Publications by authors named "Michael E Rettig"

The ulnar nerve has a long and often misunderstood history with eponym usage. We describe the history of eponym usage in the anatomy of the ulnar nerve-who, when, what, where, and how. The relevant anatomy is investigated from proximal to distal, from the Arcade of Struthers to Osborne's band, to forearm ulnar nerve to median nerve connections, to Guyon's canal.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) continues to rise in popularity as a treatment option for carpal tunnel syndrome. Numerous variations in technique and instrumentation currently exist, broadly classified into two-portal and single-portal techniques with antegrade and retrograde designs. ECTR is equally effective as open carpal tunnel release for alleviating symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome with no differences in long-term outcomes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The Essex-Lopresti injury is caused by a high energy mechanism and consists of a characteristic triad: a comminuted radial head fracture, disruption of the distal radioulnar joint, and tearing of the interosseous membrane. These injuries are often difficult to diagnosis on initial evaluation, and the majority are missed acutely. Chronic Essex-Lopresti injuries lead to radioulnar longitudinal instability, proximal radius migration, ulnocarpal impaction, and chronic elbow pain.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A Stener lesion is a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) from the thumb proximal phalanx at the level of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint that is displaced superficial to the adductor pollicis aponeurosis, leading to interposition of the aponeurosis between the UCL and the MCP joint. The interposition of the adductor aponeurosis distinguishes the Stener lesion from other UCL injuries and impedes healing, thereby necessitating surgery. A thorough clinical examination, including valgus stress testing of the MCP joint, is crucial to the diagnosis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Context: Major League Baseball (MLB) players are at risk of hook of hamate fractures. There is a paucity of data assessing the effect of a hook of hamate fracture on MLB players' future athletic performance.

Objective: To determine if MLB players who sustain hook of hamate fractures demonstrate decreased performance upon return to competition when compared with their performance before injury and that of their control-matched peers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Galeazzi fracture dislocations are fractures of the distal one-third of the radial diaphysis with traumatic disruption of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). This injury results in subluxation or dislocation of the ulnar head. We present a case of a Galeazzi fracture with a volar dislocation of the DRUJ.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Distal radius fractures are among the most commonly encountered fractures in the extremities. Volar plating of distal radius fracture has gained popularity in recent years with the introduction of the locked plating system. Complications of volar plating include extensor and flexor tendon rupture.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Avulsions of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon may involve tendon retraction into the palm and fractures of the distal phalanx. Although various repair techniques have been described, none has emerged as superior to others. Review of the literature does provide evidence-based premises for treatment: multi-strand repairs perform better, gapping may be seen with pullout suture-dorsal button repairs, and failure because of bone pullout remains a concern with suture anchor methods.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Optimal acute management of the highly comminuted distal ulna head/neck fracture sustained in conjunction with an unstable distal radius fracture requiring operative fixation is not well established. The purpose of the present study was to determine the clinical, radiographic, and functional outcomes following acute primary distal ulna resection for comminuted distal ulna fractures performed in conjunction with the operative fixation of unstable distal radius fractures. Between 2000 and 2007, 11 consecutive patients, mean age 62 years (range, 30-75) were treated for concomitant closed, comminuted, unstable fractures of the distal radius and ulna metaphysis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Osteoarthritis of the basal joint of the thumb is common, particularly in postmenopausal females, and can cause considerable pain and disability. Incompetence of the volar beak ligament is thought to be the inciting event that eventually leads to joint degeneration in a predictable pattern. The clinical history and examination can reliably lead to the diagnosis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The wrist is the most commonly involved joint in the upper extremity of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Up to 75% of patients will develop wrist problems during the course of the disease. Cartilage degeneration and synovitis cause the typical skeletal erosions, ligamentous laxity, deformity, and tendon problems seen in the disease.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Scaphoid fractures are a common injury in young, active populations. Non-displaced fractures have a high union rate if promptly treated with cast immobilization. Displaced fractures and proximal pole fractures are best treated with operative fixation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF