Clinical and Radiological Outcome of Osteoscopic-Assisted Treatment of Enchondroma in Hand with Artificial Bone Substitute or Bone Graft: A 7-Year Case Series and Literature Review.

Background: This study aims to look at the intermediate-term clinical, functional and radiological outcomes of patients with enchondroma in hand treated with osteoscopic-assisted curettage and artificial bone substitute or bone graft. The addition of osteoscopy allows direct visualisation of the bone cavity during and after curettage of tumour tissue without the need of creating a large opening in the bone cortex. This could lead to better clearance of tumour tissue and lower risk of iatrogenic fracture. Methods: A total of 11 patients who received surgery from December 2013 to November 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. All cases had histological diagnosis of enchondroma. Patients with a follow-up period of less than 3 months were excluded. The mean duration of follow-up was 20.9 months. For the clinical outcome, we measured the total active motion (TAM) and graded with Belsky score grip strength. For the functional outcome, the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH) score was used. For the radiological outcome, we evaluated the X-ray for bone cavity filling defect, new bone formation according to the system proposed by Tordai. Results: The mean TAM of patients was 257º. A total of 60% patients had Belsky score grading excellent, 40% patients had Belsky score grading good. The mean percentage of grip strength compared with the contralateral side was 86.2%. The mean QuickDASH score was 7.7. For the wound aesthetic rating by patients, 81.8% patients reported as excellent. For the radiological outcome, the postoperative X-ray of all patients showed bone filling defect less than 3 mm. The mean time to complete bone consolidation was 3.8 months. None of the patients showed any radiological signs of recurrence. Conclusions: Our study showed that patients with enchondromas in hand treated with this minimally invasive method demonstrated good functional and radiological outcome. Its application may also be extended into treating other benign bone lesions in hand. Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic).

Is It Possible to Perform Fifth Carpometacarpal Joint Arthroscopy? Cadaveric Study on Its Feasibility, Safety, and Potential Hazards in Portal Creation.

Background Fifth carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) fracture dislocation is a relatively rare injury and most will require operative treatment because of its unstable nature. Improper reduction and fixation lead to joint surface destruction, pain, and reduced grasping power. Intra-articular fragment reduction is often obscured by dorsally displaced ulnar fragment. Therefore, fifth CMCJ arthroscopy can be advantageous in assisting intra-articular fragment reduction. However, there is no detailed description of the portal landmarks or portals' relationship with adjacent important structures in the literature. Purposes To explore the feasibility and safety of fifth CMCJ arthroscopy, locations of the portals are examined in cadaveric hand specimens. Their proximity to important anatomical structures such as dorsal cutaneous branch of ulnar nerve (DCBUN), ring finger and little finger extensor digitorum communis (EDC), and extensor digiti minimi (EDM) is measured. Methods Fifth CMCJ arthroscopy is performed on 11 cadaveric hand specimens by specialist-level surgeon. The portals are marked and portal positions are further confirmed under the fluoroscopy. Then the cadaveric specimens were undergone anatomical dissection by specialist-level surgeon. During dissection, the spatial relationship between the portal positions and DCBUN, EDC to ring finger and little finger, and EDM is identified. The distance between the portals and the above important structures was measured in millimeters. Results DCBUN was consistently found between fourth metacarpohamate (4-MH) and fifth metacarpohamate (5-MH) portals, with it being closer to the latter (mean distance, 2.03 mm; range, 0-4.43 mm; standard deviation [SD], 1.09 mm). The closest tendon for 4-MH portal is ring finger EDC (mean distance, 2.65 mm; range, 0-5.89 mm; SD, 1.78 mm), while 5-MH portal and accessory portal were closest to EDC (mean distance, 1.88 mm; range, 0-3.69 mm; SD, 1.25 mm) and EDM (mean distance, 7.79 mm; range, 6.63-10.72 mm; SD, 1.49 mm), respectively. During the process of specimen dissection, we found no damage to the above structures after portal introduction. Conclusion The above findings support the use of fifth CMCJ arthroscopy, which can be used for assisted reduction in fifth metacarpal base fracture dislocation and hamate body fracture. Gentle soft tissue spreading technique during portal creation prevents injury to the important structure surrounding the portals. Level of evidence This is a Level V study.

Comparing Outcomes between Arthroscopic-Assisted Reduction and Fluoroscopic Reduction in AO Type C Distal Radius Fracture Treatment.

