Restoring Volar Tilt in AO Type C2 Fractures of the Distal Radius With Unilateral External Fixation.

PURPOSE: To determine whether unilateral external fixation using a staged multiplanar reduction technique restores anatomic volar tilt in a distal radius fracture model. METHODS: We used radiographic images to obtain baseline measurements in 20 fresh-frozen cadaveric wrists. Through a standard dorsal approach to the radius, we performed osteotomies to simulate displaced AO/ASIF type C2 fractures. After placement of a unilateral external fixator, a stepwise technique of applying longitudinal traction followed by a volar translational maneuver was performed. Radiographic imaging was obtained after each step of the multiplanar reduction technique. RESULTS: Standard longitudinal traction did not restore volar tilt angles to their baseline measurements. The addition of a volar translation maneuver had a significant effect on restoring baseline volar tilt. There was a statistically significant difference in volar tilt measurements between straight longitudinal traction and volar translation. Radial inclination, radial height, and ulnar variance did not differ significantly between longitudinal traction and the addition of volar translation. CONCLUSIONS: A criticism of traditional external fixation is the inability of longitudinal ligamentotaxis to attain sagittal plane (volar tilt) reduction of the articular surface. This study demonstrates that a multiplanar reduction technique using unilateral external fixation devices on cadaveric distal radius fractures can achieve an acceptable reduction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: External fixation of distal radius fractures may be favorable in situations where soft tissue loss, wound contamination, and comorbid medical factors preclude the use of internal fixation techniques. A multiplanar reduction technique using a unilateral external fixation device may facilitate fracture reduction in acceptable alignment.

Muscle Atrophy at Presentation of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Demographics and Duration of Symptoms.

Background: The purpose of this study is to describe the demographics and duration of symptoms of patients with cubital tunnel syndrome who present with muscle atrophy. Methods: We identified 146 patients who presented to the hand surgery clinic at a single institution over a 5-year period with an initial diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome based on history and physical examination. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to determine if there was a difference in demographic data, physical examination findings, and duration of symptoms in patients who presented with muscle atrophy from those with sensory complaints alone. Results: A total of 17/146 (11.6%) of patients presented with muscle atrophy, all of which were men. In all, 17.2% of men presented with atrophy. Age by itself was not a predictor of presentation with atrophy; however, younger patients with atrophy presented with significantly shorter duration of symptoms. Patients under the age of 29 years presenting with muscle atrophy on average had symptoms for 2.4 months compared with 16.2 months of symptoms for those over 55 years of age. Conclusions: Men with cubital tunnel syndrome are more likely to present with muscle atrophy than women. Age is not necessarily a predictor of presentation with atrophy. There is a subset population of younger patients who presents with extremely short duration of symptoms that rapidly develops muscle atrophy.

Enthesopathy of the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis Origin: Effective Communication Strategies.

Enthesopathy of the extensor carpi radialis brevis origin, generally known as tennis elbow, is a common condition arising in middle-aged persons. The diagnosis is typically clear based on the patient interview and physical examination alone; therefore, imaging and other diagnostic tests are usually unnecessary. The natural history of the disorder is spontaneous resolution, but it can last for >1 year. The patient's attitude and circumstances, including stress, distress, and ineffective coping strategies, determine the intensity of the pain and the magnitude of the disability. Despite the best efforts of medical science, no treatments, invasive or noninvasive, have been proven to alter the natural history of the condition. Given the lack of disease-modifying treatments for enthesopathy of the extensor carpi radialis brevis origin, orthopaedic surgeons can benefit from learning effective communication strategies to help convey accurate information that is hopeful and enabling.

Hook Plate Versus Suture Anchor Fixation for Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament Fracture-Avulsions: A Cadaver Study.

PURPOSE: To compare the biomechanical properties of hook plate fixation and suture anchor fixation for collateral ligament fracture-avulsions of the thumb metacarpophalangeal ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). METHODS: A thumb UCL fracture-avulsion model was created in 7 matched pairs of cadaver hands. An osteotomy was made parallel to the shaft of the proximal phalanx along the entire insertion of the UCL. The simulated fracture was secured using either a suture anchor tied over bone tunnels in the avulsion fragment or with a hook plate. Specimens were mounted on a servohydraulic load frame and loaded to failure. Motion perpendicular to the osteotomy was measured using an implanted 3-mm differential variable reluctance transducer device. Differences in load to failure and construct stiffness were compared and analyzed using a t test. RESULTS: The hook plate construct failed at significantly higher loads than suture fixation. Mean load to failure in the hook plate construct was 58 N (± 20 N) compared with 27 N (± 19 N) in the suture anchor construct. The difference in construct stiffness was 49 N/mm (± 17 N/mm) for the plate compared with 7 N/mm (± 13 N/mm) for the suture anchor. The main mechanism of failure for the hook plate construct was screw pullout or screw bending. The usual mechanism of failure for the suture anchor construct was anchor pullout. CONCLUSIONS: The hook plate construct was biomechanically superior to the suture anchor construct for fixation of thumb metacarpophalangeal joint UCL fracture-avulsions with regard to load to failure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The hook plate construct provides stronger fixation than a suture anchor for thumb UCL fracture-avulsions.

Outcomes of Open Dorsal Wrist Ganglion Excision in Active-Duty Military Personnel.

