Radially Based Extensor Retinacular Sling Reconstruction for Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Subsheath Injuries.

Purpose: Extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) subsheath injuries result in ulnar-sided wrist pain and often present concurrently with intrinsic ECU pathology and ulnocarpal compartment injuries. There is a lack of surgical outcome data despite the variety of described ECU subsheath pathologies and reconstructive strategies. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our hand-center experience of 33 patients who prospectively underwent radially based extensor retinacular sling ECU subsheath reconstruction by 4 hand surgery-fellowship-trained surgeons between April 2010 and April 2021. Preoperative clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings, along with intraoperative findings, were cataloged. Statistical analysis was conducted via a 2-tailed paired t test. Results: The median age at the time of surgery was 44 years (range, 18-63 years). Twenty (60.6%) patients underwent reconstruction on their dominant wrist. The median time between symptom onset and surgery was 6.5 months (range, 4 days-16.1 years). Eight (18%) patients were collegiate-level or professional athletes. Ten (30.3%) patients had frank ECU snapping on the preoperative examination with no recurrence or apprehension on the postoperative examination. All 33 patients underwent a preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Fifteen (45.4%) patients had intrinsic ECU tendinopathy, 19 (57.6%) patients had ECU tenosynovitis, 18 (54.5%) patients had triangular fibrocartilage complex tears, 20 (60.6%) patients had ulnocarpal synovitis, and 2 (6.1%) patients had lunotriquetral interosseous ligament tears. The mean postoperative pain on a visual analog scale was 0.39 ± 0.55. Grip strength, wrist flexion-extension, and pronosupination arcs (P < .05) showed excellent recovery after surgery. The mean time to unrestricted return to sports was 97.3 ± 19.7 days for the athletes in this study. There were no major complications. Conclusions: Radially based extensor retinacular sling ECU subsheath reconstruction resulted in satisfactory improvements in range of motion and grip strength. Although the mean improvements in these parameters were statistically significant, the clinical significance of these postoperative improvements remains to be defined. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV.

Radially Based Extensor Retinacular Sling Reconstruction for Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Subsheath Injuries in Elite Athletes.

BACKGROUND: Extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) subsheath injuries are an increasingly recognized cause of ulnar-sided wrist pain in elite athletes. There is a lack of surgical outcome data in elite athletes, and unique considerations exist for these patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of our hand center experience of 14 elite professional or collegiate athletes who prospectively underwent radially based extensor retinacular sling ECU subsheath reconstruction by 3 hand surgery-fellowship-trained surgeons between April 2011 and April 2021. Clinical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and intraoperative findings were cataloged. Subgroup analyses of elite hockey players and acute subsheath injuries were also conducted. Statistical analysis was performed via a 2-tailed paired t test. RESULTS: Mean age at the time of surgery was 21.3 years (range, 18-34). Mean time from symptom onset to surgery was 102.1 ± 110.7 days. All 14 patients underwent preoperative MRI. Five patients (35.7%) had intrinsic ECU tendinopathy, 9 patients (64.3%) had ECU tenosynovitis, 6 patients (42.9%) had triangular fibrocartilage complex tears, and 9 patients (64.3%) had ulnocarpal synovitis. Mean postoperative pain on a Visual Analog Scale was 0.25 ± 0.43. Grip strength (P = .001), wrist flexion-extension (P = .037), and pronosupination arcs (P = .093) showed excellent recovery postoperatively. Mean time to unrestricted return to sports was 92.5 ± 21.0 days. There were no complications. Subgroup analyses found similar functional improvement and characterized injury patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our findings suggest surgical management of ECU subsheath injuries is a viable option in both acute and chronic settings in elite athletes and may be favorable compared with nonoperative management.

Excision of Hook of Hamate Fractures in Elite Baseball Players: Surgical Technique and Return to Play.

