Faculty Bibliography

INTRODUCTION/UNASSIGNED:Managing open distal radius fractures (DRFs) poses challenges. While preventing surgical site infection (SSI) involves prompt antibiotic administration and thorough irrigation and debridement, the impact of urgent intervention on reducing postoperative infection rates is debated. We hypothesize that timing of surgery does not significantly affect the incidence of SSI in open DRF treated within or after 24 hours from time of injury. METHODS/UNASSIGNED:We retrospectively analyzed the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program from 2011 to 2021. We focused on outcome variables, including superficial SSI and deep SSI or osteomyelitis. To evaluate the relationship between time to operative intervention and SSI rates, we employed least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and multivariate regression models, adjusting for patient-specific factors and injury severity. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:= .013) was significantly associated with increased rates of superficial SSI. CONCLUSIONS/UNASSIGNED:Extended time to surgery correlates with a modest rise in deep SSI incidence in open DRF. However, there was no heightened risk of superficial SSI in patients with delayed surgery. Polytrauma, alcohol use disorder, and diabetes were linked to elevated SSI rates in open DRF.

We report this case of a rock climber who sustained a right ring-finger grade-III A2 pulley rupture. After failed nonoperative management, the patient underwent pulley reconstruction with ipsilateral palmaris longus autograft using a double-loop technique. The immediate postoperative course was uncomplicated, and the patient returned to painless rock climbing six months after the index procedure. One year postoperatively, the patient developed discomfort on the dorsum of the proximal phalanx which progressed to baseline pain at rest. Radiographs and MRI taken 16 months postoperatively demonstrated intact palmaris graft with underlying bone osteitis and resorption of the proximal phalanx. The range of motion remained full without bowstringing. The patient was indicated for revision A2 pulley reconstruction with ipsilateral extensor retinaculum autograft. Six months following revision pulley reconstruction, the patient was pain-free and radiographs demonstrated improvement in cortical density. The patient was able to return to rock climbing. Our case suggests pulley reconstruction with an extensor retinaculum slip sutured to the ever-present fibrous rim is a viable option with successful short-term outcomes in the setting of post-reconstructive bone resorption.

This article reviews the diagnosis and treatment of flexor tendon injuries of the hand highlighting flexor tendon anatomy, important pre-operative imaging findings, surgical options, and post-operative complications. Imaging plays a key role in guiding treatment of these difficult to manage injuries. Thus, it is important for radiologists to have a sound understanding of factors important in treatment decision-making. In the pre-operative setting, accurately identifying the location of the torn proximal tendon stump in subacute and chronic injuries helps dictate whether the patient is a candidate for a primary flexor tendon repair or may require a tendon reconstruction to restore function. In the post-operative setting, the status of the repair and presence of surrounding adhesions help dictate if and when the patient will require subsequent surgery and whether that surgery will be a tenolysis, revision repair, reconstruction, or fusion.

Ulnar sided wrist pain often presents a diagnostic challenge. Creating a meaningful differential diagnosis is possible with a detailed history and systematic physical exam using provocative maneuvers. Targeted imaging studies can allow for further narrowing of the differential and ultimate diagnosis.

➢/UNASSIGNED:Approximately 25% of all patients who sustain perilunate dislocations present in a delayed fashion. ➢/UNASSIGNED:While management of acute injuries is relatively well-described, treatment of chronic injuries can be complex and there is a paucity of scientific evidence to guide management. ➢/UNASSIGNED:Treatment options include open reduction internal fixation, proximal row carpectomy, scaphoid or lunate excision with or without arthrodesis, and total wrist arthrodesis, although indications vary based on chronicity of injury and patient factors. ➢/UNASSIGNED:The purpose of this article was to determine the quality of evidence supporting surgical options for the treatment of these injuries.

Neuropathic symptoms involving the wrist are a common clinical presentation that can be due to a variety of causes. Imaging plays a key role in differentiating distal nerve lesions in the wrist from more proximal nerve abnormalities such as a cervical radiculopathy or brachial plexopathy. Imaging complements electrodiagnostic testing by helping define the specific lesion site and by providing anatomical information to guide surgical planning. This article reviews nerve anatomy, normal and abnormal findings on ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, and common and uncommon causes of neuropathy.

Medial and lateral elbow pain are often due to degenerative tendinosis and less commonly due to trauma. The involved structures include the flexor-pronator tendon origin in medial-sided pain and the extensor tendon origin in lateral-sided pain. Multimodality imaging is often obtained to verify the clinically suspected diagnosis, evaluate the extent of injury, and guide treatment decisions. Image-guided procedures can provide symptom relief to support physical therapy and also induce tendon healing. Surgical debridement and repair are typically performed in refractory cases, resulting in good to excellent outcomes in most cases. In this article, we review and illustrate pertinent anatomical structures of the distal humerus, emphasizing the structure and contributions of the flexor-pronator and extensor tendon origins in acute and chronic tendon abnormalities. We also discuss approaches to image-guided treatment and surgical management of medial and lateral epicondylitis.

Ultrasonography as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool has become a resource for musculoskeletal injuries. It can be a useful imaging modality for clinical correlation of physical examination findings as well as an aid for image-guided procedures. Understanding the settings in which it is a helpful adjunct will have implications on efficiency and cost utility. The objectives of this chapter are to provide a background of ultrasonography as a musculoskeletal imaging modality, provide clinical correlation for ultrasonographic findings for common upper extremity pathology, review the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasonography for image-guided procedures, and provide insight into the cost utility of ultrasonography guidance for therapeutic injections.

Necrotizing infections of the hand and wrist are important clinical entities because of their rapidly progressive and potentially lethal nature. These infections encompass a spectrum of diseases with overlapping signs and symptoms, which can be subtle and nonspecific. If the brief prodromal period of these infections goes unrecognized, a local area of devitalized tissue can evolve into fulminant infection, multiorgan failure, and potentially death. Early recognition and treatment including administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics and surgical débridement are paramount to improving patient outcomes.