An Approach to Surgery for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome A Pilot Series.

BACKGROUND: Cubital tunnel syndrome and the resulting loss of hand dexterity and strength may necessitate surgical management. Studies have demonstrated no difference in outcome between surgical techniques. In an attempt to leave more ulnar nerves in situ while providing for stability within the cubital tunnel, we suggest a surgical treatment approach. METHODS: The approach addresses individual anatomy methodically, eliminating muscular obstruction first and providing further decompression and stability as required. A retrospective review of 27 adult patients with ulnar neu- ropathy treated according to this method was performed. RESULTS: The mean duration of symptoms prior to surgery was 2.75 years (SD = 2.4). The mean follow-up was 17.1 months (SD = 16.9). All patients improved following surgery. Two revision surgeries were performed 4 years following the original surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We believe the nerve recovers best when left in situ, provided it is stable and not compressed within the cubital tunnel. A further comparison study is necessary to substantiate the advantage of this "personalized" approach over other surgical techniques for cubital tunnel release.

The Influence of Hand Dominance in Wrist Fracture Post-Operative Functional Evaluation.

Sensorimotor testing is used to measure outcomes in surgery, to document results of treatment and rehabilitation, and to compare results between surgeons, therapists, and institutions. When performing sensorimotor testing, failure to address dominant side differences may cause a bias in evaluation of outcomes. This study evaluated the effect of hand dominance on outcomes testing performed on patients following surgery for distal radius fractures (DRF). We hypothesized that the injured dominant hand will perform differently than the injured non-dominant hand. This is a retrospective study of patients following DRF treated surgically and evaluated in therapy. The patients were evaluated at fixed intervals: initially, at 6 weeks, and at 3 months post-surgery. Testing included grip strength, monofilaments, static and moving 2-point discrimination, Moberg testing, and stereognosis. Sixty patients included 46 (76.6%) females. Age averaged 62.1 (standard deviation: 16.9) years, and 54 were right-handed (90%). There were differences between dominant and non-dominant hand injury in 2 of 9 tests of sensibility for each time period, including little finger monofilament and Moberg testing initially, and moving 2-point discrimination in the little finger, monofilament testing of the thumb at 3 months. Both groups improved between initial and 3-month evaluation without differences in amount of improvement. Despite some significant differences in the applied tests between dominant and non-dominant injured hands, our results do not support correction for hand-dominance when using the described examinations in evaluating outcomes following DRF surgery.

Les tests sensorimoteurs sont utilisés pour mesurer les résultats des opérations, pour établir les résultats des traitements et de la réadaptation et pour comparer les résultats entre les chirurgiens, les thérapeutes et les établissements. Pendant ces tests, le fait de ne pas évaluer les différences du côté dominant peut provoquer un biais dans l'évaluation des résultats. La présente étude évaluait l'effet de la dominance de la main sur les résultats des tests effectués chez des patients après l'opération d'une fracture du radius distal (FDR). Les chercheurs ont postulé que le fonctionnement de la main dominante blessée différerait de celui de la main non-dominante blessée. La présente étude rétrospective portait sur des patients après l'opération d'une FDR et sur leur évaluation en thérapie. Les patients ont été évalués à des intervalles précis : au départ, six semaines après l'opération et trois mois après l'opération. Les tests incluaient la force de préhension, le test aux monofilaments, la discrimination spatiale statique et mobile, le test de Möberg et la stimulation stéréognostique. Les 60 patients, incluant 46 femmes (76,6 %), avaient un âge moyen de 62,1 ans (écart-type de 16,9), et 54 étaient droitiers (90 %). Il y avait des différences entre la blessure de la main dominante et non-dominante dans deux des neuf tests de sensibilité pour chaque période, y compris le test des monofilaments et le test de Möberg de l'auriculaire pour commencer, et la discrimination spatiale mobile de l'auriculaire et le test des monofilaments du pouce à trois mois. L'état des deux groupes s'est amélioré entre l'évaluation initiale et celle au bout de trois mois, sans différences quant à l'importance de l'amélioration. Malgré certaines différences significatives des tests effectués entre les mains dominante et non-dominante, les résultats ne soutiennent pas la correction compte tenu de la main dominante au moment d'utiliser les examens décrits pour évaluer les résultats cliniques après une opération découlant d'une FDR.

The Effect of Age on Fracture Healing Time in Metacarpal Fractures.

