Hand surgery : an international journal devoted to hand and upper limb surgery and related research : journal of the Asia-Pacific Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand
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Case Reports
Non-union of isolated radial neck fracture using a bone graft and temporary K-wire fixation: a case report.
Non-union of radial neck fractures is not common in adults, and surgical treatment is rarely required. This case report documents non-union of the radial neck with persistent pain around the elbow joint and tenderness over the neck of the radius, limited range of motion for 12 months. The authors performed an iliac bone graft and temporary K-wire fixation for non-union of the radial neck after an isolated radial neck fracture. ⋯ If elbow joint pain, tenderness, and limitation of range of motion are present in non-union of radial neck fracture, surgical treatment is necessary. If there is no injury to the ligament around the elbow or instability, the authors consider bone graft and temporary K-wire fixation as an excellent treatment option for bony union and early exercise of the joint.
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Comparative Study
Improved patient awareness and satisfaction using procedure specific consent forms in carpal tunnel decompression surgery.
Carpal tunnel decompression (CTD) is a common procedure amenable to procedure specific consent forms (PSCFs). These may help better inform patients and so increase patient satisfaction with the consent process. We assessed the use of a PSCF for CTD. ⋯ After standard pre-operative consent, patients were interviewed prior to surgery and assessed for their awareness of complications and alternative treatment options. The patients who received a PSCF showed greater awareness of different complications and alternative treatments and reported greater satisfaction with the consent process. We conclude that using PSCFs is a very useful and inexpensive adjunct to improve patient awareness and satisfaction with the consent process.
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Case Reports
Extensor pollicis longus tendon ruptures after the use of volar locking plates for distal radius fractures.
Currently, volar locking plates are commonly used to treat distal radius fractures (DRF) because of their stable biomechanical construct and because they cause less soft tissue disturbance and allow early mobilisation of the wrist. Complications such as rupture of tendons have been reported to occur with use of volar locking plates. We describe six cases of rupture of extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendons after the use of volar locking plates. ⋯ These were considered iatrogenic problems. The cause of EPL rupture was unknown in three cases. We should be extremely careful when determining optimum screw length and reducing displaced dorsal roof fragments to prevent damaging the EPL tendons.
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The aim of the study was to assess how adequately distal radial fracture reduction was reproduced and maintained with the distal volar radius anatomic DVR-A (Biomet, Inc) locking plate. ⋯ The DVR-A plate achieved a highly satisfactory reduction of radial length and radial inclination, with a small loss of volar sagittal tilt at final follow-up. A good functional outcome was reported, with a satisfactory range of motion achieved. The DVR-A plate is a safe and effective treatment for unstable and intra-articular displaced distal radius fractures, particularly in younger patients, in the short term.
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A linear constricting scar around the wrist in the presence of a discharging sinus raises clinical suspicion of a forgotten band around the wrist. A 3-year-old girl presented with an encircling scar, swelling and discharging sinus over the right wrist since last three months. There were no trophic ulcers and gross sensations were intact. ⋯ MRI aids in establishing diagnosis preoperatively. The reparative potential of a child's tissues is amazing. Although the lesion heals well after extraction of encircling band, the clinician should be wary of residual neurological changes.