Sensitivity, Specificity, and Reliability of the CTS-6 for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Administered by Medical Assistants.

Purpose: The CTS-6 can be used clinically to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and has demonstrated high levels of interrater reliability when administered by nonexpert clinicians. Our purpose was to assess sensitivity (Sn), specificity (Sp), and interrater reliability of the CTS-6 when administered by medical assistants (MAs).

Methods: A series of patients presenting to an academic, upper-extremity surgery clinic were screened using CTS-6 between May and June of 2023.

A Comparison of Amyloid Deposition in Endoscopic and Open Carpal Tunnel Release.

Purpose: Previous investigations assessing the incidence of amyloidosis detected with biopsy during carpal tunnel release (CTR) have focused on open CTR (OCTR). Prior authors have suggested that biopsy may be more technically challenging during endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR). Our purpose was to compare differences in the incidence of amyloid deposition detected during ECTR versus OCTR.

Statistical Literacy in Hand and Upper-Extremity Patients.

Purpose: Statistical literacy is the ability of a patient to apply basic statistical concepts to their health care. Understanding statistics is a critical component of shared decision making. The purpose of this investigation was to define levels of statistical literacy in an upper-extremity (UE) patient population.

The Effect of an Intraoperative Real-Time Counter on Radiation Exposure Events During Operative Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures.

Purpose: Occupational radiation exposure can have adverse health consequences for surgeons. The purpose of this study was to determine if utilization of an intraoperative, real-time radiograph counter results in decreased radiation exposure events (REEs) during open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of distal radius fractures (DRFs).

Methods: We reviewed all cases of isolated ORIF DRFs performed at a single center from January 2021 to February 2023.

Reliability and Validity of the Hook Test for Diagnosis of Distal Biceps Tendon Ruptures.

Purpose: Although the initial description of the distal biceps tendon (DBT) hook test (HT) reported 100% sensitivity (Sn) and specificity (Sp), subsequent retrospective series have demonstrated imperfect validity. The purpose of this investigation was to prospectively assess the validity and reliability of the HT for complete DBT ruptures. We aimed to determine the Sn/Sp and interrater reliability for the HT.

Prevalence of Amyloid Deposition in Patients Undergoing Surgical Repair of Traumatic Distal Biceps Tendon Ruptures.

Purpose: As many as one-third of patients with heart failure secondary to systemic, wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis have an associated distal biceps tendon (DBT) rupture. Our purpose was to identify the prevalence of amyloid deposition in patients undergoing operative repair of acute traumatic DBT ruptures.

Methods: In this prospective investigation, a consecutive series of patients who underwent repair of an acute traumatic DBT rupture underwent a tendon biopsy to assess for amyloid deposition.

Controversies in the Management of Bicolumnar Fractures of the Distal Humerus.

Bicolumnar fractures of the distal humerus pose numerous treatment challenges for upper-extremity surgeons. Although open reduction and internal fixation demonstrates advantages compared with nonsurgical treatment, restoration of osseous anatomy can be difficult, particularly for comminuted, intra-articular fractures. Despite well-recognized complications, total elbow arthroplasty remains an option for elderly patients with fractures not amenable to fixation.

Report on the Evidence-Based Practice Committee's Survey on Dupuytren Disease.

Purpose: The Evidence-Based Practice Committee of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) set out to assess the membership's practice patterns (PPs) and knowledge of evidence-based principles for Dupuytren disease (DD).

Methods: A 21-item multiple-choice survey was distributed to all ASSH members via email in June 2020. Questions were divided into 2 types: evidence-based practice (EBP) and PPs.

The Effects of Botulinum Toxin A on Pain in Ischemic Vasospasm.

Purpose: The purpose was to describe the impact of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) administration in patients with ischemic vasospasm on the magnitude and timing of pain relief and subsequent effect on opioid use. The secondary purposes were to determine the role of photoplethysomgraph (PPG) testing on treatment decisions, effect on patient-reported outcomes, and additional procedures.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who received BTX-A injections was performed.

Comparison of Radiographic and Intraoperative Visual Assessment of Scaphotrapezoid Joint Arthritis in Patients With End-Stage Carpometacarpal Arthritis of the Thumb Base.

The purpose of this investigation is to compare the radiographic and intraoperative assessment of scaphotrapezoid (ST) joint arthritis in patients with end-stage carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis of the thumb base. We aim to define the incidence of ST arthritis in this population and determine whether radiographic features such as lunate morphology, dorsal intercalated segment instability (DISI), and scapholunate (SL) diastasis are associated with the incidence of ST arthritis. We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with end-stage CMC arthritis of the thumb treated operatively with trapeziectomy.

The Use of Residual Collagenase for Single Digits With Multiple-Joint Dupuytren Contractures.

Purpose: Standard 0.58 mg (0.25 mL) collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) preparations result in unused CCH that is often discarded.