Simple Trapeziectomy for Arthrosis of the Basal Joint of the Thumb: 49 Thumbs Reviewed After Two Years.

BACKGROUND: Many different surgical strategies for arthrosis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb are described in the literature. In 2010 we changed our routine procedure from an interposition arthroplasty using the abductor pollicis longus (APL) tendon to simple trapeziectomy without suspension or interposition. The purpose of this study was to review the clinical outcome after trapeziectomy and to compare it to those we had achieved with the APL procedure. METHODS: We examined 49 hands operated with simple trapeziectomy during 2011-2012. Time between operation and review was 26 (15-26) months. Subjective estimation of pain before and after surgery and satisfaction with the general results were evaluated with visual analogue scales. The ability to participate in various activities of daily living before and after the operation were noted and patients completed the Quick-DASH and the PRWHE questionnaires. The mobility of the thumb and wrist were recorded and grip and key pinch strength were measured. The distance between the base of the first metacarpal and the scaphoid was noted on radiographs. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the present results and those we had achieved with the APL procedure regarding subjective estimation of pain and satisfaction, activities of daily living, mobility, strength and radiographic carpometacarpal distance. For many outcome parameters there was a non-significant trend for better results among the trapeziectomy patients, but increased clumsiness was reported by 20 of them. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that our results with simple trapeziectomy are at least as good as with the APL procedure. However, the considerable number of patients complaining of clumsiness is worrying.

The clinical outcome after extra-articular colles fractures with simultaneous moderate scapholunate dissociation.

Background An increased scapholunate gap is sometimes seen in patients with a distal radial fracture. The question remains as to whether this represents a scapholunate ligament injury that requires treatment. Questions/purposes We wished to examine the natural history of an increased scapholunate gap in patients following an extra-articular distal radial fracture. Patients and Methods We reviewed 260 patients who had sustained a distal radial fracture at a mean of 6.2 (2.7-11.9) years previously and identified 12 extra-articular fractures with an increased gap between the lunate and scaphoid. The mean scapholunate gap was 2.6 (2.1-3.4) mm, and the mean scapholunate angle 62° (39°-90°). Controls were found among the remaining patients with extra-articular fractures. Selection criteria were same sex, age at fracture within 5 years, time between injury and review within 2 years, ulnar variance within 2 mm, and dorsal angulation within 5° of index patient. When more than one control fulfilled the criteria for an index patient, their values were averaged. In total there were 54 controls for the 12 index patients. Results The mean difference between index patients and controls in wrist range of motion was 4%, in grip strength 5%, in visual analog scale (VAS) for pain 1 (on a scale from 1 to 100), in Quick-DASH (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) score 5, and in PRWE score 1. The study was calculated to have the power to detect a difference in Quick-DASH scores and in Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) scores of 14. Conclusions We conclude that at a mean follow up of 6.2 years following an extra-articular distal radial fracture, no surgical treatment is usually needed with a scapholunate gap of between 2.1-3.4 mm. Level of Evidence III, Case control study.

[The significance of displacement in dorsally angled distal radial fractures]. / Betydningen av feilstilling etter dorsalt vinklet distal radiusfraktur.

BACKGROUND: Distal radial fractures occur very frequently. Most are dorsally displaced (Colles' fracture). In contrast to previously, approximately a quarter of these patients now undergo surgery. This is more than the number that is reduced and immobilised in a plaster cast. Volar plate osteosynthesis is now the most common type of surgery. There is great uncertainty regarding indications for surgery. METHOD: The article is based on own research, a search in PubMed and a review of reference lists to identify articles that compare radiological and clinical outcomes after Colles' fractures. RESULTS: A number of national orthopaedic associations have reviewed the literature in an attempt to draw up guidelines for indications for performing surgery on distal radial fractures, without being able to arrive at definite recommendations based on randomised studies. Our review of the literature indicates a very uncertain correlation between radiological displacement and the final clinical outcome. This applies particularly to elderly patients (over 55-65), where by far the majority of the studies do not find any such correlation. Complications and reoperation are common among patients who have undergone volar plate surgery. INTERPRETATION: There is surprisingly little correlation between the radiological and clinical outcome after Colles' fractures. A practice where a large proportion of patients undergo surgery is probably not justified. Elderly patients will very seldom benefit from surgery in the longer term.

Percutaneous pinning of fractures of the distal radius.

Reduction of fractures of the distal radius is often supplemented with percutaneous pinning, but there is little evidence that this affects the clinical outcome. A total of 43 patients with pinned, and 296 with conservatively-treated, fractures were reviewed a mean of 6 (range 3-13) years after injury. We found controls among the conservatively-treated patients who matched 30 of the patients with pinned fractures with respect to age, sex, trauma energy, and radiographic measurements at injury. Clinical and radiological results of the two groups were compared and contrasted. There was a trend for better radiological results in patients with pinned fractures, but not significantly so, and no difference in clinical variables. We identified seven published randomised studies in which pinning was compared with reduction and plaster of Paris alone. Most reported better radiological results at review. The three smallest studies with the shortest follow-up reported better clinical outcome for pinned fractures, while the remaining four studies found no significant clinical benefit from pinning. Although the radiological results were improved by percutaneous pinning in addition to reduction and plaster of Paris, the clinical outcome in extra-articular and simple intra-articular fractures seemed unaffected.

Accurate radiographic measurement of the distal radial tilt.

Both wrists in 189 patients who had been treated for dorsally displaced distal radius fracture were X-rayed with both right angle and 15° tilted lateral views. Two investigators measured the radial tilt. The mean difference in the angles recorded by the two investigators was 2.5° for the tilted and 3.7° for the right angle projections (p = 4.7 × 10(-8)). The precision of the method was 2.6° for the tilted and 3.5° for right angle projection. The mean angle measured on the tilted views was 3° more dorsal than on the right angle views for wrists with a volar tilt between 10° and 15°, and 0° to 2° for wrists with less volar tilt or dorsal displacement. Lateral projections tilted 15° allow more precise measurements than right angle views. Correction is not necessary when comparing to right angle views, as long as there is displacement in a dorsal direction of the distal fragment.

Obstetric brachial plexus palsy: a birth injury not explained by the known risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and prognosis of obstetric brachial plexus injuries and analyze associated risk factors. DESIGN: Analysis of prospectively collected information comprising all births from 1991 to 2000, with complete follow-up of affected children. Setting. St Olav's University Hospital, a tertiary care hospital in the middle part of Norway. POPULATION: Thirty thousand five hundred and seventy-four children; all were examined within 24 hours of birth and 91 were diagnosed with brachial plexus injury. METHODS: We reviewed the hospital records and analyzed the data submitted from our hospital to the Medical Birth Register of Norway. RESULT: Risk factors are shoulder dystocia, macrosomy, diabetes, vacuum extraction and forceps delivery. The predictive power of these variables is poor. Almost half of the plexus injuries followed spontaneous vaginal deliveries with second stage of 30 minutes or less. Two newborns were delivered by cesarean section and two were vaginal breech deliveries. In 15 children (0.5/1,000) a permanent plexus injury has been diagnosed. Compared with transient plexus impairment, risk factors for a permanent injury were high maternal body mass index, shoulder dystocia, fractured humerus and fetal asphyxia. Fracture of the clavicle was significantly more frequent when the injury was transient, possibly reflecting a protective effect. CONCLUSION: The incidence of obstetric brachial plexus injury is 0.3% and the recovery rate is 84%, resulting in 0.5 permanent injuries per 1,000 births. Plexus injury is not well predicted by known risk factors. Other etiological factors should be sought.