Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:Chronic postamputation pain is frequently caused by symptomatic neuroma formation. Advanced nerve interface procedures, including targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) and regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI), were developed to enhance prosthetic control and have been shown to reduce phantom and residual limb pain. However, data regarding how surgical timing relates to postoperative complications and reoperations remain limited. This study evaluated postoperative outcomes after acute and delayed TMR/RPNI in upper-extremity amputees. METHODS:We retrospectively analyzed 48 upper-extremity amputations in 42 patients who underwent TMR and/or RPNI. Procedures were classified as acute (prophylactic) or delayed (symptomatic). Baseline and operative variables were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between surgical timing and postoperative complications after adjustment. RESULTS:Of 48 limbs, 25 (52.1%) underwent acute and 23 (47.9%) delayed procedures. Baseline characteristics differed in smoking history, amputation etiology, and number of nerves treated. Complication rates were 20.0% and 21.7%, respectively. Wound-related complications occurred predominantly after acute procedures, whereas recurrent neuroma reoperations occurred predominantly after delayed procedures. Unexpected reoperation rates at 1 year were 12.0% and 21.7%, respectively. Mean 1-year pain scores were lower after acute than delayed procedures (2.09 vs 3.70). CONCLUSIONS:Acute and delayed TMR/RPNI had similar complication and reoperation rates, with differing event patterns. Surgical timing was not significantly associated with complications after adjustment, though meaningful differences cannot be excluded due to heterogeneity and limited power. These findings support individualized timing and the need for larger prospective studies including patient-reported outcomes.

Transradial amputation of appropriate length preserves forearm rotation and facilitates prosthetic use; however, high rates of phantom limb pain and neuropathic medication use persist. This case describes a multidisciplinary approach to transradial amputation that integrates targeted muscle reinnervation, regenerative peripheral nerve interfaces, and bone and soft tissue management to optimize pain control and prosthetic success. A 29-year-old man with a severe ballistic injury and complex regional pain syndrome underwent transradial amputation with targeted muscle reinnervation and regenerative peripheral nerve interface. Limb length was preserved in accordance with prosthetic guidelines, and myodesis was performed to improve residual limb stability and myoelectric signal quality. This case highlights how nerve management and prosthetic-informed surgical planning optimizes functional outcomes and quality of life after traumatic transradial amputation.

The upper extremity is a structure of incredible complexity able to perform unique tasks that span from the most delicate and intricate to highly strenuous and forceful. Fully functional and aesthetic replacement of the upper extremity after loss remains a medical and technological aspiration. Meaningful advancements continue to be made in all areas of upper extremity limb loss, specifically in traditional surgical reconstruction and prosthetics. This has generated a new field of treatment that is most accurately titled Bionic Reconstruction. Essentially, successful bionic reconstruction allows for the human body to effectively communicate and work in concert with the man-made technology.

BACKGROUND/UNASSIGNED:Physician review websites are easily accessible resources for patients seeking care. The purpose of our study is to characterize the negative reviews of hand surgeons found on popular review sites using a random sample of members from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) directory. MATERIALS AND METHODS/UNASSIGNED:We randomly selected 500 hand surgeons from the AAOS Find an Orthopaedist database and searched for reviews on three websites: Healthgrades.com, Vitals.com, and RateMDs.com. All one-star written reviews were categorized based on the primary complaint in the review. These complaints were analyzed to determine the factors most frequently associated with negative reviews. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:A total of 1,848 written one-star reviews were included in the analysis. Of all included reviews, 18.1% directly referenced having surgery with the reviewed surgeon while 81.9% did not. Nonclinical complaints comprised the majority of reviews (73.6%). Of the nonclinical complaints, bedside manner was the most frequently cited complaint (53.8%), while wait time (11.0%), time spent with the provider (10.4%), and staff complaints (8.5%) were the next most common. Among the clinical complaints, unfavorable surgical outcomes (40.4%) were most common, while disagreement with or unclear treatment plans (23.6%), misdiagnosis (12.3%), and uncontrolled pain (11.9%) were next. CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:While there are several potential sources of patient dissatisfaction, we have demonstrated that nonclinical aspects of care, such as surgeon bedside manner and office wait times, are disproportionately cited as reasons for negative ratings on physician review websites. It is essential for hand surgeons to understand the motivations behind the reviews that they receive.