PURPOSE: To examine the most common presenting complaints of active-duty service members with isolated dorsal wrist ganglions and to determine the rate of return to unrestricted duty after open excision. METHODS: Surgical records at 2 military facilities were screened to identify male and female active duty service members undergoing isolated open excision of dorsal wrist ganglions from January 1, 2006 to January 1, 2014. Electronic medical records and service disability databases were searched to identify the most common presenting symptoms and to determine whether patients returned to unrestricted active duty after surgery. Postoperative outcomes examined were pain persisting greater than 4 weeks after surgery, stiffness requiring formal occupational therapy treatment, surgical wound complications, and recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 125 active duty military personnel (Army, 54; Navy, 43; and Marine Corps, 28) met criteria for inclusion. Mean follow-up was 45 months. Fifteen percent (8 of 54) of the Army personnel were given permanent waivers from performing push-ups owing to persistent pain and stiffness. Pain persisting greater than 4 weeks after surgery was an independent predictor of eventual need for a permanent push-up waiver. The overall recurrence incidence was 9%. No demographic or perioperative factors were associated with recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Patients whose occupation or activities require forceful wrist extension should be counseled on the considerable risk of residual pain and functional limitations that may occur after open dorsal wrist ganglion excision. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Free vascularized fibular grafts for femoral head osteonecrosis: alternative technique utilizing a buttress plate for graft fixation.

Core decompression with free vascularized fibular grafting is an effective hip preservation treatment for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. This procedure has traditionally utilized a single Kirschner wire to secure the fibular strut within the femoral neck. While this method has proven effective, migration of the Kirschner wire remains the most common recipient site complication. Additionally the presence of the Kirschner wire traversing the intramedullary canal can also complicate future hip arthroplasty. Therefore, this article describes a simple graft fixation technique utilizing a buttress plate that obviates migration problems. Ten patients are presented with at least 6 months of follow-up who have been treated with this technique without complications. This fixation method is simple and eliminates a major potential complication and allows for easier conversion to total hip arthroplasty.

Radial collateral ligament injuries of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint: epidemiology in a military population.

PURPOSE: The reasons for variation in the reported incidence rates between thumb metacarpophalangeal joint radial collateral ligament (RCL) and ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries are unclear. Delay in diagnosis of injury to the RCL leads to greater time of patient disability. The purpose of this study was to define the demographics and presentation of patients with RCL injuries in a military health care system. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of electronic medical records over a 5-year period to determine the incidence and epidemiology related to patients with instability of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint resulting from injury of the radial or ulnar collateral ligaments. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients presented with thumb metacarpophalangeal joint instability. Of these, 18 (32%) had an RCL injury. Patients with an RCL injury were, on average, younger than those with UCL injuries. Those with RCL injuries were more likely to require surgery than were those with UCL injuries (67% vs 40%). With regard to time to presentation, most patients with UCL injuries presented 2 to 10 weeks after injury, whereas nearly all patients with RCL injuries presented greater than 10 weeks after injury. Radial collateral ligament injuries were more likely than UCL injuries to have resulted from an axial load (56% vs 16%), whereas UCL injuries were more likely to have been caused by an abduction-adduction moment (50% vs 22%). CONCLUSIONS: In this series, patients sustaining injuries to the RCL were younger and presented later than their counterparts with UCL instability. Close attention to subtle or frank instability presenting as pain in younger patients with axial loading injury mechanisms may allow early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of this injury.

Restoration of longitudinal forearm stability using a suture button construct.

PURPOSE: This study proposed a method of restoring the longitudinal stability of the forearm provided by the central band of the interosseous membrane (IOM) by using a percutaneously placed suture button construct. We hypothesized that supporting the forearm IOM with a suture button construct would restore longitudinal stability in a cadaveric model of the Essex-Lopresti lesion. METHODS: We assessed 7 adult cadaver upper extremities radiographically for evidence of previous elbow, forearm, or wrist fracture. Each limb was mounted onto a materials testing system with the elbow held at 90° and the forearm in neutral. The intact specimen was loaded cyclically at 134 N to determine the native mobility of the forearm segment. Each specimen was tested after each of the following steps: radial head removal, transection of the IOM, and suture button construct reconstruction of the IOM. After the final reconstruction, each specimen was examined for forearm range of motion and evidence of neurovascular injury. RESULTS: Removal of the radial head and sectioning of the IOM sequentially increased average proximal migration of the radius by 3.6 and 7.1 mm, respectively. After reconstruction with the suture button construct, the IOM was restored to the intact state with only the radial head removed. Forearm rotation was not compromised by the reconstruction, and there was no evidence of neurovascular injury in any specimen. CONCLUSIONS: A percutaneously placed suture button construct can restore the longitudinal stability provided by an IOM. The method described did not limit forearm rotation. We encountered no neurovascular injury in the specimens tested in this series. This construct may be an effective adjunct when combined with bony reconstruction to treat longitudinal forearm axis injuries.

Complications of small joint arthroplasty.

Arthritis in the small joints of the hand can be treated with arthrodesis or arthroplasty. Arthrodesis has known risks of infection, pain, and nonunion. Distal interphalangeal (DIP) arthroplasty has been successful in preserving motion and alleviating pain for distal DIP, proximal interphalangeal, and metacarpophalangeal joints. Unfortunately, complications arise that limit the success of surgery. Silicone implants have been reliable for many years but still present with the risks of infection, implant breakage, stiffness, and pain. Newer implant designs may limit some of these complications, but present with unique problems such as dislocations and loosening. It is not yet clear as to which type of implant provides the most reliable results, although implant arthroplasty appears to give better function than arthrodesis. Silicone arthroplasty does not lead to silicone synovitis and is a reliable procedure. Pyrocarbon implants are showing some promise, particularly in the osteoarthritic patient.