A Novel Screening Technique for Ulnar-Sided Carpometacarpal Dislocations.

Diagnosing ulnar-sided carpometacarpal joint dislocation is difficult, and more than half of injuries are missed on initial examination. The authors hypothesized that measuring the angle between the capitate and the metacarpals (capitate-metacarpal angle) on a plain radiograph would provide a simple, reliable tool to aid in the diagnosis of ulnar-sided carpometacarpal dislocation. This study retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent surgery for ulnar-sided carpometacarpal dislocation (study group). Two authors identified the contour of the capitate and the second, fourth, and fifth metacarpals on plain radiographs. The control group consisted of patients who had radiographs and no bony carpal or metacarpal pathology. Information on the contour of each bone was entered into MATLAB, version 8.5, software (MathWorks, Natick, Massachusetts), which calculated the 2-dimensional angles. A 3-dimensional model based on computed tomography scan data was used to obtain a "true lateral" image to account for variable rotation on plain radiographs. With the use of conventional lateral hand radiographs, the average capitate-metacarpal angle in the control group was 10° compared with 19° in the study group. Using a screening value of 15° on plain radiographs, the sensitivity of the capitate-metacarpal angle was 0.85 and the specificity was 0.79. Both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional measurements showed that the angle between the capitate and the lesser metacarpals is a reliable screening tool for carpometacarpal dislocation. During evaluation of patients with posttraumatic hand pain, an increased capitate-metacarpal angle may indicate the need for advanced imaging studies to further evaluate the carpometacarpal joints. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(2):e352-e356.].

Intra-Articular Dislocation of the Patella With Associated Hoffa Fracture in a Skeletally Immature Patient.

Since 1887, approximately 50 cases of an intra-articular patellar dislocation have been reported in the worldwide literature. The vast majority of patients required an open reduction of the patella or closed reduction under general anesthesia. This injury has never been reported in association with a coronal shear fracture of the femoral condyle. A 14-year-old boy presented to our institution with his left knee locked in flexion after a direct blow. Radiographs showed the patella rotated on its horizontal axis and lying in a transverse position within the knee joint, as well as a concomitant femoral condyle fracture. After a successful closed reduction of the patella, the patient underwent open reduction and rigid fixation of the femoral condyle fracture with countersunk interfragmentary screws. At 12 months, the patient was ambulating on the left leg and had painless motion of the knee. We present a rare injury pattern in a skeletally immature patient after a direct blow to the knee. By treating the injuries in a sequential manner and providing a stable fixation construct, the patient was able to achieve a satisfactory return to function even after sustaining a considerable injury to the knee.

Staged treatment of a chronic patellar sleeve fracture using the Taylor spatial frame.

Patellar sleeve fractures are easily missed injuries since plain radiographs may not show a bony fragment at the time of injury. Failure to diagnose these injuries can result in patellar instability, extensor lag, and anterior knee pain. We report a novel treatment using a Taylor spatial frame as part of a staged reconstruction to regain length of the extensor mechanism and maintain knee motion prior to performing primary repair of the avulsed patellar sleeve fragment. In our case, an 11-year-old male presented to our institution six months after sustaining a patellar sleeve fracture. Radiographic examination with the knee in extension revealed a 23-mm gap between the inferior patellar pole fragment and the remaining patella. The patient was ultimately taken to the operating room twelve months after the initial injury for placement of a Taylor spatial frame to regain length of the extensor mechanism. The patient began immediate knee range-of-motion exercises, and performed daily soft tissue lengthening of two millimeters. After four weeks of treatment the patient underwent removal of the fixator and primary repair of the patella. At final follow up six years after patellar reconstruction, the patient had an active knee range-of-motion from five degrees of hyperextension to 140° of flexion. Where current literature reports suboptimal results even when treatment is delayed for two months, in our case the patient was able to obtain a high level of function after treatment with a two-stage reconstruction using a Taylor spatial frame.

Complications associated with hinged external fixation for chronic elbow dislocations.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of patients who underwent application of hinged external fixators for chronic elbow fracture-dislocations. We hypothesized that patients treated for this injury pattern can achieve satisfactory outcomes but encounter many complications and require numerous additional procedures. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 7 patients who were surgically treated with application of a hinged external fixator for chronic ulnohumeral elbow fracture-dislocation. Patients were included only if they had complete ulnohumeral dislocation of greater than 1 month's duration. Demographics, injury pattern, and range of motion were documented. Preoperative and postoperative range of motion was recorded and any treatment complications or additional surgeries were noted. RESULTS: The interval between the initial injury and index procedure averaged 8 months. All patients underwent initial treatment with open reduction internal fixation. Average arc of ulnohumeral motion improved from 26° (range, 0° to 60°) to 120° (range, 100° to 145°). Overall, 4 of 7 patients developed at least one complication during treatment. Three patients required additional procedures aside from removal of the hinged external fixator. These 3 patients underwent a total of 13 additional procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Although patients can achieve good outcomes, realistic expectations should be set. Patients should be aware that surgery can be associated with a high risk of complications, potential treatment failure, and a need for additional surgical procedures. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Repeat emergency room visits for hand and wrist injuries.

