Sensitivity and Specificity of Radiographs in the Diagnosis of Little and/or Ring Carpometacarpal Joint Injuries.

Introduction Little and ring finger carpometacarpal joints (CMCJs) injuries are commonly missed due to misinterpretation of radiographs. We aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of four different radiographic views. Materials and Methods Radiographs (posteroanterior [PA], lateral [LAT], pronated oblique [POL], and supinated oblique [SOL] views) showing normal findings or little/ring finger CMCJ injuries were shown to two cohorts of orthopaedic trainees and a cohort of emergency nurse practitioners. Results The POL view performed best in all three testing scenarios. The SOL view performed least well. The combination of a PA, true LAT, and POL identified 78% of injuries correctly. In no cases did the SOL view correctly identify an injury when the other three views had been interpreted as normal. Conclusion We recommend a combination of the PA, POL, and LAT views in diagnosing these injuries. Where doubt remains, cross-sectional imaging is essential.

Surgical treatment of distal radial fractures with a volar locking plate versus conventional percutaneous methods: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of displaced distal radial fractures treated with a volar locking plate with the results of such fractures treated with a conventional method of closed reduction and percutaneous wire fixation with supplemental bridging external fixation when required. Our aim was to ascertain whether the use of a volar locking plate improves functional outcomes. METHODS: A single-center, pragmatic, randomized controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary care institution. One hundred and thirty patients (eighteen to seventy-three years of age) who had a displaced distal radial fracture were randomized to treatment with either a volar locking plate (n = 66) or a conventional percutaneous fixation method (n = 64). Outcome assessments were conducted at six weeks, twelve weeks, and one year. Outcomes were measured on the basis of scores on the Patient Evaluation Measure (PEM) and QuickDASH questionnaire (a shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, or DASH, Outcome Measure), EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) scores, wrist range of motion, grip strength, and radiographic parameters. RESULTS: The rate of follow-up at one year was 95%. Patients in the volar locking-plate group had significantly better PEM and QuickDASH scores and range of motion at six weeks compared with patients in the conventional-treatment group, but there were no significant differences between the two groups at twelve weeks or one year. Grip strength was better in the plate group at all time points. The volar locking plate was better at restoring palmar tilt and radial height. Significantly more patients in the plate group were driving at the end of six weeks, but this did not translate to a significant difference between groups in terms of those returning to work by that time. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a volar locking plate resulted in a faster early recovery of function compared with use of conventional methods. However, no functional advantage was demonstrated at or beyond twelve weeks. Use of the volar locking plate resulted in better anatomical reduction and grip strength, but there was no significant difference in function between the groups at twelve weeks or one year. The earlier recovery of function may be of advantage to some patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Hip extension strength following hamstring tendon harvest for ACL reconstruction.

Hamstring autograft harvest for ACL reconstruction may have an effect on hip extension strength and this may be important especially in sports that involve high speed running such as soccer, rugby, American football and the sprint disciplines of track and field. This aspect of hamstring tendon harvesting has not been looked at before. We have performed a non-randomised prospective case control study comparing isokinetic hip extension strength following four strand semitendinosus and gracilis tendons (4SHS) and bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autografts in ACL reconstruction. Isokinetic hip extension was assessed at 3 and 12 months post-operatively using a Kin-Com machine at a speed of 30 degrees per second. Three months post-operatively there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the peak force of concentric hip extension in the 4SHS group. There was no evidence that hip extension is weaker following ACL reconstruction with 4SHS tendon autograft than ACL reconstruction with BPTB autograft at 12 months post-operatively. We find no contra-indication to the use of 4SHS tendon autografts in ACL reconstruction in patients who wish to preserve hip extension strength for their sporting activities.

The relationship between proximal pole blood flow and the subjective assessment of increased density of the proximal pole in acute scaphoid fractures.

The cause and importance of increased density of the proximal pole of the scaphoid seen in radiographs after an acute fracture were investigated. Blood flow to the proximal poles of 32 nonsurgically treated scaphoid fractures were assessed 1 to 2 weeks after injury by measuring their uptake of gadopentetate dimeglumine with dynamic magnetic resonance imaging and calculating its steepest slope and percentage of enhancement values. Initial (week 0) and week 8 scaphoid series radiographs were independently assessed by 2 observers for increased proximal pole density; both agreed that the density had increased during treatment in 9 fractures. All 9 fractures united, suggesting that increased proximal pole density is not a major determinant of fracture outcome. Increased density of the proximal pole was associated with low proximal pole blood flow, but this relationship was not absolute, suggesting that other factors contribute to the appearance of increased density.