Technique for Insertion of the Conventus Cage for Distal Radial Fracture Fixation.

Introduction: Use of the intramedullary Conventus DRS Cage and fragment-specific screw fixation of distal radial fractures minimizes soft-tissue trauma, leading to earlier and improved wrist and finger motion while reducing traditional complications seen with internal fixation of distal radial fractures.

Step 1 Reduce The Fracture: Reduce the fracture with closed or, if necessary, open methods to achieve anatomic restoration of articular congruity, radial inclination, radial length, volar tilt, and coronal shift.

Step 2 Provisionally Stabilize The Fracture: Provisionally stabilize the reduced fracture for insertion of the cage and fragment-specific screws with either longitudinal finger-trap traction or longitudinal Kirschner wires.

Case report of long-term results of biaxial and volz total wrist arthroplasty.

The purpose of this case report was to look at the long-term (average 17.8 years) results of total wrist arthroplasty. Of the 12 wrists (9 patients) available for evaluation, 7 wrists still had the arthroplasty in place whereas 5 wrists had been revised to an arthrodesis.

Effect of pisiform excision or pisotriquetral arthrodesis as a treatment for pisotriquetral arthritis: a biomechanical study.

Purpose: To determine whether flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) forces and tendon displacements change after pisotriquetral arthrodesis or after pisiform excision.

Methods: Nine cadaver wrists were moved through 4 variations of a dart throw motion, each having an oblique plane of motion, but with different ranges of motion and different antagonistic forces. The FCU tendon force and movement were measured in the intact wrist, following pisotriquetral arthrodesis, and following pisiform excision.

A retrospective multicenter study of the Artelon® carpometacarpal joint implant.

Background: This study aims to evaluate patient outcomes associated with use of the Artelon® Spacer for the treatment of arthritis of the carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) of the thumb.

Methods: Patients with Eaton stage I, II, or III carpometacarpal (CMC) joint arthritis and disabling pain that had failed conservative treatment were evaluated at 12, 36, and 48 months postsurgery for changes in pinch, patient satisfaction, pain, range of motion, grip strength, grind test, operative time, and X-ray evidence of subsidence.

Results: Complete data was available for 46 subjects and 49 thumbs.

Morphology of the cubital tunnel: an anatomical and biomechanical study with implications for treatment of ulnar nerve compression.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the cubital tunnel and to outline specific anatomical parameters of the cubital tunnel retinaculum (CuTR) that might aid in the management of ulnar nerve problems. The hypotheses of this study are (1) that the nerve elongates with elbow flexion and (2) that the cross-sectional area of the cubital tunnel is inversely proportional to the degree of elbow flexion.

Methods: Eleven fresh-frozen cadaver arms were dissected at the medial elbow.

Wrist tendon forces during various dynamic wrist motions.

Purpose: A common treatment of arthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal joint requires all or a portion of the flexor carpi radialis tendon (FCR) to be used as an interpositional graft. The purpose of this study was to examine the in vitro tendon forces in 6 wrist flexors and extensors to determine whether their force contribution changes during various dynamic wrist motions along with a specific application to the FCR.

Methods: We tested 62 fresh-frozen cadaver wrists in a wrist joint motion simulator.

Core decompression of the distal radius for the treatment of Kienböck's disease: a biomechanical study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical effect of core decompression of the distal radius for the treatment of Kienböck's disease.

Methods: In 7 fresh cadaver upper extremities, axial loads were applied and the pressure in the radiocarpal joint measured using pressure-sensitive film before and after core decompression of the distal radius.

Results: Biomechanically, the stiffness of the distal forearm statistically decreased significantly from 229.

Use of a headless compressive screw for distal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis in digits: clinical outcome and review of complications.

Purpose: Arthrodesis of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) or thumb interphalangeal joints can be necessary to treat pain, deformity, or instability associated with arthritis. Compression and rigid fixation are thought to influence fusion rates and time to union favorably. The purpose of the study was to review the clinical outcome and complications associated with the use of a fully threaded headless compression screw for DIPJ arthrodesis.

Arthroscopic resection of arthrosis of the proximal hamate: a clinical and biomechanical study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to present a series of patients with arthrosis of the proximal hamate treated by arthroscopic resection. To further investigate this condition a biomechanical study also was undertaken to document the effect this proximal hamate resection has on carpal loading.

Methods: Between 1991 and 2001 there were 23 patients who had arthroscopic proximal hamate resection for the treatment of proximal hamate arthrosis.

Unusual complication of an opposition tendon transfer at the wrist: ulnar nerve compression syndrome.

Restoration of thumb opposition by tendon transfer may be necessary in cases of severe thenar atrophy caused by long-standing carpal tunnel syndrome. Routing the extensor indicis proprius transfer subcutaneously around the ulna to reanimate thumb opposition is an accepted procedure and is considered safe. Ulnar nerve compression leading to palsy is possible, however, as shown in the patient presented.