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We report our experience in the use of a vascularized bone graft harvested from the head of the index metacarpal to treat scaphoid nonunion after failure of other techniques. Only 15 patients were treated between 1988 and 1994, showing the scarcity of indications for the operation. Union was obtained in 14 cases but the functional results were acceptable in ten cases only. This was due to previously unnoticed degenerative lesions.

The arthroscopic resection of synovial cysts of the wrist is a simple technique which is comfortable for the patient. We report on a series of 96 patients with dorsal synovial cysts (75 women, 21 men). All patients had undergone preliminary treatment which had been unsuccessful. We operated on 32 patients with a volar cyst (27 women, five men). All the patients were operated on as outpatients under local regional anaesthesia. For the dorsal cysts, after having precisely located the cyst, it is then resected after having inserted a shaver directly through the wall of the cyst starting with the capsule. For the volar cysts the arthroscope was inserted through a 3-4 portal and the shaver was inserted through a 1-2 radiocarpal portal. In all cases, there was no immobilisation and a range of motion was started the same day. For the dorsal cysts, our average follow-up was 34 months (range 12–46 months). There were no complications. We had four recurrences. For the palmar cysts, our average follow-up was 26 months (range 12–39 months). There have been no recurrences to date.

Introduction Scapholunate ligament injuries usually result due to a fall on the outstretched hand leading to scapholunate instability. The natural history of untreated scapholunate instability remains controversial and usually results in late arthritic changes-the so-called "SLAC" wrist. The advent of wrist arthroscopy helps in early diagnosis and treatment of these serious injuries. In selected cases with reducible scapholunate instability (Garcia-Elias stages 2, 3 and 4) we propose a new "all arthroscopic dorsal capsulo-ligamentous repair" with the added advantage of early rehabilitation and prevention of post-operative stiffness. Material and MethodsWe report the results of our series of 57 consecutive patients suffering from chronic wrist pain refractory to conservative measures. All patients underwent a thorough clinical examination in addition to a standard set of radiographs and MRI exam; and they were treated by an all-arthroscopic dorsal capsulo-ligamentous repair under loco-regional anesthesia on an ambulatory basis. All patients were available for follow-up at regular intervals during the post-operative period. At follow-up, the wrist ROM in all directions, the grip strength, DASH questionnaire and pain relief based on the VAS were recorded for both-the operated and contra-lateral sides. Results There were 34 males & 23 females with a mean age of 38.72 AE 11.33 years (range 17-63 years). The dominant side was involved in 52 cases. The mean time since injury was 9.42 AE 6.33 months (range 3-24 months) and the mean follow-up was 30.74 AE 7.05 months (range 18-43 months). The mean range of motion improved in all directions. The mean difference between the post-and pre-operative extension was 14.03°(SEM ¼ 1.27°; p < 0.001); while the mean difference between the post-and preoperative flexion was 11.14°(SEM ¼ 1.3°; p < 0.0001) with flexion and radial deviation reaching 84.3% and 95.72% respectively of the unaffected wrist. The mean difference for the VAS score was -5.46 (SEM ¼ 0.19; p < 0.0001). The mean post-operative grip strength of the affected side was 38.42 AE 10.27 kg (range 20-60 kg) as compared with mean pre-operative grip strength of 24.07 AE 10.51 kg (range 8-40 kg) (p < 0.0001). The mean post-operative grip strength of the operated side was 93.4% of the unaffected side. The DISI was corrected in all cases on post-operative radiographs. The mean

Purpose The purpose of this study is to report the association of dorsal wrist capsular avulsion with scapholunate ligament instability and to evaluate the results of an arthroscopy-assisted repair. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 10 patients with a mean age of 39.1 years suffering from chronic dorsal wrist pain. They underwent a wrist arthroscopy with an evaluation of the scapholunate ligament complex from the radiocarpal and midcarpal compartments. An avulsion of the dorsal intercarpal ligament (DICL) from the scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) was visible from the radiocarpal compartment in all cases, while the SLIL was intact. The DICL tear was repaired with an arthroscopy-assisted dorsal capsuloplasty. Patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively by the QuickDASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) questionnaire, by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, and by a clinical and radiological examination. Results Preoperatively, all patients had reduced flexion and radial deviation of the affected wrist. On the lateral radiograph, 5 of the 10 patients showed an increase of the scapholunate angle (60 to 85°). The scapholunate instability was graded as Messina-European Wrist Arthroscopy Society (EWAS) II in five cases and as grade IIIB in five cases. A tear of the ulnar part of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) was found in seven cases. At a mean followup of 16 months, the wrist range of motion (ROM), the grip strength, the QuickDASH, and the VAS of pain improved significatively. The scapholunate angle was normalized in all cases. Discussion Isolated tears of the DICL at its insertion from the dorsal part of the SLIL can be associated with scapholunate instability in the absence of an injury to the SLIL. The diagnosis is made arthroscopically. The arthroscopic dorsal capsuloplasty is a minimally invasive technique that provides short-term satisfactory results. Further studies are needed to determine whether repair of the DICL tear could prevent secondary destabilization of the scapholunate ligament complex. Level of evidence IV (case series) Diagnosis.

Fractures of the proximal pole of the scaphoid with associated avascular necrosis and nonunion are well known to be problematic. Many techniques for fixation and reconstruction of the proximal pole of the scaphoid have been reported, often with poor results. One of the newer modalities of treatment for these difficult cases is excision of the proximal pole and replacement with a pyrocarbon implant. The ovoid shape of the implant acts as a spacer and repositions itself throughout the range of motion of the wrist. The procedure can be performed arthroscopically, thus reducing the morbidity and allowing the procedure to be a day case. Satisfactory results have been reported in elderly patients, but there is a paucity of literature regarding the outcomes in younger patients. This multicenter retrospective study evaluates the clinical, radiologic, and functional outcomes in patients under the age of 65 years with a minimum follow up of 5 years. There were 14 patients with scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) grade I, II, or III wrists, with a mean age of 53 years and mean follow up of 8.7 years. There were improvements in all of the patient related variables including VAS pain scores (7.5 to 0.7), extension (45°to 60°), flexion (32°to 53°), and grip strength (15.8 to 34.6 kg). Complications included volar subluxation of the implant, which was acutely surgically corrected (1), volar subluxation of the implant, with persistent pain that required a four-corner fusion (2), and secondary radial styloidectomy (3). This technique is an attractive, minimally invasive alternative for nonunion and avascular necrosis resulting from fractures of the proximal pole of the scaphoid. The authors provide details of the technique, including technical suggestions for performing the procedure.