The Transverse Sigmoid Notch Morphology Unravelled.

Several studies have described pathology in relation to transverse sigmoid notch morphology, using the Tolat transverse sigmoid notch classification. It is believed that the entire shape of a sigmoid notch can be described using Tolat sigmoid types. We hypothesised that the determination of the sigmoid notch shape (SNS) depends on the level of the transverse CT plane on the axial axis of the distal radius.

Round table discussion. Distal radioulnar joint instability after surgical treatment of distal radial fractures.

Distal radioulnar joint instability is commonly seen after surgical fixation of a distal radial fracture, and surgeons' ability to reliably determine stability on examination is poor. Debate remains regarding whether to fix the ulnar styloid or reinsert the triangular fibrocartilaginous complex. Four surgeons with Level 5 expertise were asked to respond to questions surrounding this debate.

Computer assisted surgical anatomy mapping (CASAM) of the distal Posterior Interosseous Nerve (PIN) and its relation to the wrist arthroscopy portals: A cadaver study.

Introduction: The distal Posterior Interosseous Nerve (PIN) plays an important part in the sensory innervation of the wrist joint. Introduction of the arthroscopy portals during wrist arthroscopy might injure the PIN. The anatomic variation in the trajectory of the PIN and the proximity to the dorsal arthroscopy portals have not yet been fully explored.

Non- or minimally displaced distal radius fractures in adult patients < 50 years of age : Three weeks of cast immobilisation versus one week of brace immobilisation: study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Background: Currently, non- or minimally displaced distal radius fractures are treated by 3 to 5 weeks of cast immobilisation. Many patients with a distal radius fracture suffer from long-term functional restrictions, which might be related to stiffness due to cast immobilisation. Current literature indicates that 1 week of immobilisation might be safe; however, no level 1 evidence is available.

Redisplacement of reduced distal radius fractures in adults: does the type of casting play a role? The CAST study, a multicentre cluster randomized controlled trial.

Aims: It is not clear which type of casting provides the best initial treatment in adults with a distal radial fracture. Given that between 32% and 64% of adequately reduced fractures redisplace during immobilization in a cast, preventing redisplacement and a disabling malunion or secondary surgery is an aim of treatment. In this study, we investigated whether circumferential casting leads to fewer the redisplacement of fewer fractures and better one-year outcomes compared with plaster splinting.

Anatomical distribution and treatment of paediatric hand fractures: a multi-centre study of 749 patients in the Netherlands.

II.

The Kappa Paradox Explained.

Observer reliability studies for fracture classification systems evaluate agreement using Cohen's κ and absolute agreement as outcome measures. Cohen's κ is a chance-corrected measure of agreement and can range between 0 (no agreement) and 1 (perfect agreement). Absolute agreement is the percentage of times observers agree on the matter they have to rate.

Anterior locking plate fixation versus cast immobilization for acceptably reduced extra- articular distal radial fractures: long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.

This study reports the long-term results of a randomized controlled trial comparing anterior locking plate fixation with cast immobilization for extra-articular distal radial fractures. After 5.3 years of follow-up, no clinically relevant functional differences were found.

Masquelet Procedure for the Treatment of Intra-articular Defects of the Wrist.

 The purpose of this case series is to show our experiences with the Masquelet procedure in a variety of infected defects of the wrist.  All consecutive patients that were treated between 2015 and 2021 were included in this case series. Five patients were included with an infected defect of the wrist, involving the radiocarpal and/or the distal radioulnar joints (DRUJ).

Nonoperatively Treated Proximal Humerus Fractures: Randomized Trial of Immediate Versus Delayed Initiation of Exercises.

Objectives: There is debate about when to start exercises in the nonoperative treatment of a proximal humerus fracture. This randomized trial compared immediate and one-month delayed shoulder exercises in the nonoperative treatment of fractures of the proximal humerus.

Methods: Twenty-six patients with a fracture of the proximal humerus who chose nonoperative treatment were randomized to start pendulum exercises within a few days and 24 were randomized to delayed exercises and started with active self-assisted stretching 1 month after fracture.

[Lacertus syndrome, an unknown and underestimated diagnosis].

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is well-known. Less familiar are proximal median nerve entrapments such as the lacertus syndrome. Lacertus syndrome symptoms are very similar to CTS, but often unknowledged.

