Enabling the design of surgical instruments for under-resourced patients through metal additive manufacturing: ulnar shortening osteotomy as an example.

Background: Ulnar shortening osteotomy (USO) has demonstrated good outcomes for patients with ulnar impaction syndrome. To minimize complications such as non-union, precise osteotomy and firm fixation are warranted. Despite various ulnar shortening systems have been developed, current technology does not meet all needs.

Arthroscopic debridement, synovectomy, and thermal shrinkage for basal joint arthritis.

Background: Ligamentous laxity, cartilage wear, and diffuse synovitis are frequently seen in thumb basal joint arthritis. Although these degenerative changes may be mild for the majority, they have the potential to cause discomfort during movement and compromised hand function. This study assesses the long-term outcomes of arthroscopic debridement, synovectomy, and thermal shrinkage in managing early-stage basal joint arthritis.

Comparing the Outcomes of Suture Anchor Repair and Rein-Type Capsular Suture for Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Foveal Tears With a Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up.

Purpose: Recent biomechanical studies have highlighted the importance of foveal reinsertion when repairing triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury with foveal tears. However, clinical studies comparing different repair techniques are scarce. We compared the clinical outcomes of suture anchor repair and rein-type capsular suture in patients with TFCC palmer 1B foveal tears with a minimum of 2-year follow-up.

Outcomes of radiocarpal pinning to facilitate nerve repair in wrist-level ulnar nerve injuries with defect.

Background: The ideal scenario for ulnar nerve repair is primary end-to-end neurorrhaphy in a tension-free environment. However, this could be complicated by soft tissue loss, scarring, and neuroma formation in a delayed injury, creating a nerve defect. With a wrist-level nerve defect, a flexion position can help shorten the nerve gap; however, maintaining the position can be challenging intraoperatively and postoperatively.

Dual Parallel Intramedullary K-Wires for Arthrodesis of the Finger Distal or Thumb Interphalangeal Joints.

Objective: K-wire arthrodesis methods are commonly used during arthrodesis of the finger distal interphalangeal (DIP) or thumb interphalangeal (IP) joints. Here we propose an advantageous approach involving dual parallel intramedullary K-wires with the K-wire tips cut to bury underneath the skin.

Methods: From January 2017 to December 2021, 35 patients (43 joints) underwent finger DIP or thumb IP joint arthrodesis using this method.

Innovative Approach to Unicondylar Proximal Phalangeal Fracture Fixation: Combining Antegrade Intramedullary Pinning With Flexion Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Transfixation.

Various surgical techniques have been described for the fixation of displaced unicondylar fractures of the proximal phalanx, with K-wire and interfragmentary screws being the most commonly used. Although open reduction with joint exposure can provide direct visualization and allow for anatomic reduction, its potential drawbacks, such as joint stiffness and loss of range of motion, are of significant concern. We introduced a novel fixation technique for displaced unicondylar fractures of the proximal phalanx using antegrade intramedullary pinning and transfixation of the proximal interphalangeal joint, which is simple, effective, and does not require open reduction.

Outcomes of Percutaneous Pinning for Interfragmentary Fixation in Treating Bennett Fractures With Tiny Avulsion Fragments.

For Bennett fractures with tiny avulsion fragments, healing may be jeopardized owing to limited fracture contact surface if displacement of reduced fracture junctions occurs. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of treating Bennett fractures with tiny avulsion fragments using percutaneous small-diameter K-wires for tiny fragment fixation and thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint transfixation. From 2011 to 2019, we retrospectively enrolled patients with Gedda type 3 Bennett fractures who underwent operation with K-wire percutaneous pinning for the tiny fragment and CMC joint.

Lateral Approach for Scaphoid Excision and Capitolunate Arthrodesis in the Treatment of Scapholunate Advanced Collapse and Scaphoid Nonunion Advanced Collapse Wrists: A Case Series.