Background: Hook of hamate fractures are relatively common in baseball players, but the proper diagnosis and surgical technique can be challenging. Outcomes after surgical excision, as well as optimal surgical technique, in elite baseball players have not been clearly established. Hypothesis: Excision of hook of hamate fractures with a technique tailored to elite professional and collegiate baseball players will lead to high rates of return to play within a short time. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: We reviewed the cases of 42 elite athletes who underwent surgical excision of 42 hook of hamate fractures at a single academic hand surgery practice from 2006 to 2020. The athletes competed at the professional (n = 20) or varsity collegiate (n = 22) baseball levels and were treated using the same surgical technique tailored toward the elite athlete. The clinical history, timing of surgery, complications, and time to return to play were recorded for each patient. Results: All 42 patients underwent an excision of their hook of hamate fracture at a mean of 7.2 weeks (range, 0.5-52 weeks) from the onset of symptoms. All but one patient were able to return to full preinjury level of baseball participation within 6 weeks from the date of surgery, with a mean return to sport of 5.4 weeks (range, 3-8 weeks). Two patients returned to the operating room-1 for scar tissue formation causing ulnar nerve compression and 1 for residual bone fragment causing pain and ulnar nerve compression. Conclusion: Surgical excision of hook of hamate fractures in elite baseball players showed a very high rate of return to play within 6 weeks. Meticulous adherence to the described surgical technique tailored to athletes optimizes clinical outcomes and avoids complications.

Clinical Outcomes of Limited Open Intramedullary Headless Screw Fixation of Metacarpal Fractures in 91 Consecutive Patients.

Background: The objective of the study is to evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients treated with limited-open retrograde intramedullary headless screw (IMHS) fixation for metacarpal neck and shaft fractures. Methods: Retrospective review of 91 consecutive patients (79 men; 12 women), mean age 28 (range =15-69) years, treated with IMHS fixation for acute displaced metacarpal neck (N = 56) and shaft (N = 35) fractures at a single institution. Mean follow-up was 10 (range = 1-71, median = 3) months. Preoperative mean magnitude of metacarpal neck angulation was 48° (range = 0°-90°), and mean shaft angulation was 42° (range = 0°-70°). Active motion was initiated within 5 days postoperatively. Clinical outcomes were assessed with digital goniometry, grip strength, and return to full activity. The time to radiographic union and radiographic arthrosis was assessed. Results: All 91 patients achieved full functional arc of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) motion, and all achieved full active MCP extension or hyperextension. At mean follow-up of 10 months, postoperative mean MCP joint flexion-extension arc was 88° (range = 55°-110°). Grip strength was available for 52 patients and measured 104.1% of the contralateral hand (range = 58%-230%). Radiographic union data were available for 86 patients. Seventy-six percent (65/86) achieved radiographic union by the end of week 6 (range = 2-10 weeks). Early arthrosis was noted in 1 patient at the MCP. There were 3 cases of shaft refracture after recurrent blunt trauma, following prior evidence of full osseous union. Conclusions: The IMHS fixation is safe, reliable, and durable for metacarpal neck/subcapital, axially stable shaft fractures, and select delayed unions or malunions. It allows for early postoperative motion without affecting union rates and obviates immobilization. This technique offers distinct advantages over formal open reduction and percutaneous Kirschner wire techniques.

Open carpal tunnel release with use of a nasal turbinate speculum.

Incomplete release of the transverse carpal ligament (TCL) and median nerve injury are complications of carpal tunnel release (CTR). In this article, we describe a modified mini-open release using a fine nasal turbinate speculum to aid in the proximal release with direct visualization of the proximal limb of the TCL and the distal volar forearm fascia (DVFF). The technique begins with a 2.5-cm palmar longitudinal incision, and standard distal release of the TCL is completed. A fine nasal turbinate speculum is inserted into the plane above the proximal limb of the TCL and the DVFF. A long-handle scalpel is used to incise the TCL and the DVFF under direct visualization. We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 101 consecutive CTR cases (63 right, 38 left). Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms were relieved in all patients with a high degree of satisfaction. This modified mini-open technique provides surgeons with a reproducible and inexpensive method to ensure a safe proximal release of the TCL.

Collagenase enzymatic fasciotomy for Dupuytren contracture in patients on chronic immunosuppression.

Collagenase enzymatic fasciotomy is an accepted nonsurgical treatment for disabling hand contractures caused by Dupuytren disease. We conducted a study to investigate use of collagenase in an immunosuppressed population. We retrospectively reviewed data from 2 academic hand surgical practices. Eight patients on chronic immunosuppressive therapies were treated with collagenase for digital contractures between 2010 and 2011. Thirteen collagenase enzymatic fasciotomies were performed in these 8 patients. Mean preinjection contracture was 53.0°. At mean follow-up of 6.7 months, mean magnitude of contracture improved to 12.9°. Mean metacarpophalangeal joint contracture improved from 42.0° to 4.2°. Mean proximal interphalangeal joint contracture improved from 65.8° to 21.7°. Three of the enzymatic fasciotomies were complicated by skin tears. There were no infections. As more patients seek nonsurgical treatment for Dupuytren disease, its safety and efficacy in select cohorts of patients should continue to be evaluated prospectively.

