Ulnar-Sided Wrist Pain: A Diagnostic Evaluation Guide From 30-Plus Years of Experience.

INTRODUCTION: While multiple ulnar-sided wrist pain (USWP) diagnostic evaluation guides have been presented, none have included original clinical data or statistical analysis. The purpose of this study is to provide a diagnostic evaluation guide derived from original clinical data and analysis to help clinicians arrive at a differential diagnosis for USWP. METHODS: Using a computer search of patients presenting with sprains, instability, and laxity of the wrist, 385 patient charts were identified. Patient demographics, mechanism of injury, subjective complaints, physical findings, and diagnostic test findings were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed to determine sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic methods on their ability to identify lunotriquetral ligament tears, triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears, and ulnar impaction syndrome. Diagnostic arthroscopy was used as the reference standard. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients, comprising 101 cases of USWP, were included in the study. The onset of injury was traumatic in 83 out of 101 cases with motor vehicle accidents (N=46) being the most common, followed by overuse (N=18), and a fall onto an outstretched hand (N=16). The ulnocarpal tenderness test exhibited sensitivity/specificity of 72%/33%; lunotriquetral ligament laxity test of 42%/62%; bone scan of 80%/33%; radiocarpal arthrogram of 90%/98% for TFCC tears and 50%/91% for lunotriquetral ligament tears; midcarpal arthrogram of 82%/86% for lunotriquetral ligament tears. The mean ulnar variance on standard posteroanterior view radiograph was 0.95 mm, increasing to 2.67 mm on gripping posteroanterior view. CONCLUSION: Physicians should suspect a lunotriquetral ligament and/or TFCC tear with the acute onset of USWP following a loaded dorsiflexed mechanism of injury. Ulnocarpal tenderness tests and pre-operative ulnar variance measures are effective for increasing suspicion of USW pathology. Bone scans are helpful in diagnosing ulnar impaction syndrome in conjunction with radiographic findings. A combination of midcarpal arthrogram for lunotriquetral ligament tears and radiocarpal arthrogram for TFCC tears should be employed.

Clinical Outcomes of Lunocapitate Arthrodesis: A Retrograde Single-Screw Approach.

BACKGROUND: A single-site retrospective study was designed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of single-screw lunocapitate arthrodesis (LCA) using a retrograde approach for the treatment of scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) wrist. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 31 patients (33 cases) between September 2010 and December 2019 with SLAC wrist changes who were treated with single-screw LCA. Objective outcomes included time to fusion, union rate, range of motion, and grip and pinch strength recovery. Subjective outcomes included Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores. RESULTS: We report on 33 cases (7 female), mean age 58.4 years (range: 41-85), with SLAC wrist who underwent LCA. Our cohort reported a 94% union rate and a 90-day mean time to fusion. Final active wrist range of motion was 38° dorsiflexion, 35° volarflexion, 17° radial deviation, 17° ulnar deviation, 82° pronation, and 83° supination (mean: 450.8 days). Final grip and pinch strengths recovered was 75% gross grip, 84% lateral pinch, and 75% precision pinch (mean: 379.0 days) compared with the contralateral side. The mean postoperative DASH score was 27 (mean: 1203.9 days). Two nonunions were observed. Two hardware complications occurred: one symptomatic screw and one screw fatigue fracture. CONCLUSIONS: We found retrograde single-screw LCA to be an effective salvage procedure for SLAC wrist. LCA is a less-taxing procedure, requires shorter operating time, and produces range of motion and grip and pinch strength recovery comparable to those of 4-corner arthrodesis. Furthermore, the viability of single-screw fixation may reduce hardware-related operative costs without compromising union rates.

A Modified Suture Suspension Arthroplasty Technique for the Treatment of Basal Joint Arthritis: Short- to Intermediate-Term Outcomes.

Background: To present a retrospective study on the outcomes of a modified version of suture suspension arthroplasty with trapeziectomy on patients with thumb basal joint arthritis and to evaluate the relationship between the degree of subsidence and functional outcome. Methods: We performed a chart review on 67 patients (75 thumbs) who were surgically treated for thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis with trapeziectomy and suture suspension arthroplasty from May 2010 to May 2016. Outcome measures included Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), grip strength, lateral/precision pinch strength, range of motion, and return to work/resumption of usual activities. Radiographic images were used to measure first metacarpal subsidence into the trapezial space. Results: Clinical outcomes were satisfactory, showing an initial postoperative DASH score of 45.94, which decreased to 27.93 at 6 months postoperatively and to 19.69 at 1 year postoperatively. Radiographic images revealed a mean first metacarpal subsidence of 39% compared with the preoperative images. Grip and pinch strengths showed steady improvement from initial postoperative to final follow-up visits, resulting in 90% recovery of gross grasp, 77% recovery of lateral pinch, and 79% recovery of precision pinch compared with the contralateral side. Conclusions: Our study has found that suture suspension arthroplasty with trapeziectomy is an effective treatment for thumb basal joint arthritis. Suture suspension arthroplasty allows for short immobilization time, avoids tendon sacrifice, avoids anchor use, and leaves a cosmetically appealing scar. Furthermore, a relationship of any significance between postoperative first metacarpal subsidence and functional outcomes does not appear.

Premeasured Intramedullary Nails for the Treatment of Metacarpal Fractures: Novel Instrumentation and Technique.

With nearly 36% of hand fractures occurring at the metacarpal, a variety of treatment interventions have been developed. Although many nondisplaced metacarpal fractures can be treated with conservative management, displaced, unstable, open, and extra-articular fractures require surgical attention. Compared with open reduction with plate fixation, closed reduction with intramedullary fixation has shown advantages of a simplified technique, minimal soft tissue dissection, and reduced tendon irritation and scar formation. The current study reports on the improved surgical technique associated with the use of novel instrumentation for the closed reduction and intramedullary fixation of extra-articular metacarpal fractures. The design and surgical technique of the premeasured Secure Intramedullary Nail improves fracture fixation, minimizing rotation and backing out, while reducing concerns for soft tissue irritation complications at the base of the metacarpal. Our reported case series suggests procedural efficiency, a low complication rate, and fast recovery for those with indicated extra-articular fractures.

