We report an unusual case of chronic inflammatory arthropathy involving the sternoclavicular joint. Arthroscopic debridement of the sternoclavicular joint cavity was accompanied with the arthroscopic excision of the medial end of clavicle. Twelve months post-surgery the patient is asymptomatic with no signs of recurrence and a full pain free range of movement.

We reviewed the incidence and treatment of flexor carpi radialis tendinitis in 77 patients (81 thumbs) who had trapeziectomy and abductor pollicis longus suspensionplasty for thumb carpometacarpal joint arthritis. Eighteen patients, 20 wrists (25%) had flexor carpi radialis tendinitis. The onset was 2-10 months (mean 4.7) after surgery. Two cases had preceding trauma. Eight cases (40%) responded to splinting and steroid injection. Ten patients, 12 wrists (60%) underwent surgery after failing non-operative treatment. Eleven wrists had frayed or partially torn flexor carpi radialis tendon and one had a complete tendon rupture with pseudotendon formation. Flexor carpi radialis tenotomy and pseudotendon excision were performed. All operated patients obtained good pain relief initially post-operatively. However, the pain recurred in two patients after 8 months. One required a local steroid injection for localized tenderness at the site of the proximal tendon stump. The other patient required a revision operation for scaphotrapezoid impingement. Both obtained complete pain relief. Our study has shown a high incidence of flexor carpi radialis tendinitis following trapeziectomy and abductor pollicis longus suspensionplasty. Patients should be warned about this potential complication.

Low TH, Hales PF. High incidence and treatment of flexor carpi radialis tendinitis after trapeziectomy and abductor pollicis longus suspensionplasty for basal joint arthritis. J Hand Surg Eur 2014; 39: 838 -844Flexor-carpi-radialis-Tendinitis: häufige Komplikation nach Trapezektomie Eine Tendinitis der Flexor-carpi-radialis-Sehne ist eine seltene Ursache für Schmerzen im palmaren Handgelenk. Dieser Entzün-