PURPOSE: To characterize patients with hand or wrist injuries presenting to our university-based emergency department (ED) after a previous evaluation by an outside ED. We hypothesized that a majority of these patients did not require emergent care, most arrived during working hours, and a disproportionate number were uninsured. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 3,047 orthopedic hand consults from 2002 to 2010. Patients were included if our ED was the patient's second ED evaluation within 30 days for the same complaint. Demographics, diagnosis, referral instructions from the initial institution, date and time of ED visit, treatment received, and insurance status were recorded. Clinical urgency was quantified on an ordinal scale. RESULTS: A total of 325 patients met the inclusion criteria. The most common diagnoses were distal radius and metacarpal fractures. There were 266 (82%) patients with nonurgent diagnoses. A junior-level orthopedic resident treated and discharged 97% of patients from the ED. Sixty-two percent of the patients were uninsured, 32% had Medicaid, and 6% had commercial insurance or Medicare. There was a disproportionate percentage of uninsured and Medicaid patients compared with the payer mix of our state, orthopedic department, and ED. Ninety percent of patients presented on weekdays, and 84% arrived between 6 am and 6 pm. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients who met our inclusion criteria presented to our ED during regular business hours. Most were uninsured and did not have a condition that warranted urgent or emergent evaluation and treatment. With limited resources, it is important that an appropriate follow-up plan from the initial ED be in place so that patients do not have to present to a second ED for the same problem. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic IV.

Volar dislocation of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint with acute repair of the ulnar collateral ligament.

Volar dislocations of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint are uncommon and can be associated with rupture of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). We report a case where a volar thumb dislocation was successfully closed reduced, but instability required open repair of the UCL. Early motion protocol helped achieve favorable results.

Sequelae of foreign bodies in the wrist and hand.

BACKGROUND: Penetrating injuries to the hand are a common occurrence in the emergency room, and embedment of foreign bodies is suspected in many of these cases. The existing literature offers little information on retained foreign bodies. The aim of this study was to identify characteristics, determine prevalence, and observe outcomes for retained foreign bodies in the wrist and hand. METHODS: Four hundred thirty-seven consecutive hand and wrist radiographs in 437 patients from the emergency department of a level 1 trauma center were reviewed for the presence of retained foreign bodies. Location, size, number, and type of foreign body were recorded. Patient demographics, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, and treatment were obtained from medical records. All subsequent hospital and outpatient encounters were reviewed. Follow-up period was 18 months (range, 1-40). RESULTS: Of 437 cases, 65 patients (15 %) had at least one retained foreign body. Nineteen patients underwent removal of foreign body at initial presentation. The average size of foreign bodies removed was 6 mm, compared to 3 mm for those retained. Of 46 patients where the foreign body was left in situ, two (4 %) developed symptoms directly related to the retained foreign body. One of these patients underwent removal. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the safe removal of foreign bodies which are easily accessible or when part of a broader procedure to repair injured structures. Otherwise, we advocate expectant management for all other patients, as the likelihood of persistent symptoms is low and only 2 % of retained foreign bodies required removal later.

Lateral femoral cortical breach during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a biomechanical analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to determine whether secondary fixation is needed when lateral femoral wall breach occurs and whether the diameter of the femoral tunnel affects the cyclical and ultimate load to failure of 3 different suspensory fixation devices. METHODS: Sixty fresh-frozen porcine femora were dissected to isolate the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) footprint. Femoral ACL tunnels were then drilled at diameters of 7, 8, 9, and 10 mm. We conducted 5 separate cyclical and ultimate load testing trials, at each tunnel diameter, for 3 different cortical suspension devices. RESULTS: The mean load to failure decreased as the tunnel size enlarged for all 3 devices. In 7-mm tunnels, mean failure load ranged from 1,163.7 to 1,455.0 N across the 3 devices; in 8-mm tunnels, 1,154.7 to 1,643.2 N; in 9-mm tunnels, 820.8 to 1,125.21 N; and in 10-mm tunnels, 314.7 to 917.8 N. Modes of failure also varied as the tunnel sizes enlarged. The ultimate load was not different among the 3 manufacturers (P = .08), but there was a difference in the ultimate load across the 4 tunnel diameters (P < .05), except when we compared the 7-mm tunnel with the 8-mm tunnel (P = .91). CONCLUSIONS: With 7- and 8-mm-diameter tunnels, failure loads with each of the suspensory devices tested exceeded the documented interference screw load to failure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our findings suggest that, for soft-tissue ACL grafts, femoral tunnels of 8 mm or less can be drilled through the lateral femoral cortex while still using a suspensory device for graft fixation. With pediatric, double-bundle, and anatomic ACL reconstructions, smaller and shorter tunnels are routinely used. Thus, breaching the lateral cortex when using suspensory fixation may increase tunnel length while still achieving stable fixation.

Commercial products that convey personal health information in emergencies.

OBJECTIVE: Describe commercially available products and services designed to convey personal health information in emergencies. METHODS: The search engine Google®, supplemented by print ads, was used to identify companies and organizations that offer relevant products and services to the general market. Disease-specific, health system, and health plan-specific offerings were excluded. Vendor web sites were the primary sources of information, supplemented by telephone and e-mail queries to sales representatives. Perfect inter-rater agreement was achieved. RESULTS: Thirty-nine unique vendors were identified. Eight sell engraved jewelry. Three offer an embossed card or pamphlet. Twelve supply USB drives with various features. Eleven support password-protected web sites. Five maintain national call centers. Available media differed markedly with respect to capacity and accessibility. Quoted prices ranged from a one-time expenditure of $3.50 to an annual fee of $200. Associated features and annual fees varied widely. CONCLUSION: A wide range of products and services exist to help patients convey personal health information. Health care providers should be familiar with their features, so they can access the information in a disaster or emergency.