Background: Older patients are treated for fracture with increasing frequency. Although studies on animals suggest that older mice and rats heal fractures more slowly, the clinical implications remain unclear. A better understanding of differences in healing with age can help customize fracture treatment. Our purpose was to retrospectively evaluate metacarpal fractures for healing time looking specifically at age-related differences. Methods: A retrospective review of patients treated for metacarpal fractures was conducted. Patients with incomplete charts or inadequate follow-up were excluded. One hundred ninety-eight charts were analyzed. Demographic and other patient factors were documented. Fracture characteristics and treatment type were documented. Fracture healing was determined clinically. Plain radiographs and examination were used in decision making. Results: Age was not associated with fracture healing time as a continuous variable (P = .09). Patients above 75 years were not associated with increased healing time (P = .58). Fracture characteristics were related to healing time: minimally displaced and comminuted fractures healed faster than oblique fractures, spiral fractures, or transverse fractures (P = .048). Patients undergoing surgery healed faster than those without surgery (P = .046). Renal failure negatively affected fracture healing time (P = .03). Diabetes, hypothyroidism, and gender were not associated with healing time. Complications were not associated with age or other patient or fracture-related factors. Conclusions: Age does not affect clinical fracture healing time in adult. Therefore, older patients do not require disparate treatment. Other fracture-related factors and considerations such as functional demand and support systems might influence treatment decisions in fracture care.

Ten-Year Minimum Follow-Up of 4-Corner Fusion for SLAC and SNAC Wrist.

BACKGROUND: Scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) of the wrist is the most common degenerative condition of the wrist. Four-corner fusion (4CF) is performed as salvage surgery, though there is limited information on its long-term results. We hypothesized that 4CF is a durable surgery with good clinical long-term function. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing 4CF as well as an interview and recent radiographs were obtained. Patients with a follow-up period of less than 10 years were excluded. Long-term evaluation included standard wrist radiographs, wrist range of motion, and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire. Radiographs were evaluated and described by the Kellgren-Lawrence classification. RESULTS: Four hundred eighty-nine wrists underwent a 4CF for SLAC wrist from 1982 to 2003. Twelve patients (15 wrists) were available for follow-up. Average age at surgery was 49.1 years (range, 25-67 years). Average follow-up postsurgery was 18 years (11-27). Scapholunate advanced collapse was the etiology in 13 wrists and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse in 2 wrists. Average extension/flexion arc was 68.6° (0°-96°), and radial/ulnar deviation arc was 32.9° (0°-5°). QuickDASH scores averaged 7.8 (range, 0-32.5), with only 1 score above 16. Seventy-three percent of radiographs showed minimal to moderate joint destruction, and 27% showed severe joint destruction. CONCLUSIONS: Scaphoid excision and 4CF remains a reliable procedure for patients with advanced wrist arthritis. Functional results were good at long-term follow-up despite radiographic changes in the radiolunate joint in 73% of patients. Patient satisfaction was high, and functional impairment was low.

Motor Examination in the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

The relative importance and use of motor evaluation to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is not clear. Because the ulnar nerve is not affected in CTS, we evaluated comparing the strength of the median-nerve innervated muscles to the ulnar innervated muscles in the same patient, through manual muscle testing (MMT) and a handheld dynamometer. Our purpose was to evaluate whether this method, which takes into account patient-dependent factors that would affect both groups of muscles equally, can provide better assessment of CTS. A retrospective case-control review of MMT and dynamometer-measured strength for CTS was performed. The study was performed retrospectively but prior to surgery or other treatment. There were 28 cases (CTS) and 14 controls (without CTS). Positive nerve conduction tests defined cases. MMT of the thenar musculature was found to be unreliable as a test for CTS. Comparisons to ulnar nerve innervated muscle strength did not improve sensitivity or specificity of the MMT examination. Use of the dynamometer improved sensitivity and specificity of motor testing in CTS over MMT. Motor evaluation is important for the diagnosis of CTS, but further study is warranted, specifically to define the method of motor evaluation and delineate the subgroup of patients (predominantly thenar motor presentation) that would benefit most from motor testing and motor-focused treatment.

A minimal wrist arthroplasty for early wrist osteoarthritis.

