The extensor pollicis longus (EPL) is a consistent structure with rare anomalies, the most common being a group of different tendon duplications passing through the fourth compartment without symptoms. The second form comprises anomalies in the course of the EPL having significant clinical importance due to the predisposition for creating tenosynovitis of the EPL mimicking other types of tendon tenosynovitis. Clinical symptoms of radial dorsal wrist pain mimicking intersection syndrome or de-Quervain disease with the "absent snuff box" sign should raise suspicions for an anomaly in the course of the EPL.

Ulnar superficialis slip resection is a procedure initially performed to treat flexor tenosynovitis in the rheumatoid finger. It was first described for treating trigger digits of children with mucopolysaccharide storage disorders and for more complex trigger digits in children. The procedure for adults with trigger finger was described for triggering with flexion contracture at the proximal interphalangeal joint level persisting after release of the A1 pulley and for trigger finger in diabetic patients.This article describes a case of chronic flexor tenosynovitis treated with ulnar superficialis slip resection. The patient was injured by the needle of a water pressure gauge. He developed chronic flexor tenosynovitis, and 1 year after the initial injury, surgery was performed due to a severe limitation of passive and active proximal interphalangeal joint flexion. Synovectomy was performed first, then the A1 pulley was divided. Passive finger flexion and extension was simulated and failed to reproduce full range of motion (ROM). The A3 pulley was then divided and still failed to reproduce full ROM. The ulnar slip of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon was then resected from the distal margin of the carpal tunnel to the distal edge of the A3 pulley. The tendons could now move smoothly, and full passive ROM was achieved.Surgery consisting of synovectomy alone with or without resection of the A1 pulley without achieving full intraoperative ROM will likely lead to a poor result. We believe that cases like ours should be addressed with an "à la carte" procedure, starting with synovectomy and followed by A1 resection, A3 resection, and finally ulnar superficialis slip resection for achieving full intraoperative ROM.

We report a case of low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma with giant collagen rosettes in the hand of a 21-year-old female. This is a clinically and radiological benign appearing tumor that has a high rate of recurrence and metastasis.

ObjectivesInjectable Bromelain Solution (IBS) is a modified investigational derivate of the medical grade bromelain-debriding pharmaceutical agent (NexoBrid) studied and approved for a rapid (four-hour single application), eschar-specific, deep burn debridement. We conducted an ex vivo study to determine the ability of IBS to dissolve-disrupt (enzymatic fasciotomy) Dupuytren’s cords.Materials and MethodsSpecially prepared medical grade IBS was injected into fresh Dupuytren’s cords excised from patients undergoing surgical fasciectomy. These cords were tested by tension-loading them to failure with the Zwick 1445 (Zwick GmbH & Co. KG, Ulm, Germany) tension testing system.ResultsWe completed a pilot concept-validation study that proved the efficacy of IBS to induce enzymatic fasciotomy in ten cords compared with control in ten cords. We then completed a dosing study with an additional 71 cords injected with IBS in descending doses from 150 mg/cc to 0.8 mg/cc. The dosing study demonstrated that the minimal effective dose of 0.5 cc of 6.25 mg/cc to 5 mg/cc could achieve cord rupture in more than 80% of cases.ConclusionsThese preliminary results indicate that IBS may be effective in enzymatic fasciotomy in Dupuytren’s contracture.Cite this article: Dr G. Rubin. A new bromelain-based enzyme for the release of Dupuytren’s contracture: Dupuytren’s enzymatic bromelain-based release. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:175–177. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.55.BJR-2016-0072.

Ulnar-sided wrist pain is a common complaint that presents a diagnostic challenge. Determining the cause of ulnar-sided wrist pain is difficult, largely due to the complexity of the anatomic and biomechanical properties of the ulnar side of the wrist. Osteoid osteoma is a benign skeletal neoplasm of unknown etiology that is composed of osteoid and woven bone. Its incidence is 11% of benign tumors and 3% of all primary bone tumors, with 6% to 13% of all cases occurring in the hand. Osteoid osteoma of the hamate can produce ulnar-sided wrist pain in the dorsal or volar aspect of the wrist, depending on the location of the tumor in the bone. In its classical and most frequent form, the osteoma may settle in the cortex or the spongiosa. A third rare form appears subperiosteally. Occasionally it destroys the articular cartilage by erosion or penetration. Most of the tumors will produce dorsal pain. A tumor located in the hook will produce volar pain. This article describes a case of ulnar-sided wrist pain due to a rare case of osteoid osteoma of the hamate. We recommend marking the nidus with a needle intraoperatively with the aid of radiography.