BACKGROUND:Wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) surgery offers a unique clinical and economic approach to delivering high-quality upper extremity care.Purpose:This article explores the evoluation, techniques, clinical efficancy, financial advantages, and future directions of WALANT as it establishes is growing role in value-based orthopedic care. In doing so, it outlines the value proposition of WALANT for patients, providers, and the hospital system. METHODS:The authors conducted a comprehensive PubMed search to identify studies evaluating the clinical and economic outcomes of WALANT surgery in upper extremity procedures. Eligible studies included prospective and retrospective research, as well as case studies and case series, comparing WALANT with traditional anesthesia. The studies examined focused on metrics such as functional outcomes, patient satisfaction, and cost savings for the patient and the hospital system. RESULTS:Current literature shows that hand and upper extremity surgery performed under WALANT yields similar functional outcomes and even demonstrates equal or higher patient satisfaction compared with traditional anesthesia. Regarding cost savings, WALANT's minimalist approach to procedures can lead to significant waste reduction and notable financial benefits for the patient, the provider, the hospital, and the wider healthcare system. CONCLUSIONS:WALANT surgery offers a compelling value proposition for the patient, the provider, and the healthcare system at large. Through efficient use of resources focused on minimizing waste and optimizing patient experience and outcomes, WALANT offers an opportunity for value-based surgical care. Further research into more sophisticated clinical uses and large-scale cost-savings analyses is necessary for WALANT procedures to be further validated and more broadly adopted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Level V.Key Words: wide-awake surgery, WALANT, upper extremity surgery, hand surgery.

This case is a 37-year-old man with diffuse primary synovial chondromatosis of the elbow, with associated ulnar nerve compression and flexion contracture at the elbow. An open synovectomy with removal of loose bodies and an ulnar nerve decompression with anterior subcutaneous transposition were performed. Postoperatively, the patient's elbow mobility and nerve compression symptoms improved steadily, which significantly improved his function. Primary synovial chondromatosis of the elbow is a rare disease that can result in pain, swelling, decreased range of motion, and mechanical symptoms. Treatment usually involves synovectomy and removal of loose bodies to address patients' pain and joint motion.

The scapholunate ligament (SLL) is a critical stabilizer of the wrist joint. Disruption of the SLL leads to altered wrist kinematics, including scaphoid flexion, lunate extension, and increased stress on surrounding cartilage and ligaments, which can progress to dorsal intercalated segment instability and scapholunate advanced collapse. Despite predictable biomechanical changes, clinical outcomes vary widely because some patients develop significant functional limitations, whereas others remain asymptomatic. Nonoperative management, including immobilization, therapy, and bracing, remains the first-line treatment for partial tears or stable injuries. Surgical intervention, such as SLL repair with capsulodesis or reconstruction, is indicated for cases with persistent pain, instability, or functional deficits. Capsulodesis is a commonly used adjunct to SLL repair. Multiple surgical techniques exist for SLL repair in the acute setting and for reconstruction in the chronic setting when SLL is deemed irreparable. Although several surgical techniques are available for chronic injuries, a gold standard has not yet been established.

Since the beginning of documented medical history, amputation procedures, limb loss, and the myriad creative solutions attempted to care for these individuals have been reported. With the coalescence of multiple World Wars resulting in an ever-increasing number of individuals with limb loss and advancing medical technology, a need to innovate in this field has always been present. The complexity of the hand and upper extremity in self-care, communication, vocation, and exercise results in more demands of prostheses to mimic or replace these functions as opposed to the lower extremity, which is focused mostly on weight bearing and ambulation. As such, this need has pushed technological advances past the simpler passive or body-powered prostheses alone, now with externally powered and hybrid devices revolutionizing the way these appliances were implemented in everyday life. Despite the ever-advancing field of prosthetic technology, upper and lower extremity amputees alike still battle common challenges of pain, phantom limb sensation, and lack of prosthetic control and sensation. Targeted muscle reinnervation and regenerative peripheral nerve interface offer new surgical solutions to some of these challenges and are proving invaluable. As technology and surgical options continue to advance at an ever-rapid pace, a more thoughtful and individualized approach to the care of upper extremity limb loss is available. In this study, we review the history and evolution of upper extremity prostheses and discuss considerations in making optimal surgical and prosthetic decisions for upper extremity amputees.