Hand/Wrist News

The results of a level 1 study show superior wrist function in patients who performed surgeon-directed independent exercises after volar plating for distal radius fracture than those who had formal occupational therapy.

LAS VEGAS — The availability of on-call resources for emergency hand surgery and microvascular/replantation services at U.S. trauma centers remains inconsistent, according to recently presented findings on level 1 and 2 institutions.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — British investigators found that a 10-point carpal tunnel syndrome scoring system they developed correlated well with nerve conduction study findings, suggesting that using the scoring system may permit performing the costly — and sometimes painful — nerve conduction tests less often.

Articular contact pressures do not appear to be significantly changed through the use of distal radius locking plates with subchondral hardware placement, according to a study from researchers in Maryland.

Researchers in India have developed an intramedullary nailing method for the treatment of spiral and comminuted metacarpal fractures they claim is cosmetically appealing while providing stable fixation and avoiding periosteal stripping with a low complication rate.

Investigators from Philadelphia have found similar rates of lower extremity venous thromboembolism among patients who have sustained an upper extremity injury and those who have not.

The reasons why certain patients with pediatric trigger thumb resolve spontaneously while others require surgery remains unclear, and a recently presented study was unable to show whether ultrasound could reliably predict which patients would resolve on their own.

As swarms of injured soldiers returned from World War II with complex hand injuries, a need arose for a specialized society that could organize and educate surgeons in hand surgery, according to Daniel J. Nagle, MD, current president of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.

Moving the tension level of tendon disruption to the finger pulp resulted in no ruptures and the ability for patients to quickly begin a postoperative rehabilitation program, according to this study from Romanian researchers.

SAN DIEGO — Biologic resurfacing of the glenoid in young patients with glenohumeral arthritis carries an “unacceptable” failure rate, according to a study investigator.