Background Advances in wrist arthroscopy and the emergence of novel surgical techniques have created a need for new portals to the wrist. The aim of this study was to define and verify the safety of the volar distal radioulnar (VDRU) portal. Description of the Technique The VDRU portal is located ∼5 to 10 mm proximal to the proximal wrist crease, just on the ulnar edge of flexor carpi ulnaris tendon and radial to the dorsal cutaneous branch of the ulnar nerve. The ulnar styloid marks the distal point of the portal. Methods An anatomical study was performed on 12 upper extremity specimens of 6 human cadavers. Iatrogenic injuries of neurovascular structures potentially at risk were assessed, and the distance from the portal to these structures was measured. Results No iatrogenic injuries of the structures at risk occurred. Mean distances from the VDRU portal to the ulnar neurovascular bundle, the radial branch of the dorsal sensory branches of the ulnar nerve (DSBUN), and the ulnar branch of the DSBUN were 9.29 ± 0.26 mm, 8.08 ± 0.25 mm, and 10.58 ± 0.23 mm, respectively. There were no differences between left and right wrists. The distances from the VDRU portal to the ulnar neurovascular bundle and the ulnar branch of the DSBUN were significantly shorter in women; this distance was not less than 7 mm in any case. Conclusions The VDRU portal is safe, reproducible, and facilitates the implementation of various techniques related to triangular fibrocartilage complex pathology.
Introduction There has been an increase in the diagnosis of injuries to the intrinsic ligaments of the wrist due to the more widespread use of arthroscopy in the treatment of patients with musculoskeletal wrist pain, and arthroscopy is particularly very helpful to determine the etiology of these lesions at the ulnar level. The treatment of lunotriquetral ligament injuries encompasses different techniques with results that are little reproducible. Ligament reconstruction through tendon grafting has shown favorable results, but it involves extensive open approaches that lead to a slower recovery a lower range of joint motion due to the excess of scar tissue. The objective of the present study is to describe the performance, in a cadaver, of a minimally-invasive lunotriquetral and secondary-stabilizer ligamentoplasty and its application in a representative clinical case. Material and Methods A preliminary study of six specimens in which a lunotriquetral and secondary-stabilizer ligamentoplasty was performed consecutively through a free tendon graft with arthroscopic assistance. We proceeded to recreate the complete ligament injury, and to perform an assessment of lunotriquetral instability according to the Geissler classification and an arthroscopic ballottement test. We describe the surgical technique, ligament stability after the ligamentoplasty, and the subsequent anatomical dissection, assessing the anatomical structures susceptible to iatrogenic injury. We also describe the application of the technique in one case, comparing the clinical parameters before and after the procedure: range of motion of the joint, strength, pain and the shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Hand, and Shoulder (QuickDASH) questionnaire. Results The ligamentoplasties performed showed recovery of the stability of the lunotriquetral interval assessed according to the Geissler classification and the arthroscopic ballottement test. In the dissection of the specimens, no iatrogenic lesions were found in the tendons or the surfaces of the mediocarpal and radiocarpal joints. The average distances between the nearest bone tunnels and nerves were of 7.3 mm for the sensory branch of the ulnar nerve, of 3.6 mm for the posterior interosseous nerve, and of 4.5 mm for the ulnar neurovascular bundle. No fractures were observed in the tunnelled bones. In the clinical case herein presented, six months after the intervention, there was an improvement in strength and preoperative pain, with a slight decrease in the joint range of motion (15% compared to the contralateral joint). Conclusions The lunotriquetral ligamentoplasty herein described could contribute to the biomechanical restoration of the carpus and be an option for recosntruction in selected cases. Its performance through minimally-invasive techniques, and the use of a free tendon graft together with specific rehabilitation should be considered to optimize the outcomes.
Introduction Management of distal radius fractures remains controversial despite their high frequency. Elderly patients specifically present a high rate of secondary displacement, sometimes requiring a complex reconstructive surgery. The surgical treatment of displaced fractures evolving for several weeks in elderly patients has not been clearly reflected in the literature. This study aims to show clinical and radiological outcomes from this particular situation. Material and Methods Retrospective study of 31 cases of distal radius fractures with more than 2 weeks of evolution. Fractures were graded according to the Fernández's classification. Pre- and postoperative radiological studies were carried out to evaluate the degree of correction achieved. A clinical evaluation was performed using the Mayo Wrist Score. Data on arthroscopy and bone substitutes use, specific surgical tips and complications were also collected. Results Thirty-one patients with a mean age of 76 years old were operated for distal radius fracture with a delay in surgical treatment of 22 days. The most frequent fracture pattern was Fernández type III (38.7%). The clinical outcome according to the Mayo Wrist Score was 81.94 points with no relationship to fracture pattern or arthroscopic assistance. A statistically significant improvement was achieved for the correction of radial inclination, joint gap and ulnar variance. No statistically significant improvement was achieved in volar tilt correction. Complications were observed in 12.9% of the cases. Conclusions Delayed surgical treatment of distal radius fracture in elderly patients provides similar results to those observed in other age groups and time of evolution. Despite not being the ideal scenario for the surgeon, it should be considered to avoid functional deterioration in this fragile age group.
Introducción La etiología y el manejo de los gangliones sigue en controversia pese a su elevada frecuencia. Concretamente el tratamiento del ganglión volar de muñeca se ha asociado a un mayor índice de recidiva y complicaciones comparado con el ganglión dorsal. En los últimos años, se ha desarrollado el tratamiento artroscópico con el fin de realizar un tratamiento menos invasivo y poder identificar una relación causal. El objetivo del estudio es determinar la presencia de lesiones intraarticulares asociadas al ganglión volar y si el tratamiento de ambas patologías puede ser una opción válida. Material y Método Estudio longitudinal en el que se intervinieron de forma consecutiva 21 pacientes de ganglión volar de muñeca por vía artroscópica. Se recogieron los datos sociodemográficos, exploración física, pruebas complementarias, región predominante de dolor (EVA) y cuestionario DASH pre y postoperatorio. Se asoció el tratamiento de las lesiones intraarticulares en el mismo acto quirúrgico si existía correlación clínica con la exploración física inicial. Resultados Todos los casos fueron intervenidos por vía artroscópica sin complicaciones intraoperatorias. Se observaron hallazgos artroscópicos en todos los casos siendo la mayoría lesiones del Fibrocartilago Triangular del Carpo (57,12%). Se obtuvo una mejoría en los parámetros de dolor y DASH postoperatorios siendo este último significativo en los casos de dolor cubital y dorsal asociado al ganglión (p < 0.02). Hubo 2 casos de recidiva 9,52% que requirieron reintervención. Conclusiones Existe un gran número y variabilidad de lesiones intraarticulares asociadas al ganglión volar de muñeca. El tratamiento artroscópico es una herramienta versátil y útil ya que permite un tratamiento combinado. Se ha observado una mejora en los resultados postoperatorios con un escaso índice de complicaciones.
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