Classification and Treatment of Ulnar Nerve Subluxation Following Endoscopic Cubital Tunnel Release.

Purpose: Endoscopic cubital tunnel release (ECuTR) is an effective procedure to alleviate cubital tunnel syndrome. To improve patient outcomes and lessen concerns regarding ulnar nerve subluxation (UNS) after ECuTR, the current study proposes an intraoperative UNS classification system and subsequent treatment protocol. We present a preliminary report of patients treated under these guidelines. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 87 patients (100 ECuTRs). Nerve mobility was classified during surgery, in which grade 1 = no movement or partial subluxation; deep retrocondylar groove and/or no generalized hypermobility (no further intervention); grade 2 = partial subluxation; shallow retrocondylar groove and/or inherent generalized hypermobility (required medial epicondylectomy); and grade 3 = complete anterior dislocation (required medial epicondylectomy or anterior transposition). Clinical outcomes at final follow-up (mean ± SD, 34 ± 20.3 weeks; range, 5-89 weeks) were collected and included Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaires, visual analog scale pain score, grip and pinch strength, 2-point discrimination, and range of motion. Results: We report 37 patients (42 cases), grade 1 (n = 30), grade 2 (n = 1), and grade 3 (n = 11). Gross grip strength, lateral, 3-jaw chuck, and precision pinch strength recovered 87%, 90%, 105%, and 87%, respectively. Wrist and elbow range of motion returned to normal limits, 2-point discrimination improved to normal scores at final follow-up, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores were reduced from 59.8 before to 29.9 after surgery, and visual analog scale pain score improved from 7.2 before to 2.5 after surgery (P < .001). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to classify UNS after ECuTR and describe a guideline for ensuing treatment. Our preliminary report of patients shows satisfactory outcomes, which suggests that our intraoperative UNS classification system has promise in preventing adverse complications of ulnar nerve hypermobility after ECuTR. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic IV.

An anatomical basis for endoscopic cubital tunnel release and associated clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: To study the ulnar nerve in fresh-frozen cadavers as related to endoscopic release of the cubital tunnel and to present a retrospective review of patients treated with decompression via endoscopic visualization. METHODS: To further our understanding of relevant anatomy, we dissected 26 cadaver limbs. We paid special attention to fascial membranes as potential sites of constriction as well as the position of nerves, vessels, and aberrant anatomy. These findings facilitated our understanding of the extent of release in 80 patients (92 cases) with endoscopic cubital tunnel simple decompression. Outcome measures included Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score, Gabel and Amadio score, and grip and pinch strengths. RESULTS: We noted fascial bands proximal to the medial epicondyle in 12 of 26 cadaver specimens, 2 of which could be the so-called arcade of Struthers. We observed a high degree of variability in the anatomy of the flexor pronator aponeurosis distal to the medial epicondyle. Where present (n = 10), medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve branches crossed the ulnar nerve at an average distance of 2.9 cm from the medial epicondyle (range, 1.0-4.5 cm). Aberrant structures were noted in 8 of the 26 specimens, including an anconeus epitrochlearis muscle in 2 specimens, a basilic vein crossing the ulnar nerve in 4 specimens, and an accessory origin of the medial head of the triceps from the medial intermuscular septum in 2 specimens. In the clinical portion of this study, the average Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score before surgery was 49 (n = 34) and after surgery was 25 (n = 56). The Gabel and Amadio outcome scores were 24 excellent, 40 good, 25 fair, and 3 poor (n = 92). Average follow-up was 8.2 months (range, 0.1-35 mo). CONCLUSIONS: Cadaveric dissections shed light on vulnerable anatomical structures during release, including branches of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, ulnar nerve, brachial artery, fascial bands, and basilic vein. The high degree of anatomical variability in this study highlights the advantage of endoscopic visualization in allowing surgeons to minimize surgical trauma. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Isolated lunotriquetral ligament tears treated with ulnar shortening osteotomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate outcomes in a single-surgeon series of ulnar shortening osteotomy for the treatment of traumatic isolated tears to the lunotriquetral interosseous ligament (LTIL). METHODS: This study includes 53 consecutive cases of posttraumatic isolated LTIL tears treated with ulnar shortening osteotomy with minimum 1-year follow-up (range, 1.0-10.6 y). We confirmed all LTIL tears via arthroscopy before performing a precision 2.5-mm oblique osteotomy using a modified Rayhack technique. We assessed outcomes using grip strength measurements and Chun and Palmer's modified Gartland Werley wrist scoring system, which includes subjective and objective outcome measures. RESULTS: Preoperatively, 45 cases were graded as fair (28%; n = 15) or poor (57%; n = 30) on the modified Gartland Werley score. There were insufficient data to calculate grades in 8 cases (15%). At final follow-up, most patients exhibited excellent (51%; n = 27) or good (32%; n = 17) scores, some scored fair (17%; n = 9), and none scored as poor. All subjective and objective variables significantly improved over a mean follow-up of 36 months (range, 12-127 mo). Mean grip strength increased from a value of 23 kg before surgery to 33 kg over the same period, a 41% increase. All patients achieved clinical and radiographic union by 10 months. Osteotomy plates were removed routinely in most cases (89%; n = 47) at a mean of 17 months. CONCLUSIONS: Ulnar shortening osteotomy reduced symptoms of posttraumatic isolated LTIL tears in this single-surgeon series. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.