Clinical outcomes following collagenase injections compared to fasciectomy in the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of collagenase injections with that of fasciectomy in the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. METHODS: This is a case-control retrospective study. We reviewed the electronic medical records from January 2009 through January 2013, identifying 142 consecutive patients who underwent either fasciectomy or collagenase injection. Exclusion criteria for both groups were age <18 years, pregnant women, and arthroplasty or arthrodesis of the treated joint. Follow-up data beyond 1-year duration was available for 117 of the patients: 44 patients who had undergone fasciectomy, and 73 patients who had received collagenase injection. The primary outcome measure in this study was resolution of joint contracture to 0-5° deficit of full extension. Data was analyzed using two-sample t tests for continuous data and chi-square test for categorical data. A significant P value was set at <0.05. RESULTS: At the latest follow-up, significantly more joints treated with fasciectomy met the primary outcome measure. Metacarpophalangeal (MP) joints responded better than the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints for both treatments. At the latest follow-up (14.2 months for collagenase, 16.3 months for fasciectomy), 46 % of MP joints treated with collagenase and 68 % of MP joints treated with fasciectomy maintained resolution of joint contracture. Sub-analysis of the affected joints based on the severity of initial contracture demonstrated that MP and PIP joints with contractures <45° responded better than more severely contracted joints (>45°). CONCLUSIONS: Fasciectomy yields a greater mean magnitude of correction for digital contractures at the latest follow-up when compared to collagenase. Both treatments were more effective for treatment of MP joint contracture compared to PIP joint contracture. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic.

Clinical outcomes of limited-open retrograde intramedullary headless screw fixation of metacarpal fractures.

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients treated with limited-open retrograde intramedullary headless compression screw (IMHS) fixation for metacarpal neck and shaft fractures. METHODS: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data on a consecutive series of 39 patients (34 men; 5 women), mean age 28 years (range, 16-66 y) treated with IMHS fixation for acute displaced metacarpal neck/subcapital (N = 26) and shaft (N = 13) fractures at a single academic practice between 2010 and 2014. Preoperative magnitude of metacarpal neck angulation averaged 54° (range, 15° to 70°), and shaft angulation averaged 38° (range, 0° to 55°). Patients used a hand-based orthosis until suture removal and began active motion within the first week. Clinical outcomes were assessed with digital goniometry, pad-to-distal palmar crease distance, and grip strength. Time to union and radiographic arthrosis was assessed. Twenty patients reached minimum 3-month follow-up, with a mean of 13 months (range, 3-33 mo). RESULTS: All 20 patients with minimum 3 months of follow-up achieved full composite flexion, and extensor lag resolved by 3-week follow-up. All patients demonstrated full active metacarpophalangeal joint extension or hyperextension. Grip strength measured 105% (range, 58% to 230%) of the contralateral hand. No secondary surgeries were performed. There were 2 cases of shaft re-fracture from blunt trauma following prior evidence of full osseous union with the screw in place. All patients achieved radiographic union by 6 weeks. There was no radiographic arthrosis at latest follow-up. One patient reported occasional clicking with metacarpophalangeal joint motion not requiring further treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Limited open retrograde IMHS fixation proved to be safe and reliable for metacarpal neck/subcapital and axially stable shaft fractures, allowed for early postoperative motion without affecting union rates, and obviated immobilization. This technique offers distinct advantages in select patients. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Headless bone screw fixation for combined volar lunate facet distal radius fracture and capitate fracture: case report.

We report a case of concomitant fractures of the volar lunate facet of the distal radius and capitate body. Surgical fixation was achieved with open reduction internal fixation using headless compression screws for both fractures. Because of the nature of complications seen after both operative and nonsurgical management, these fractures warrant particular attention.

Adductor pollicis jamming injuries in the professional baseball player: 2 case reports.

