The Pitfalls of Difficult Distal Radius Fractures and Provisional Reduction.

Distal radius fractures are some of the most common injuries encountered in orthopedics and require careful consideration when determining the appropriate treatment options. These fractures can be difficult injuries to treat surgically based on a large variability of fracture patterns, bone quality, and anatomy. It is important to understand the potential pitfalls associated with the treatment of difficult distal radius fractures to prevent avoidable complications.

Sagittal Band Injury and Extensor Tendon Realignment.

The sagittal bands are structurally important, aiding in the central alignment of the extensor tendons over the heads of each metacarpal. They resist the deviation of the tendon with flexion of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. Injury to the sagittal band can cause the extensor tendon to lose its alignment leading to pain, tendon subluxation, or dislocation.

Common Complications of Distal Radial Fractures.

Distal radial fractures are associated with good outcomes; however, although they occur at low rates, complications can significantly impair treatment success. Therefore, the treating surgeon should be aware of potential complications associated with each treatment type and how to best prevent them. Although certain patient-specific and fracture-specific factors may increase the risk of adverse outcomes, most are nonmodifiable risk factors at the time of presentation, so it is imperative that every effort is made to mitigate these risk factors to prevent long-term morbidity.

Hot Topics in Hand and Wrist Surgery.

The field of hand surgery continues to evolve in new and exciting directions. Advances in diagnosis and management for common complaints and complex injuries allow higher-level care, while still being cognizant of the cost of health care delivery. Indications and protocols for past paradigm shifts, such as volar locked plating for distal radial fractures, continue to be honed, and the outcomes seen for modern flexor tendon repairs are impressive.

Polydactyly of the Foot: A Review.

Pediatric foot polydactyly presents in a wide variety of deformities from single extra digits attached only by a narrow soft-tissue connection to complex central foot duplications with tarsal bone duplication. The goal of surgical reconstruction is a stable, mobile, pain-free foot with five cosmetically appealing toes that allows for normal footwear and painless ambulation. This review covers the incidence, genetics and embryology, classification, presentation and natural history, physical examination, radiographic assessment, and surgical intervention for all types of foot polydactyly.