Background Distal radius fracture is one of the most common injuries. Poor functional result with restricted wrist motion can be developed when there is intra-articular fibrous tissue development arising from articular step-off and gapping. Objectives The aim of this study is to compare the functional and radiological outcome between arthroscopic-assisted reduction and fluoroscopic reduction in treating unstable intra-articular distal radius fracture. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 12 patients with intraarticular AO type C distal radius fracture treated with arthroscopic-assisted fracture reduction and internal fixation and compared them with another group of 12 patients in which fracture reduction is assessed by fluoroscopy alone (15 males and 9 females, mean age 57.3, range 27-73). The two cohorts were analyzed for differences in radiological parameters including articular stepping and gapping, palmar tilt, radial inclination, ulnar variance as well as functional outcome in range of motion, grip strength, modified mayo wrist score, and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score at an average of 12.5 months (range 5-26) after surgery. Results Arthroscopic-assisted fracture reduction group has statistically better restoration of articular stepping and gapping, volar tilt and ulnar variance. Range of motion, grip strength, modified mayo wrist score and Quick DASH score also had statistically significant improvement in arthroscopic group. Conclusion Our study showed arthroscopic-assisted technique can precisely restore radiological parameters in highly comminuted distal radius fracture with good functional outcome. Also, associated intra-articular soft tissue injury can be detected and treated simultaneously. Level of Evidence This is a level III, retrospective cohort study.

Hand Surgery in Hong Kong.

Hand surgery in Hong Kong was borne out of necessity. It has been changing with the social, economic, and political situations. The spectrum of hand surgeries evolves with time, from infection-related hand surgeries to microsurgical or non-microsurgical operations on the huge volume of industrial hand injuries, to a wider variety of reconstructions on rheumatological, congenital upper limbs, traumatic, neurological diseases, etc, to minimally invasive surgeries on hand, wrist, and elbow. Hand surgery was deeply-rooted in orthopaedics in Hong Kong and is inseparable from microsurgeries, which have built a strong foundation for any kind of its future development.

Wrist Arthroscopy Under Portal Site Local Anesthesia Without Tourniquet and Sedation.

We had developed the technique of portal site local anaesthesia (PSLA) for wrist arthroscopy. Two percent lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine is injected through a 25G needle to various portal sites. The radiocarpal joint is then distended with saline injection and portal is created with transverse superficial skin incision followed by dilation with curved hemostat. The patient is neither sedated, nor under general or regional anaesthesia. Tourniquet is not routinely used. PSLA can achieve satisfactory comfort level in 88% of our 111 patients without any complication. In well-selected patients, it is a safe and comfortable procedure.

Arthroscopic synovectomy for rheumatoid wrists and elbows.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment outcome of wrist and elbow arthroscopic synovectomy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: 3 men and 18 women aged 27 to 71 (mean, 54) years underwent arthroscopic synovectomy for rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist (n=12) and elbow (n=13). All patients had received multiple medications including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and steroids, as well as physiotherapy and splintage for 6 months, but the joint pain and disability persisted. The median duration of rheumatoid arthritis was 89 (range, 24-156) and 108 (range, 36-360) months for the wrist and elbow joints, respectively. According to the Larsen grading, the radiographic stages of the wrists and elbows were classified as grade 1 (n=4+4), grade 2 (n=4+5), and grade 3 (n=4+4). Visual analogue scale for pain, the wrist and elbow flexion-extension arcs, grip strength, key pinch strength, inflammatory markers, disability and symptoms were compared pre- and post-operatively. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 30 (range, 18-78) and 34 (range, 18-78) months for wrists and elbows, respectively. There was significant improvement in pain, joint motion, inflammatory markers, and disability score. All patients were satisfied with the surgery. There was no neurovascular or wound complication. No patient was taking longterm pain-control drugs. One patient underwent a second arthroscopic synovectomy after 15 months owing to exacerbation of arthritis. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic synovectomy is recommended for patients with rheumatoid arthritis who fail conservative treatment.

Calcinosis cutis of the hand in a renal failure patient: a case report.

A 25-year-old woman with end-stage renal failure presented with subcutaneous calcinosis cutis that grew rapidly in both hands. Radiographs showed subcutaneous lobulated calcific deposits. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a heterogeneous mass encasing segments of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons. Excision of the masses was performed. Histopathology revealed amorphous calcified deposits in fibrous tissue and a foreign body reaction. There was no evidence of a tubercular lesion. Further investigation revealed the presence of hyperphosphataemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism, despite a normal serum calcium level. Oral phosphate-lowering agents failed to control the condition, and recurrence was noted 6 months later. The patient finally underwent parathyroidectomy and has had no further recurrence.

Delayed rupture of flexor pollicis longus tendon after volar plating of the distal radius.

Flexor tendon rupture following distal radius fracture is rare. We described a case of flexor pollicis longus rupture, presented five years after volar plating of distal radius fracture.