Techniques in hand & upper extremity surgery
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Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg · Sep 2012
Complications of Kirschner-wire fixation in distal radius fractures.
Distal radius and ulna fractures are the most common fractures seen in England, occurring at a rate of 22/10,000 person years. Kirschner (K)-wire fixation is a well-accepted method of treating these fractures. There is a surprising paucity of evidence on the subject of prophylactic antibiotics and the duration of K wires can be left in, as these relate to infection rates. ⋯ These results illustrate a safe and clinically effective protocol for K-wire fixation in treating distal radius fractures. On the basis of this study, we do not advocate the use of prophylactic antibiotics, postulating that they do not affect infection rate and thereby eliminating potential antibiotic adverse effects. Furthermore, we do not bury the K wires, which allows for their removal in clinic, thus preventing risks of further operative procedures.
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Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg · Sep 2012
Comparative StudyAn alternative suspension technique after trapeziectomy for advanced thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint is often treated by (partial) trapeziectomy and tendon interposition or suspension arthroplasty procedures. In this article, an alternative suspension technique, using 2 osseous tunnels (through the first and second metacarpal) and a flexor carpi radialis tendon strip, is described.
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Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg · Sep 2012
Nail hooks and elastic bands external dynamic traction for fractures of the proximal interphalangeal joint.
Intra-articular fractures of the proximal interphalangeal joint remain a treatment challenge for hand specialists. The purpose of this investigation was to review the results of 12 patients, 6 men and 6 women (average age, 21 y), who were treated using the nail hooks and elastic bands external dynamic traction technique for their intra-articular proximal interphalangeal joint fractures. Of the total 12 fractures, 6 involved the proximal phalanx and 6 involved the middle phalanx. ⋯ All patients were able to return to their preinjury level of functioning. Nail hooks and elastic bands external dynamic traction provides an effective treatment for intra-articular proximal interphalangeal joint fractures. It is an inexpensive, easily applied, nonoperative method of treatment.
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Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg · Sep 2012
Arthroscopic "cuff-sparing" percutaneous (CUSP) technique for posterior instability repair in the beach-chair position.
Arthroscopic posterior labral repair and capsular shift procedures are technically difficult in the beach-chair position as compared with the lateral decubitus position. Optimal visualization in the beach-chair position, and anchor placement in the posterior glenoid rim, necessitate various lateral trans-cuff portals, and these may result in damage to the rotator cuff tendons. ⋯ Technical variants of the procedure include: (1) a "CUSP shift" technique (combined labral repair and capsular shift); (2) a "CUSP-stitch" technique (isolated labral repair without a capsular shift); and (3) a "posterior labroplasty" technique for reconstruction of deficient posterior labral tissue. Technical tips to avoid neurological injury, and a detailed rehabilitation protocol are presented.