Outcomes in Patients with Bilateral Distal Radius Fractures.

 Fractures of the distal radius that occur bilaterally are comparatively uncommon, with the incidence of these injuries and patient outcomes following different modes of treatment being unknown.  This article evaluates the demographics, management, and functional outcomes of patients that sustain bilateral distal radius fractures (DRFs).  We retrospectively identified 85 patients that sustained bilateral DRF and were treated at a single institution from 2016 to 2019.

Evaluating the Source and Content of Internet Information Regarding DeQuervain's Tenosynovitis.

Introduction Patients are increasingly relying on the internet for information about their medical diagnoses, but there is little regulation on the content of these websites. The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of the informational content available on the internet regarding DeQuervain's tenosynovitis.  Methods The search phrasing "'DeQuervain' OR 'DeQuervain's' OR 'Radial styloid tenosynovitis' OR 'DeQuervain's synovitis' OR 'Wrist tendonitis'" was entered into the five most commonly used search engines, and the first 50 universal resource locators (URLs) were recorded, including sponsored sites.

Distal Radius Fracture Therapy Utilization Following Traditional Open Reduction and Internal Fixation and Dorsal Bridge Plate Fixation.

Background Many distal radius fractures are treated with a volar locking plate, but a minority undergo dorsal bridge plate fixation. This study's primary purpose was to compare therapy utilization following distal radius fractures treated with traditional open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) versus dorsal bridge plate fixation. Secondary outcomes were time to first and last therapy visits and therapy costs.

A Nine-Year Follow-Up of Stage II Preiser's Disease Treated With a Temporary Dorsal Wrist-Spanning Plate: A Case Report.

Preiser's disease, also known as avascular necrosis of the scaphoid, is a rare condition that is incompletely understood in regard to pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. There have been numerous case reports and case series evaluating a variety of conservative and operative interventions, but optimal treatment has not been well established. We describe the case of a 20-year-old female with stage II Preiser's disease that was managed with a vascularized bone graft from the 1,2 intercompartmental supraretinacular artery, in addition to temporary dorsal wrist-spanning bridge plate fixation.

Abnormal Patterns of Biceps and Triceps Co-Contraction Following Elbow Surgery May Result in Elbow Stiffness.

Objectives: This study examines the pattern of muscular contraction and the intensity of this contraction of the biceps and triceps following elbow surgery.

Methods: We performed a prospective electromyographic study of 16 patients undergoing 19 surgical procedures on the elbow joint. We measured the resting EMG signal intensity of the biceps and triceps of the operated and the normal sides at 90 degrees.

Pickleball- and Paddleball-Related Injuries to the Upper Extremity.

Introduction While pickleball and paddleball are rapidly growing as popular sports in the United States, research on the incidence of hand and upper extremity injuries and treatments in outpatient clinics are lacking. This study evaluates the incidence rates and treatment options, both surgically and nonsurgically, for patients presenting with pickleball/paddleball-related injuries. Methods A retrospective database search of our multispecialty, multilocation electronic medical record (EMR) system from 2015 to 2022 identified 204 patients with outpatient pickleball- and paddleball-related injuries.

All-Inside Versus Outside-in Repair of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Peripheral Tears.

Purpose: Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) peripheral tears with persistent wrist pain can be treated with arthroscopic surgical repair owing to vascularization of the peripheral region. The safety and efficacy of all-inside repair has been shown in prior case series. The purpose of this study was to compare two methods of arthroscopic peripheral TFCC repair: all-inside vertical mattress and outside-in horizontal mattress.

A Prospective Evaluation of the Prevalence of Persistent Median Artery in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Background: The median artery is an embryonic structure that typically regresses during gestation. Occasionally, the artery remains and is then termed a persistent median artery (PMA). A PMA can be associated with other anatomic anomalies, and has been known to contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Tramadol Versus Codeine in Hand Surgery.

Introduction Tramadol and codeine are both commonly prescribed in the setting of surgery or injury to the upper extremity. Despite their comparable strength in terms of opioid receptor affinity, the drugs differ pharmacologically and thus are not completely interchangeable. Methods This study analyzes all prescriptions for codeine and tramadol by a group of hand surgeons over a one-year period and tests the central hypothesis that the prescribing and refill patterns of these two drugs would be similar.

Do Postoperative Telehealth Visits Require a High Rate of Redundant In-Person Evaluation After Upper Extremity Surgery?

Background Telehealth platforms may save resources for patients and providers, but the precise impact of their incorporation during the postoperative period is not well understood. The goal of this study is to determine whether telehealth incorporation in the postoperative period leads to an overall increase in healthcare utilization after upper extremity surgery. Methodology Patients seen for a postoperative telehealth visit after upper extremity surgery were randomly selected and retrospectively enrolled.

Post-operative Opioid, Benzodiazepine and Sedative Usage in Medicare versus Commercial Insurance Hand Surgery Patients.

