlights the discordance between theoretical acceptable criteria of surgeons and their practice habits, as well as the substantial disparities in treatment recommendations based on subspecialty training. Further study is warranted to determine whether these variations in treatment affect patient outcomes. This survey is a level IV observational study.

Efficacy and safety of collagenase clostridium histolyticum in the treatment of proximal interphalangeal joints in dupuytren contracture: combined analysis of 4 phase 3 clinical trials.

PURPOSE: To examine the results of proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contractures from 4 phase 3 clinical trials of collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) injection for Dupuytren contracture. METHODS: Patients enrolled in Collagenase Option for Reduction of Dupuytren I/II and JOINT I/II with one or more PIP joint contractures (20° to 80°) received CCH 0.58 mg/0.20 mL or placebo (Collagenase Option for Reduction of Dupuytren I/II only) injected directly into a palpable cord. The percentage of PIP joints achieving clinical success (0° to 5° of full extension), clinical improvement (50% or more reduction in baseline contracture), and range of motion improvement at 30 days after the first and last CCH injections was assessed. The PIP joint contractures were classified into low (40° or less) and high (more than 40°) baseline severity. Adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 506 adults (mean age, 63 ± 10 y; 80% male) received 1,165 CCH injections in 644 PIP joint cords (mean, 1.6 injections/cord). Most patients (60%) received 1 injection, with 24%, 16%, and 1% receiving 2, 3, and 4 injections, respectively. Clinical success and clinical improvement occurred in 27% and 49% of PIP joints after one injection and in 34% and 58% after the last injection. Patients with lower baseline severity showed greater improvement and response was comparable between fingers, as were improvements in range of motion. Adverse events occurring in more than 10% of patients were peripheral edema (58%), contusion (38%), injection site hemorrhage (23%), injection site pain (21%), injection site swelling (16%), and tenderness (13%). This incidence was consistent with data reported in phase 3 trials. Two tendon ruptures occurred. No further ruptures occurred after a modified injection technique was adopted. CONCLUSIONS: Collagenase clostridium histolyticum was effective and well tolerated in the short term in patients with Dupuytren PIP joint contractures. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic II.

Contemporary management of dupuytren contracture.

Dupuytren contracture is a condition that affects the palmar fascia. It most commonly affects men of northern European ancestry and initially presents at middle age. The diseased fascia may form cords that extend into the digits, resulting in limited motion and function. Treatment is aimed at either releasing or removing the diseased cord so that the finger can extend fully. Common interventions include surgery, needle aponeurotomy, and collagenase injection. Surgery remains the gold standard in treatment and most commonly includes a limited fasciectomy. Although often successful, surgery carries inherent risks and may involve a lengthy recovery with extensive therapy. Needle aponeurotomy and collagenase injections are office-based alternatives that aim to weaken the cord and release the contracture. Needle aponeurotomy involves repeated needling along the cord in intervals and collagenase injections to dissolve a portion of the cord. Despite being less invasive, problems such as nerve and/or tendon injury, skin tears, and autoimmune reactions have been reported. Regardless of treatment, recurrence remains a concern.