Background The most common forms of salvage surgery for wrist arthritis of any stage are four corner fusion and proximal row carpectomy. Younger, high demand patients with early arthritis may not be candidates for this type of salvage surgery. We describe a technique and preliminary case series of a minimal radiocarpal arthroplasty aimed at patients with initial and isolated wrist arthritis (stage 1). This procedure does not preclude any procedure that may become necessary in the future. Patients A series of nineteen male heavy laborers with scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC grade 1-2) wrist osteoarthritis that felt the wrist arthritis was prohibiting their function enough to warrant surgery, but were unwilling to undergo a salvage procedure, were treated with the technique. The average age was 57.2 (± 7.7) years. The average follow up period was 40.3 months (9-63 months). All patients returned to heavy labor. No revision surgery was needed within the follow up period. Range of motion (ROM) and grip strength did not significantly improve. Patient satisfaction was high despite imperfect results. Conclusions Minimal arthroplasty as described may provide a temporary solution for active patients with symptomatic early wrist arthritis who are not candidates for salvage wrist surgery. Longer -term follow up as well as investigation of additional stabilization procedures is necessary.

Progression of surgical scars in the hand and wrist over time: a peak in scar-related symptoms.

We have noted a peak in induration and tenderness around scars with accompanying symptoms 6-8 weeks after most hand operations. The purpose of this study was to characterise this phenomenon. All consecutive patients treated for fractures of the distal radius through a volar scar were prospectively enrolled. Exclusion criteria included: previous injuries of that wrist, no volar scar, open fractures with considerable soft tissue injury, or injuries to the nerve or vessel, or all three. Patients were evaluated every other week for three months after the operation for the following: tightness, the Vancouver scale, oedema, and range of movement in the wrist. Non-linear mixed effects models were used for analysis. Eighteen patients were evaluated. The primary outcomes included a reduction in pliability from 2.1 (0.6) to 0.9 (0.5), and subjective tightness that decreased from 3.6 (1.8) to 1.5 (2.6). Both pliability and subjective tightness showed a parabolic pattern over time, with a peak at 5.10 (95% confidence interval (CI) 4.36 to 5.84) weeks and 4.12 (2.19 to 6.05) weeks, respectively. Mean (SD) active extension increased from 22.5 (11.4)(o) at 2 weeks to 45.5 (13.4)(o) at 12 weeks. Flexion increased from 19.1 (10.2)(o) to 33.0 (14.7)(o). Oedema decreased from 19.4 (2.1) to 17.3 (1.3) cm. The Vancouver scale decreased from 6.0 (1.9) to 3.4 (1.9), and these variables showed a consistent pattern of change over time. Our results support the existence of a peak in scar symptoms, illustrated by a reduction in pliability and an increase in subjective tightness about 4-5 weeks after the operation. Anticipating this healing pattern can aid in tailoring postoperative management of the scar.

Long-term durability of tendon arthroplasty with excision of the trapezium in stage 1 osteoarthritis of the thumb CMC joint.

Basal joint arthritis of the thumb is commonly treated surgically. Although the results are good, there is still controversy regarding the treatment of young people with low radiographic stages of disease. Our purpose was to evaluate the durability of a tendon arthroplasty procedure in this population. Thirty patients aged 55 years or under, with early stage arthritis, were evaluated. Eight patients were available for long-term (average 86 months) follow-up. No deterioration in the strength and mobility of the operated thumbs in the long-term was found. There was a significant increase in tip pinch strength between short- and long-term follow-up evaluations. This study supports the durability of this surgery in younger patients, potentially reducing the need for multiple surgeries.

Surgical technique for the treatment of radial wrist pain.

Chronic radial wrist pain with no radiographic evidence of scapholunate instability or other wrist disease can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Our purpose was to evaluate the results of an operation to treat chronic radial or periscaphoid wrist pain that has failed to respond to conservative treatment. We examined the scapholunate ligament and performed a dorsal capsulodesis. One hundred-and-two patients were reviewed retrospectively. Casenotes were available for 88 patients. Function, pain, range of movement (ROM), and grip and pinch strengths were evaluated. Twenty (23%) of the patients were found to have a scapholunate ligament tear of 0-30%, 55 (61%) had a tear of 30%-60%, and 14 (16%) had a tear of 60%-100%. Mean postoperative grip strength was 29.5 kg (80% of the normal side). Postoperative range of movement was significantly limited in flexion compared with the normal side. All patients returned to their previous employment. Seventy (80%) of the patients described improvement in pain and function. Twenty-two (25%) required further operation on the same wrist. This procedure may be indicated in patients with chronic radial wrist pain and no overt instability that is resistant to conservative treatment. It has minimal morbidity and gives good results.

