Patient injury claims involving fractures of the distal radius.

Background and purpose - Optimal treatment for distal radius fractures remains controversial, with a significant number of fractures resulting in complications and long-term morbidity. We investigated patient injury claims related to distal radius fractures to detect the critical steps in the treatment leading to avoidable adverse events Patients and methods - We analyzed all compensated patient injury claims in Finland between 2007 and 2011. Claims were collected from the Patient Insurance Center's (PIC) nationwide claim register.

Entrapment of the proximal sciatic nerve by the hamstring tendons.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of operative treatment of entrapment of the sciatic nerve by tight fibrous structures associated with the hamstring tendons close to their proximal insertion. We retrospectively evaluated the results of 22 operations performed in 16 patients (6 bilateral operations), on average six years postoperatively. There was complete relief in 11 cases, good relief in 8 cases and fair relief in 3 cases.

MRI follow-up after free tendon graft reconstruction of the thumb ulnar collateral ligament.

Objective: Our aim was to analyse whether MRI is useful in the follow-up of reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb, to describe normal postoperative findings, and to evaluate different MR sequences.

Material And Methods: Our study material consists of 10 patients who, because of a chronic rupture of the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb, had been operatively treated using a free tendon graft. The patients were, in addition to the clinical examination and radiographs, also imaged using MRI both pre- and postoperatively.

Operative treatment of distal radius fractures.

The incidence of distal radius fractures is increasing together with the average age of population. Intra-articular incongruity is the most probable cause of unsatisfactory outcome of distal radius fractures in younger and more active patients. Thus, the main goal in the treatment of distal radius fractures should be restoration of articular congruence.

Ultrasound guidance for puncture and injection in the radiocarpal joint.

Background: The use of intra-articular contrast agent has been shown to increase the diagnostic accuracy of wrist magnetic resonance (MR) in patients with suspected trauma of the wrist ligaments. Traditionally, the contrast agent has been applied under fluoroscopic guidance.

Purpose: To present a method based on ultrasound guidance for the injection of intra-articular contrast agent in wrist MR.