Objective: The dorsal approach is commonly used in open wrist arthrodesis. However, the extensor compartments and the dorsal wrist capsule need to be opened. We propose and evaluate a lateral approach using a small incision over the scaphoid anatomical snuffbox, which could be more straightforward for performing scaphoid excision and capitolunate arthrodesis in the treatment of scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC).

Radial distraction may reduce the incidence of ulnar-sided wrist pain in ulna-plus morphology intraoperatively following distal radius fractures fixation.

Introduction: Fixed-angle plate fixation can be an effective treatment for distal radius fractures (DRFs). However, patients with existing ulnar positive variance might be at risk of developing symptoms of ulnar-sided wrist pain (USWP). Ulnar shortening osteotomy (USO) is one of the main treatment options for USWP.

Radius distraction during volar plating of distal radius fractures may improve distal radioulnar joint stability at minimum 3-year follow-up: a retrospective case series study.

Background: The surgical technique of radius distraction for stabilization of distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) if intraoperative DRUJ instability was found after the fixation of distal radius fracture has been previously described, but this surgical technique lacks clinical and radiographic effect in minimal 3 years follow-up. We therefore evaluated the clinical outcome and radiographic results of radius distraction in minimal 3 years follow-up as long-term evaluation.

Methods: We reviewed the case series of distal radius fracture with concomitant DRUJ instability receiving radius distraction from the senior author over a 5-year period (January 1, 2013, to June 30, 2017) retrospectively.

Arthroscopic-assisted radiocarpal ligaments tensioning for dynamic radiocarpal instability.

Background: Dynamic radiocarpal instability is one of the causes of post-trauma radial-sided wrist pain. It is not easy to diagnose and may possibly be overlooked. The key ligaments responsible for dynamic radiocarpal instability are the radioscaphocapitate (RSC) and long radiolunate (LRL) ligaments.

Influential factors of surgical decompression for ulnar nerve neuropathy in Guyon's canal.

Background: Guyon's canal syndrome is nerve compressive pathology which can lead to sensory and/or motor function deficits. This problem is usually difficult to distinguish from cubital tunnel syndrome and relatively less common than cubital tunnel syndrome. This study evaluated the functional results and patient-reported outcomes following decompression of the ulnar nerve in Guyon's canal.

Tendon repair with intercalated partial extensor carpi radialis longus tendon graft for chronic extensor pollicis longus tendon rupture.

Background: The main treatment choices for chronic extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon rupture consists of tendon transfer and tendon repair with tendon graft. Tendon transfer with extensor indicis proprius (EIP) is currently considered the gold standard treatment which yields predictable and satisfactory results, but potentially compromises the strength of independent extension of the index finger. We propose our method of using a partial extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) tendon graft to repair chronic EPL tendon tears.

Long-term radiographic outcomes and functional evaluation of ulnar shortening osteotomy in patients with ulnar impaction syndrome and reverse oblique sigmoid notch: a retrospective case series study.

Background: Ulnar shortening osteotomy (USO) is an effective treatment for ulnar impaction syndrome. However, there have been reports of osteoarthritis (OA) at the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) when USO was performed on patients with a reverse oblique sigmoid notch. This study aimed to evaluate the radiographic and functional outcomes following USO in patients with a reverse oblique sigmoid notch.

Fixation of fifth metacarpal neck fractures: a comparison of medial locking plates with intramedullary K-wires.

Surgical treatment for metacarpal neck fractures may be indicated for malrotation, palmar angulation exceeding 30° or metacarpal shortening exceeding 3 mm, although these thresholds have not been firmly established. In a retrospective study, we compared the clinical and radiographic results of 54 patients with displaced fifth metacarpal neck fractures who were treated with either medial locking plates (14 patients) or retrograde intramedullary K-wires (40 patients). At a mean follow-up of 26 months (range 12 to 62), metacarpal shortening and angulation were 2 mm greater and 4° greater, respectively, in the K-wire group.