Chronic Volar Dislocation of the Distal Radioulnar Joint Stabilised by a Partial Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Tendon Strip - A Case Report.

Volar dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint is a rare injury that is often missed at initial presentation. We report a 21-year-old male patient who presented 2 months after sustaining this injury. He was successfully managed by open reduction and reconstruction of the dorsal radioulnar ligament using a partial distally based extensor carpi ulnaris tendon strip. A literature review showed only a few reported cases with varied methods for management. The technique utilised is analysed in comparison to the others. Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic).

Does the Functional Status of the Upper Limb Influence Limb Length Discrepancy in a Child with Birth Brachial Plexus Palsy?

Background: Limb length discrepancy (LLD) is a frequent observation in children with birth brachial plexus palsy (BBPP) and a common concern among parents. A common assumption is that the LLD decreases if the child is using the involved limb more. However, there is no literature evidence for this assumption. The present study was conducted to assess the correlation between the functional status of the involved limb and the LLD in children with BBPP. Methods: One hundred consecutive patients (age > 5 years) with unilateral BBPP seen at our institute underwent measurements of limb lengths to assess the LLD. The arm, forearm and hand segments were measured separately. The functional status of the involved limb was assessed using modified House's Scoring system (Scores 0-10). The correlation between limb length and functional status was assessed using the one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test. Post-hoc analyses were performed as required. Results: A length difference was observed in 98% of the limbs with brachial plexus lesions. The average absolute LLD was 4.6 cm with a standard deviation of 2.5 cm. We found a statistically significant difference in LLD among the patients with a House score of <7 ('Poor function') and 7 and above ('Good function'; p < 0.001) with later indicative of independent use of the involved limb. We found no correlation between age and LLD. More extensive plexus involvement resulted in higher LLD. The maximal relative discrepancy was found in the hand segment of the upper extremity. Conclusions: LLD was seen in most of the patients with BBPP. The functional status of the involved upper limb in BBPP was found to be significantly associated with LLD. Though causation cannot be assumed. We found that children using the involved limb independently tend to have the least LLD. Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic).

Wide-Awake Tenolysis of a Pectoralis Major to Biceps Transfer After Near Total Arm Avulsion Amputation.

Wide-awake surgery is transforming many areas of hand surgery. We report a distinctive case of an avulsion near total amputation of the right dominant arm, which required emergent shaft humerus fracture fixation and brachial artery repair with a vein graft. Three months post-injury, the patient underwent long segment nerve grafts of the median and ulnar nerves, with pectoralis major to biceps transfer for elbow flexion reconstruction. Since the patient failed to gain any functional movement of the elbow, we explored the transfer under wide-awake local anaesthesia using lignocaine and adrenaline. Four months after the wide-awake release, the patient had gained 70 degrees elbow flexion against gravity and 110 degrees with gravity eliminated. On the Waikakul scale, the result was categorized as 'Good'. Wide-awake anaesthesia allowed sufficient release of a large muscle transfer in a prior traumatised zone with a satisfactory result.

Significance Chasing in Hand Surgery Literature.

Introduction: Significance chasing occurs when data is manipulated to achieve statistical significance. Evidence for such practice is now well known across scientific disciplines. This study aimed to identify if such a phenomenon exists in Hand Surgery literature. Methods: All p values contained in the articles published in three prominent Hand Surgery journals were analysed. The preponderance of values just under 0.05 was then studied by statistical methods. Results: 3,124 p values were recorded, with 1,320 values <0.05. A statistically significant preponderance of values between 0.04 and 0.05 was noted (Binomial test, p = 0.0441). The 0.05 point was also found to have the greatest deviation from a best fit exponential curve. Conclusions: Significance chasing is possibly existent in Hand Surgery literature as well.

Functional evaluation of early tendon transfer for thumb opposition in median nerve palsy.

