Faculty Bibliography

It has been hypothesized that instability of the thumb trapeziometacarpal joint is a major factor in the etiology of degenerative disease. Theoretically, surgically stabilized joints should be subject to less shear force and, hence, will be less likely to develop degenerative changes. The long-term results of volar ligament reconstruction were assessed in 19 patients (24 thumbs). The average age at surgery was 33 years (range, 18-55 years). Twenty-three thumbs were radiographic stage I; a preoperative x-ray was not available in 1. The follow-up period averaged 15 years (range, 10-23 years). At the final follow-up visit 15 thumbs were stage I, 7 were stage II, and 2 were stage III. Fifteen patients were at least 90% satisfied with the results of the surgery. Only 8% of thumbs advanced to radiographic arthritic disease, which compares favorably with the 17% to 33% reported incidence of stage III/IV basal joint arthritis in the general population.

Computed tomography scans have supplanted conventional tomography for many applications and often are considered the imaging study of choice for assessing intraarticular distal radial fractures. Concern about cost containment in healthcare delivery prompts the question of whether the two studies provide comparable information and at what cost. Common intraarticular distal radial fractures were created in 12 lightly embalmed cadaveric specimens. The fractures were fixed with radiolucent Kirschner wires. Articular step off was measured with a caliper. Plain radiographs, computed tomography scans, and trispiral tomograms were obtained of each specimen. Maximal step off was measured blindly by two musculoskeletal radiologists and four hand surgeons. The radiographic measurements were compared with the actual step off and expressed as a positive or negative deviation from the actual value. There was no statistically significant difference between computed tomography scans and tomograms in predicting step off. In addition, the difference between actual and radiographic measurements was insignificant in tomogram readings and different in one of the computed tomography measurements. In the authors' institution, a tomogram costs $200, and a computed tomography scan costs $562. Trispiral tomography is more accurate and cost effective than computed tomography, and thus when available should be considered the imaging modality of choice for assessing articular step off in distal radius fractures.

Although much has been written about surgical treatment of arthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint, no literature exists on splinting as a conservative treatment. One hundred fourteen patients (130 thumbs) were retrospectively reviewed to determine the efficacy of splinting. Patients were grouped according to their stage of disease and whether they had carpometacarpal joint surgery. Seventy-six percent of patients with stage I and II disease and 54% of patients with stage III and IV disease had improvement in their symptoms with splinting. There was no significant difference in the degree of improvement between the 2 groups. All patients who had initial improvement in their symptoms with splinting had between 54% and 61% average improvement in symptom severity 6 months after splinting. All groups were found to be equally tolerant of the splinting protocol and no group had a significantly higher rate of activity modification. Overall, splinting was found to be a well-tolerated and effective conservative treatment to diminish, but not completely eliminate, the symptoms of carpometacarpal joint arthritis and inflammation.

Palmar fracture dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint is uncommon. Thirteen patients treated for this injury were retrospectively reviewed. There were 9 acute injuries. Seven were treated by closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation and 2 were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. The 4 chronic injuries (more than 1 month after injury) were treated with open reduction and soft tissue reconstruction. The length of follow-up averaged 55 months. Eight patients were free from pain. Postoperative proximal interphalangeal motion averaged 91 for the acute injuries and 70 degrees for the chronic injuries. Follow-up radiographic findings were notable for an increased height of the middle phalangeal base in 6 patients, articular irregularity in 4, and residual subluxation in 2; however, these changes did not correlate with the clinical results. Complications included loss of reduction in 1 patient, progressive swan neck deformity in 1, and development of an average 25 degrees extension lag of the distal interphalangeal joint in 5.