Patient outcomes before and after implementation of a selective pre-hospital spinal immobilization protocol: A comparative cohort pilot study in a level 2 trauma center.

Background: A new selective preventive spinal immobilization (PSI) protocol was introduced in the Netherlands. This may have led to an increase in non-immobilized spinal fractures (NISFs) and consequently adverse patient outcomes.

Aim: A pilot study was conducted to describe the adverse patient outcomes in NISF of the PSI protocol change and assess the feasibility of a larger effect study.

Four weeks versus six weeks of immobilization in a cast following closed reduction for displaced distal radial fractures in adult patients: a multicentre randomized controlled trial.

Aims: There is no level I evidence dealing with the optimal period of immobilization for patients with a displaced distal radial fracture following closed reduction. A shorter period might lead to a better functional outcome due to less stiffness and pain. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this period could be safely reduced from six to four weeks.

Concomitant ligament injuries can be left untreated during surgery of distal radial fractures.

Instability of the distal radioulnar joint and scapholunate dissociation may cause pain, functional impairment and subsequent arthrosis. There is no consensus about whether these injuries should be treated acutely in patients undergoing surgery for distal radial fractures. We conducted a prospective cohort study to determine whether concomitant distal radioulnar joint instability or scapholunate dissociation negatively influence patient-related outcomes in these patients.

The Current Role of Arthroscopy in Traumatic Wrist Injuries: An Expert Survey.

 Wrist arthroscopy has become increasingly popular for diagnosing and treating traumatic wrist injuries. How wrist arthroscopy has influenced the daily practice of wrist surgeons remains unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of wrist arthroscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic wrist injuries among members of the International Wrist Arthroscopy Society (IWAS).

Does Revision Carpal Tunnel Release Result in Long-Term Outcomes Equivalent to Single Carpal Tunnel Release? A Matched Case-Control Analysis.

Background: The aims of this study were to evaluate long-term patient-reported outcomes after revision carpal tunnel release (CTR); compare these outcomes with those of patients who had a single CTR and a comparable age, sex, race, type of initial surgery, and follow-up time; and assess which factors are associated with worse patient-reported outcomes after revision CTR.

Methods: The authors retrospectively identified 7351 patients who had a single CTR and 113 patients who had a revision CTR for carpal tunnel syndrome between January of 2002 and December of 2015 at five academic urban hospitals. Of these 113 revision CTR cases, 37 patients completed a follow-up questionnaire including the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), the Numerical Rating Scale for Pain Intensity, and satisfaction score.

Outcome of functional treatment with a Lucerne Cast in patients with hand fractures: a retrospective case series.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical outcome of patients treated with a functional Lucerne Cast (LuCa) for different types of hand fractures. Static casting has traditionally been the preferred treatment for hand fractures. However, functional casting may lead to good functional outcomes, less stiffness, and earlier return to work.

Bone visualization of the cervical spine with deep learning-based synthetic CT compared to conventional CT: A single-center noninferiority study on image quality.

Purpose: To investigate whether the image quality of a specific deep learning-based synthetic CT (sCT) of the cervical spine is noninferior to conventional CT.

Method: Paired MRI and CT data were collected from 25 consecutive participants (≥ 50 years) with cervical radiculopathy. The MRI exam included a T1-weighted multiple gradient echo sequence for sCT reconstruction.

[Arthroscopy of the wrist].

Arthroscopy of the wrist has gained popularity among hand and wrist surgeons for diagnosing and treating wrist pathologies. In general, it is a minimally-invasive procedure which can be performed in day care surgery. It has a higher diagnostic accuracy compared to conventional imaging modalities such as CT or MRI.

Assessment of cervical spine CT scans by emergency physicians: A comparative diagnostic accuracy study in a non-clinical setting.

Objectives: To determine and compare the diagnostic accuracy of assessing injuries on cervical spine computed tomography (CT) scans by trained emergency physicians and radiologists, both in a non-clinical setting.

Methods: In this comparative diagnostic accuracy study, 411 cervical spine CT scans, of which 120 contained injuries (fractures and/or dislocations), were divided into 8 subsets. Eight emergency physicians received focused training and assessed 1 subset each before and after training.