Background: Opioid usage has increased in recent years. The purpose of this study is to assess post-operative opioid, sedative, and benzodiazepine usage in a Medicare population.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing elbow, wrist, and hand surgery by hand surgeons at one academic outpatient surgical center were prospectively enrolled.

A Prospective Evaluation of Postoperative Readmissions After Outpatient Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery.

Introduction Hand and upper extremity surgeries are largely performed in free-standing ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Rates of unexpected hospitalizations or visits to the urgent care or emergency departments in the month following hand and upper extremity surgery have been widely varied in the literature. We prospectively followed patients after hand and upper extremity outpatient surgery to determine the rate of unplanned health care utilization with the hypothesis that hospital admissions, emergency room visits, and urgent care center visits would be higher than the rates currently reported by retrospective studies.

Telehealth for Upper Extremity Conditions: Perceptions of the Patient and Provider.

The recent coronavirus pandemic has prompted providers to adopt telehealth as a way to maintain contact with their patients on an unprecedented scale. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perception of care for both patients and physicians using telehealth visits for the management of upper extremity orthopaedic conditions. This study consisted of the analysis of surveys sent to both physicians and patients immediately after the completion of a telehealth visit for an upper extremity condition.

Predictive Factors for Return to Driving following Volar Plate Fixation of Distal Radius Fracture.

 A common query by patients undergoing distal radius fracture (DRF) repair is when (s)he can resume driving postoperatively. A prospective cohort analysis was performed to assess fracture and patient factors on a patient's self-reported ability to return to driving to better inform patients and surgeons.  Consecutive patients undergoing DRF repair with locking volar plate were enrolled.

Radiographic Incidence and Functional Outcomes of Distal Radius Fractures Undergoing Volar Plate Fixation With Concomitant Scapholunate Widening: A Prospective Analysis.

Scapholunate (SL) ligament injuries can occur concomitantly with distal radius fractures (DRFs), and the management of acute SL injury in the setting of DRFs remains controversial. The purpose of the study is to identify the radiographic incidence of SL widening in DRF treated with volar plate fixation and to determine the functional outcomes of DRF with concomitant radiographic SL-widening. One hundred and seventeen patients with DRFs, with and without radiographic SL-widening, and treated with volar locked plating, were prospectively enrolled.

Splinting after Distal Radius Fracture Fixation: A Prospective Cohort Analysis of Postoperative Plaster Splint versus Soft Dressing.

 The effect of postoperative dressing and splinting after distal radius fracture (DRF) open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) is not well understood. A prospective cohort analysis was performed to assess differences in functional and radiographic outcomes with the use of plaster splinting or soft dressing following DRF ORIF.  All patients undergoing DRF ORIF with locking volar plates were consecutively enrolled.

A Prospective Evaluation of Complications after Use of Exposed Pins in the Hand and Wrist.

Background: Kirschner wires are commonly used during hand surgical procedures. These pins are often left exposed (protruding from the skin) for ease of removal. Complications such as loosening, migration, or infection are not uncommon (ranging from 7 to 18 percent in current retrospective studies) and can compromise surgical outcome.

Outcomes of Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Bilateral Fractures of the Distal Radius.

Bilateral distal radius fracture (DRF) is an uncommon injury. We described the outcomes of 10 consecutive cases of bilateral DRF treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) at our institution. We retrospectively searched our electronic medical records data for all patients 18 years of age or older treated surgically for bilateral DRF over a 6-year period (2011-2016).

An Evaluation of Digital Imaging Studies in an Outpatient Orthopedic Setting.

Background: Distribution of radiographic images in the outpatient setting on compact discs-recordable (CD-R) is commonplace. Opening, manipulating and interpreting these can be challenging. This study evaluated the availability and ease of use of CD-R to evaluate digital images in an outpatient orthopedic setting.

Complications of Volar Plating of Distal Radius Fractures: A Systematic Review.

 In recent years, there has been an increased utilization of volar locking plate fixation of distal radius fractures (DRFs). However, reported long-term complication rates with this technique remain unclear.  The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the pooled incidence of complications associated with volar locking plating of DRF.

Complications in the Management of Distal Radius Fractures: How Do We Avoid them?

Purpose Of This Review: Distal radius fractures are one of the most common fractures in the upper extremity. The purpose of this review is to outline common complications that may arise when caring for distal radius fractures and to describe the treatment strategies when faced with such complications.

Recent Findings: Tendon complications are not uncommon after distal radius fractures.

Patient Satisfaction in the Preoperative Period: Preparing for Hand Surgery.

The potential impact of the number and type of preoperative encounters on satisfaction rates prior to elective surgical procedures is unclear, specifically scheduling and medical clearance encounters. Questionnaires investigating satisfaction with the preoperative process were collected for 200 patients presenting for elective hand surgery. The number of telephone, surgeon, and medical clearance encounters were recorded, and satisfaction was determined for each type based on a 4-category Likert scale.