We characterize a mechanism of injury, injury pattern, and treatment algorithm for adductor pollicis myotendinous injuries in 2 professional baseball players. Similar to myotendinous eccentric injuries in other anatomical areas, the adductor pollicis sustains a sudden forceful eccentric load during a jammed swing, resulting in intramuscular strain or tendon rupture. Based on the reported injury mechanism, and magnetic resonance imaging features of these myotendinous injuries, the thumb of the top hand during a jammed swing was suddenly and forcefully eccentrically abducted from a contracted and adducted position, resulting in injury patterns.

Quantitative 3-dimensional CT analyses of intramedullary headless screw fixation for metacarpal neck fractures.

PURPOSE: Fixation countersunk beneath the articular surface is well accepted for periarticular fractures. Limited open intramedullary headless compression screw (HCS) fixation offers clinical advantages over Kirschner wire and open techniques. We used quantitative 3-dimensional computed tomography to assess the articular starting point, surface area, and subchondral volumes used during HCS fixation of metacarpal neck fractures. METHODS: We simulated retrograde intramedullary insertion of 2.4- and 3.0-mm HCS and 1.1-mm Kirschner wires for metacarpal neck fracture fixation in 3-dimensional models from 16 adults. We used metacarpal head articular surface area (mm(2)) and subchondral volumes (mm(3)) and coronal and sagittal plane arcs of motion, during which we analyzed the center and rim of the articular base of the proximal phalanx engaging the countersunk entry site. RESULTS: Mean metacarpal head surface area mated to the proximal phalangeal base in neutral position was 93 mm(2); through the coronal plane arc (45°) was 129 mm(2), and through the sagittal plane arc (120°) was 265 mm(2). The mean articular surface area used by countersunk HCS threads was 12%, 8%, and 4%, respectively, in each of these arcs. The 1.1-mm Kirschner wire occupied 1.2%, 0.9%, and 0.4%, respectively. Mean metacarpal head volume was 927 mm(3). Mean subchondral volume occupied by the countersunk portion was 4%. The phalangeal base did not overlap the dorsally located countersunk entry site through most of the sagittal plane arc. During coronal plane motion in neutral extension, the center of the base never engaged the dorsally located countersunk entry site. CONCLUSIONS: Metacarpal head surface area and subchondral head volume occupied by HCS were minimal. Articular surface area violation was least during the more clinically relevant sagittal plane arc of motion. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The dorsal articular starting point was in line with the medullary canal and avoided engaging the center of the articular base through most of the sagittal plane arc. Three-dimensional computed tomography data support the use of an articular starting point for these extra-articular fractures.

Scaphoid fracture in the elite athlete.

Scaphoid fracture remains a common, potentially devastating, injury that can impair upper extremity function. Early recognition with proper imaging and treatment provides the best opportunity to heal and return to a normal activity level. Surgical treatment offers the patient a quicker return to the rehabilitation of the extremity and therefore an earlier return to elite play. There is evidence that healing occurs faster if the fractured scaphoid is fixed with internal fixation. Absolute compliance by the athlete and the training program that surrounds the athlete is critical to protect the wrist while maintaining the necessary conditioning of an elite athlete.

Distal biceps tendon tears in women.

HYPOTHESIS: Is the presentation and outcome of surgical treatment of distal biceps tendon tears different in women than men? MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1999 to 2008, 15 cases of distal biceps tendon tears in 13 female patients were treated surgically at a single institution. Mean age was 63 years (range, 48-79 years). A retrospective review evaluated patient presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. Postoperative outcomes were assessed by physical examination, a patient satisfaction survey, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) elbow assessment form, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. RESULTS: Two-thirds of the tears were in the dominant arm, of which 7 resulted from a single injury, and 8 reported insidious onset of symptoms. All patients presented with pain in the antecubital fossa. A distinct cystic mass was palpable in 6. Of the 15 cases, 13 were partially detached, 1 was completely detached, and 1 was weakly attached. Fourteen regained full strength, and all had nearly complete range of motion. Mean follow-up was 46 months (range, 2-117 months). Eleven completed a postoperative patient satisfaction survey, ASES elbow, and DASH questionnaire. Mean scores were 95 (range, 58-100) for ASES and 7 (range, 0-43) for DASH. The only complication was a transient lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve sensory palsy. DISCUSSION: Distal biceps tendon tears in women present at an advanced age with no history of an acute injury. They are frequently associated with a cystic mass and have a predominance of partial tears. CONCLUSIONS: Distal biceps tendon tears in women present differently than in men. The tears are rarely complete and they respond well to surgical repair.