The Journal of hand surgery
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The simple, percutaneous placement of a smooth pin into the head of the proximal phalanx creates an extension block, which prevents subluxation of the middle phalanx and allows early active flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joint. Three case reports involving this new treatment are presented along with a detailed description of the technique.
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to determine cross-sectional areas and volumes of carpal canals and carpal canal contents in five cadaver specimens in an assessment of the reliability of MRI for establishing contents/canal ratios. Volumes of the carpal canals and their contents were accurately calculated from MRI with a previously described correction factor (0.8161) for carpal tunnel volumes and a calculated correction factor (1.078) for carpal tunnel contents volume. ⋯ Cross-sectional area contents/canal ratios were significantly higher (p = 0.0001) at the level of the distal aspect of the hook of the hamate (0.54) as compared with those at the level of the distal radial styloid (0.42) and proximal metacarpals (0.44). MRI provides an effective and reliable means of determining contents/canal ratios from both cross-sectional area and volume calculations.