Suture Suspensionplasty Compared With Ligament Reconstruction and Tendon Interposition for Surgical Treatment of Thumb Carpometacarpal Arthritis.

Purpose: Thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis is the most common arthritis of the hand, with most studies demonstrating little difference in outcomes between various surgical treatment techniques. However, trapeziectomy, followed by ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI), remains the technique of choice among hand surgeons in the United States. In 2009, suture suspensionplasty (SS) was first described as a less invasive alternative to LRTI.

Diabetes Increases Median Nerve Cross-Sectional Area but Not Disease Severity in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Background: Ultrasonography (US) is a useful diagnostic modality for diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Diabetes mellitus is increasingly prevalent and is a risk factor for CTS. Given the increasing use of US in the diagnosis of CTS, our goal was to evaluate the influence of diabetes on CTS severity and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve in patients with CTS.

Patients Prefer Ultrasound to Nerve Conduction Studies for the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Background: The net promoter score (NPS) allows analysis of patient satisfaction and preference between treatment and/or diagnostic testing. Electrodiagnostic testing (EDX) and ultrasound (US) are commonly used diagnostic tests for carpal tunnel syndrome. Although EDX is reliable for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), it can be uncomfortable and inconvenient for patients.

Ultrasound Cross-Sectional Area of the Median Nerve Is Not a Predictor of Patient Reported Outcomes After Carpal Tunnel Release.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between cross sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve on ultrasound (US) with pre- and postoperative Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) scores. We hypothesize that there is a positive correlation between CSA and the ΔBCTQ after carpal tunnel release (CTR).

Methods: This was a single center study.

Repeat Irrigation and Debridement of Upper Extremity Infections: Do Repeat Cultures Change Antibiotic Treatment Regimens?

Background: Organism identification and their antibiotic sensitivity profile are critical for the successful treatment of upper extremity infections. Although many infections resolve with antibiotics alone, some require 1 or more surgical procedures in which culture data are obtained. The purpose of this study was to determine whether repeat cultures taken at subsequent irrigation and debridement of upper extremity infections changed antibiotic treatment.