Techniques in hand & upper extremity surgery
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Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg · Sep 2014
Radial ridge excision for symptomatic volar tendon subluxation following de Quervain's release.
Traditional surgical release to address de Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis can lead to the rare complication of volar tendon subluxation. This study presents a surgical procedure, which entails excision of the radial ridge as an alternative treatment to relieve pain associated with symptomatic volar tendon subluxation following de Quervain's release. The procedure was performed on 6 patients complaining of painful volar tendon subluxation of abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB), following a first dorsal compartment release and postoperative splinting. ⋯ The APL and EPB tendons were released from dorsal retractors. All patients reported relief upon follow-up. Excision of this ridge removes the obtrusive friction to the APL and EPB tendons, allowing them to glide painlessly over the radial styloid.
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Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg · Sep 2014
Case ReportsPalmar reconstruction of the triangular fibrocartilage complex for static instability of the distal radioulnar joint.
This study describes a new technique that can be used for reconstructing the triangular fibrocartilage complex to correct the static palmar radius instability of the distal radioulnar joint. In the abovementioned condition, the radius is extremely unstable with respect to the ulna and dislocates palmarly in the resting position. Using a palmar approach, a palmaris longus tendon graft was sutured to the remnant of the disrupted palmar radioulnar and ulnocarpal ligaments and then anchored to the bone tunnel that was created at the ulnar fovea. This technique predominantly reinforces the palmar structure of triangular fibrocartilage complex because the palmar radioulnar ligament is the most critical stabilizer of palmar radius instability.
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Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg · Jun 2014
Anatomic foveal reconstruction of the triangular fibrocartilage complex with a tendon graft.
An acute injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) with avulsion of the foveal attachment can produce distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability. The avulsed TFCC is translated distally so the footprint will be bathed in synovial fluid from the DRUJ and will become covered in synovitis. If the TFCC fails to heal to the footprint, then persistent instability can occur. ⋯ DRUJ ballottement under arthroscopic vision details the direction of instability, the functional tear pattern, and unmasks concealed tears. If the reverse hook test demonstrates a functional instability between the TFCC and the radius, then a foveal reconstruction is contraindicated, and a reconstruction that stabilizes the radial and ulnar aspects of the TFCC is required. The foveal reconstruction technique has the advantage of providing a robust anatomically based reconstruction of the TFCC to the fovea, which stabilizes the DRUJ and the ulnocarpal sag.
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Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg · Jun 2014
Percutaneous fixation of first metacarpal base fractures using locked K-wires: a series of 14 cases.
The treatment of choice for first metacarpal base fractures is surgical. Open fixation is stable but causes tendinous adhesions. Percutaneous fixation is minimally invasive but is often followed by secondary displacement. ⋯ No arthritis was noted, but the follow-up was short. Our results show that the Iselin technique using locked K-wires is minimally invasive, stable, allows immediate mobilization, and K-wire removal in the office. Its indications may be extended to all fractures of the base of the first metacarpal whether articular or extra-articular.
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Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg · Jun 2014
Exposure of the retroclavicular brachial plexus by clavicle suspension for birth brachial plexus palsy.
Surgical exploration and reconstruction of the brachial plexus requires adequate exposure beyond the zone of injury. In the case of extensive lesions, some authors advocate clavicle osteotomy for an extensile approach. Such an osteotomy introduces further morbidity and may impact upon the delicate nerve reconstruction. A new simple but effective method of clavicle elevation is described that provides access to the retroclavicular brachial plexus during exploration for birth brachial plexus palsy.