Use of quantitative abductor pollicis brevis strength testing in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome remains clinical, despite many objective clinical and electrophysiologic tests. There is also a need to objectively assess the severity of involvement and the need for surgery, and to document response to treatment. The authors evaluated a hand-held strength-testing device for assessment of abductor pollicis brevis strength in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: Sixty-two hands in 50 patients (39 women and 11 men) aged 26 to 57 years were examined. All hands were evaluated before and 6 weeks after surgery. Nineteen hands were available for 7-year follow-up. RESULTS: Abductor pollicis brevis strength following carpal tunnel release increased significantly from a mean of 2.3 kg to 3.1 kg. The strength further increased in all long-term follow-up patients. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative strength testing can be used to document changes in abductor pollicis brevis strength in response to treatment in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Further study is needed to assess the reliability of this testing method using multiple examiners in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, and to evaluate the utility of using this device in tracking the long-term outcome of patients after carpal tunnel release.

Evaluating short-term pain after steroid injection.

Steroids are injected into joints for various indications. All steroid preparations relieve pain similarly over the long term. Therefore, decisions about which preparation to use are often arbitrary. We evaluated methylprednisolone acetate and a combination of betamethasone diproprionate and betamethasone sodium phosphate for short-term pain and the predictive value of short-term pain. Eighty-five patients were injected in prospective double-blind randomized fashion. Pain was evaluated by visual analog scale (1 = no pain, 10 = severe pain) at baseline, 3 days, and 3 weeks. No patient had joint pain immediately after injection. Three days after injection, mean (SD) pain levels were 5.1 (2.9) for methylprednisolone and 5.2 (2.6) for betamethasone (P = .97); 3 weeks after injection, they were 4.0 (2.8) and 3.7 (2.5), respectively (P = .57). Short-term pain increased from baseline for both preparations and decreased from 3 days to 3 weeks. Pain at 3 days and 3 weeks was positively correlated. This study does not support a difference in short-term pain between preparations. The significant correlation between short- and long-term pain may justify early decisions regarding treatment, especially in patients with high levels of initial pain.

Range of movement in the wrist as a diagnostic tool in radial-sided wrist pain.

Kienböck disease is diagnosed by imaging studies, and is often difficult to diagnose in its early stages. Our clinical impression is that wrist movement is more limited in Kienböck disease than when radial-sided wrist pain is caused by other conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the use of wrist movement in differentiating between early Kienböck disease and radial-sided sprained wrist. We retrospectively reviewed 62 cases of Kienböck disease and 49 patients with radial-sided wrist sprain. Wrist movement at presentation was recorded. The two groups differed significantly in flexion and extension (p<0.001). The ability of movement of the affected wrist relative to the normal side to distinguish between the groups was excellent (AUC = 0.96, 0.97, respectively). The ability of wrist movement measurements to differentiate between early Kienböck disease and radial-sided wrist sprain emphasises that wrist movement should be measured prior to invasive or expensive testing.

A technique for the repair of chronic volar plate avulsion of the proximal interphalangeal joint: a review of 54 cases.

BACKGROUND: The authors delineate a subgroup of proximal interphalangeal joint injuries with chronic pain and limitation of movement, despite a stable joint, and describe and evaluate a surgical procedure. METHODS: Through a volar approach, the volar plate is freed from scar but remains connected on either the ulnar or radial border. A new connection to the middle phalanx is established by creating a bony groove, and the volar plate is loosely attached distally. Fifty-four joints with chronic volar plate avulsion injuries of the proximal interphalangeal joint were evaluated. All patients had chronic pain and limitation of motion and function in a stable and congruent joint. Patients were examined at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year after surgery. Range of motion, grip strength, and pain were evaluated. The average time to surgery was 10.5 +/- 11.8 months (range, 2 to 65.4 months). The mean postoperative follow-up period was 10.0 +/- 12.8 months (range, 3 to 73.5 months). RESULTS: All patients had an improved range of motion following surgery. The difference from the preoperative range of motion was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). None of the patients reported pain on rest after surgery, and five patients reported activity pain. The mean grip strength was 32.4 +/- 13.4 kg for hand that had been operated on and 41.0 +/- 14 kg for the hand that had not been operated on. CONCLUSIONS: This technique for repair of chronic volar plate avulsion injuries allows early motion and results in significant improvement in range of motion, pain, and overall function in this subgroup of patients.

A radiographic view of the scaphotrapezium-trapezoid joint.

Traditionally the scaphotrapezium-trapezoid joint is imaged through a posteroanterior view of the wrist. We describe an x-ray view that is aimed directly at the joint, which gives better visualization than the standard views.