BACKGROUND: There is paucity of literature on early tendon transfer in surgical rehabilitation of hands with median nerve injuries. Since the single most important functional deficit in median nerve palsy is the loss of thumb opposition, we evaluated the results of early tendon transfer in restoration of thumb opposition. METHODS: This prospective study involved 10 cases of isolated median nerve paralysis (axonotmesis or neurotmesis) that underwent early tendon transfer for restoration of thumb opposition. A pre- and post-operative evaluation in terms of power and precision grip strength and range of opposition of thumb was done. Median nerve exploration was performed in 4 cases and was supplemented by a tendon transfer for thumb opposition. The extensor indicis proprius (EIP) opponensplasty was performed in nine out of ten cases. In one case where the patient had scarring over the EIP tendon, palmaris longus (PL) opponensplasty was performed. RESULTS: The median age at injury was 29 years (range; 8 years-57 years). Minimum period of follow-up was 6 months. Six patients who underwent EIP transfer had excellent opposition while 3 had good opposition. The patient, in whom PL opponensplasty was done, had an excellent opposition. The median time for return to work was 2.75 months.There was significant improvement in the power grip and all three types of precision grip at 6 months follow-up. The percentage deficit in the affected hand compared to the normal hand was significantly reduced. There was no case of tendon pull out in our study, nor did any of our patients have an extensor lag following EIP transfer. CONCLUSION: Early tendon transfer has a unique role in the management of median nerve palsy hand and we suggest this procedure should be considered in both high and low lesions.

Birth palsy in congenital varicella syndrome: A lesson in anatomy.

While brachial plexus palsy sustained due to birth trauma is well known, congenital palsies are decidedly rare. We report such a case caused by congenital varicella syndrome, with associated congenital Horner's syndrome and heterochromia iridis. The surprising juxtaposition of a classic upper plexus palsy and a Horner's syndrome raises points of interest. Similar reports in literature are reviewed, and the genesis of a very characteristic group of findings is discussed.

Skeletal Fixation in a Mutilated Hand.

Hand fracture fixation in mutilating injuries is characterized by multiple challenges due to possible skeletal disorganization and concomitant severe injury of soft tissue structures. The effects of skeletal disruption are best analyzed as divided into specific locales in the hand: radial, ulnar, proximal, and distal. Functional consequences of injuries in each of these regions are discussed. Although a variety of implants are now in vogue, K-wire fixation has stood the test of time and is especially useful in multiple fracture situations. Segmental bone loss is quite common in such injuries, which can be safely reconstructed in a staged manner.

Complex dorsal dislocation of the distal interphalangeal joint: Perspectives on management.

Distal interphalangeal joint dislocations are only rarely complex and irreducible. We present a case and illustrate our approach to management of this problem. Open reduction is necessary, and preferred approach is volar. It is imperative to identify the injured soft tissue and repair them as is feasible.

Single tendon transfer of the flexor carpi ulnaris for high radial nerve injury.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome after single tendon transfer of the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) to the digital extensors for high radial nerve palsy. METHODS: Records of 10 patients aged 16 to 43 (median, 27) years who underwent single tendon transfer of the FCU to the digital extensors for high radial nerve palsy secondary to closed (n=4) or open (n=4) diaphyseal humeral fractures or deltoid injection (n=2) were reviewed. Two of the patients with open fractures also underwent treatment for non-union in a staged manner. Grip strength (power grip and precision grip) was measured monthly using an automated dynamometer. The range of motion of the wrist, and metacarpophalangeal joints of the thumb and fingers was measured monthly using a goniometer. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for at least one year. Preoperatively, the overall power grip strength of the injured hands was about 1/5 of the normal hands. At 12 months, the mean improvement was 202.5% for overall power grip strength and 43% to 57% for precision grip strength parameters. Compared with the normal hands, the mean deficit of the operated hands was 39% for overall power grip strength and 32% to 37% for precision grip strength parameters. At 12 months, mean wrist extension was 50.4º, with about 10º lag in finger and thumb extension. The mean total active motion was 86.7º in the operated wrists and 128.1º in normal wrists. The decrease in wrist flexion and ulnar deviation was 7.8º and 6.8º, respectively. CONCLUSION: Single tendon transfer of the FCU is a viable option to restore hand function and strength following high radial nerve injuries.