The trapeziometacarpal joint is particularly prone to osteoarthritis due to the great amount of stress applied with everyday activities with the hands. In this essay, radiologic assessment and staging of 'basal joint' osteoarthritis, treatments based on radiologic staging and intraoperative findings, and surgical complications are described

Static and dynamic procedures have been described for reconstruction of chronic instability of the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint. This study presents a technique of ligament replacement utilizing a free tendon graft passed through two gouge tracks in the proximal phalanx and one in the metacarpal in a manner that closely approximates normal anatomy. We retrospectively reviewed 26 patients who underwent replacement. The follow-up period averaged 4.5 years. In 24 of 26 cases the joint was rendered stable by the replacement and the patient was relieved of pain. Eighty-five percent of the arc of motion was maintained. Postoperative key pinch measured 20 lb. on the operated side compared to 21 lb. on the unoperated side. Results were excellent in 20 patients, good in 4, and fair in 2. This technique successfully restores stability to the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint, diminishes pain and weakness with minimal loss of motion, and holds up over time.

Open reduction internal fixation of displaced volar intraarticular distal radius fractures traditionally require sacrificing the volar ligaments to visualize the articular surface. We present a modification of standard arthroscopy that facilitates visualization of the radiocarpal joint while preserving these ligaments.

A retrospective study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of carpal tunnel decompression in patients with advanced carpal tunnel syndrome. The criteria for inclusion in this study were unobtainable median sensory-evoked response and absent or prolonged median motor distal latency. Fifteen hands in 13 patients met these criteria. All patients had symptoms, including pain, weakness, or decreased sensation. Postoperative follow-up averaged 27 months. Symptomatic improvement was obtained in 14 of the 15 hands, and sensory-evoked response improved in 13 hands. Preoperative thenar atrophy was present in 10 of the 15 hands and was completely resolved in 2 of the 10 patients. These results indicate that carpal tunnel decompression is of benefit to patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome. Long-standing symptoms, thenar atrophy, virtual anesthesia, and the absence of demonstrable sensory and motor-evoked responses are not contraindications to surgery.

Visualization of the scaphotrapezial joint during basal joint arthroplasty has been recommended to establish the stage of degeneration. This study attempts to clarify that recommendation and evaluate whether moderate wear of the joint precludes a good result of trapeziometacarpal hemiarthroplasty. To assess the need for inspection of the scaphotrapezial joint, x-ray films, tomograms, and operative findings in 23 cases of basal joint arthroplasty were reviewed. X-ray findings agreed with operative findings at the scaphotrapezial joint in only 76% of the cases. We also evaluated 18 thumbs in 15 patients who underwent interposition arthroplasty of the trapeziometacarpal joint and at surgery had moderate degenerative changes of the scaphotrapezial joint. The scaphotrapezial joints were left intact and the trapeziometacarpal joints were reconstructed. Follow-up averaged 8 years. In no case was there x-ray or symptomatic progression of the disease at the scaphotrapezial joint. Clinically, 78% were rated excellent, 17% good, and 5% fair.

Many reconstructive procedures have been developed to treat osteoarthritis of the basal joint of the thumb. The current article describes techniques used at the Hand Surgery Center at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. A tonometry applanation radiographic staging system is outlined; it serves as a rationale for selecting which form of arthroplasty is appropriate for a particular patient and is predicated on the extent of involvement of the trapezial articulations. Stage 1 disease implies symptomatic laxity of the trapeziometacarpal joint with normal articular surfaces and is most appropriately treated with volar ligament reconstruction. Stage 2 is an intermediate category and amenable to either volar ligament reconstruction or interpositional arthroplasty of the trapeziometacarpal joint, based on the condition of the articular cartilage at surgery. In stage 3 disease there are significant degenerative changes of the trapeziometacarpal joint with preservation of the articular surfaces of the scaphotrapezial joint. Two variations on ligament reconstruction with interpositional arthroplasty of the trapeziometacarpal joint are described; they have consistently good results. Finally, stage 4 is characterized by pantrapezial degenerative disease and necessitates trapezial resection. Reconstruction may be by silicone rubber implant arthroplasty using a stemmed trapezial implant stabilized by an abductor pollicis longus tenodesis. The alternative is a procedure in which the thumb metacarpal is tethered to the index metacarpal by a ligament reconstruction.