A benefit of the volar approach for wrist arthroscopy

We reviewed 230 cases of wrist arthroscopy using a volar approach and evaluated its advantage in various wrist disorders. In general, a dorsal approach has been preferred in wrist arthroscopy. The volar approach has been avoided because of the presence of significant structures, such as radial and ulnar arteries, their venae comitantes, median and ulnar nerves, and flexor tendons. However, we can access the wrist joint securely using the volar approach through the tendon sheath of the flexor carpi radialis. Through this approach, we can adequately visualize the dorsal rim fragment of the intra-articular fracture of the distal radius, dorsal synovial proliferation of the rheumatoid wrist, and volar segment tear of the scapholunate and lunotriquetral interosseous ligaments. We had no complications with wrist arthroscopy using the volar approach in 230 patients. The volar approach for wrist arthroscopy is a valuable procedure to evaluate and treat various wrist disorders.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 19, No 4 (April), 2003: pp 440–445     

腕关节镜掌侧入路的实验与临床研究

目的 报告腕关节镜掌侧入路的设计及初步应用结果.方法 腕关节镜掌桡侧入路定位在桡侧腕屈肌腱桡侧与舟骨结节交界处,掌尺侧入路定位在尺侧腕屈肌腱的尺侧缘、豌豆骨近侧0.5 cm处.对20具防腐腕关节以上离断标本进行解剖学研究,5具新鲜腕关节以上离断标本进行模拟镜下手术.2004年4月至2008年1月,共进行腕关节镜掌侧入路手术20例.男8例,女12例;年龄21～64岁,平均35.6岁.结果 掌侧入路与其周围的血管、神经等结构均有一定的安全距离.掌侧入路镜检可以清晰显示背侧关节囊、舟月骨间韧带的掌侧部分和月三角骨间韧带的掌侧部分.通过掌侧入路置入关节镜,背侧入路置入手术器械,可以更方便地处理腕关节腔背侧部分的病变.20例临床病例均未发生并发症,平均随访23.4(12～37)个月.末次随访时,腕关节背伸-掌屈活动度为134°±16°,桡尺偏活动度为39°±8°,旋前-旋后活动度为139°±18°.术前有2例疼痛为Ⅱ级,18例疼痛为Ⅲ级;末次随访时,11例疼痛为Ⅰ级,8例为Ⅱ级,1例为Ⅲ级;疼痛缓解显著(Z=31.2,P＜0.01).改良Garland和Werley评分为:优10例,良6例,可4例,优良率为80%.结论 腕关节镜掌侧入路是传统背侧入路的重要补充,具有安全性高、操作方便的优点.     

Distal radioulnar joint arthroscopy and the volar ulnar portal

Pain on the ulnar side of the wrist remains poorly understood. As attention has shifted toward the myriad causes of ulnar-sided wrist pain, the utility of viewing the wrist from a volar ulnar (VU) perspective has emerged. Lunotriquetral ligament tears have been implicated in the pathogenesis of volar intercalated segmental instabilities. They often originate in the palmar subregion, which is most important for maintaining stability. These tears are difficult to visualize through the 4, 5, or 6R portals. They are well seen through a VU portal, and the direct line of sight facilitates debridement. The VU portal has potential use in the arthroscopic diagnosis and treatment of patients with injuries to the ulnar sling mechanism. It aids in triangular fibrocartilage repairs especially those involving the dorsal aspect between the ulnar styloid and the radial insertion, because the proximity of the 4, 5, and 6R portals makes triangulation of the instruments difficult. Although arthroscopy of the dorsal aspect of the distal radioulnar joint has been well described, it has largely remained a curiosity, with few clinical indications. Recent biomechanical studies have highlighted the importance of the deep attachment of the triangular fibrocartilage complex in maintaining distal radioulnar joint stability. The volar distal radioulnar portal is useful for assessing the foveal attachment. It may be used where there is the suspicion of a peripheral triangular fibrocartilage detachment due to a loss of its normal tension despite the lack of a visible tear during radiocarpal arthroscopy. The judicious use of these portals deserves consideration for inclusion as part of a thorough arthroscopic examination of selected patients with ulnar-sided wrist pain.     

Clinical applications of volar portals in wrist arthroscopy

Volar portals for wrist arthroscopy have certain advantages over the standard dorsal portals for visualizing dorsal capsular structures as well as the palmar aspects of the carpal ligaments. The volar radial portal is relatively easy to use and is an ideal portal for evaluation of the dorsal radiocarpal ligament and the palmar aspect of the scapholunate interosseous ligament. The volar midcarpal portal may be considered as an occasional accessory portal for visualizing the palmar aspects of the capitate and hamate in cases of avascular necrosis or osteochondral fractures. The volar ulnar portal is especially useful for the viewing and debridement of palmar tears of the lunotriquetral ligament.     

腕关节镜掌侧和背侧联合入路的临床应用及效果

目的 介绍一种腕关节镜掌侧入路建立的新方法,报道使用掌侧和背侧联合入路对腕部疾患诊断和治疗的体会.方法 采用"由内向外的交换棒技术"和"由外向内的浅切开深分离"相结合技术建立腕关节镜掌侧入路.自2004年起,通过掌侧和背侧联合入路,进行11例腕部疾患的腕关节镜手术;三角纤维软骨复合体损伤3例(根据Palmer分型,2A型2例,2C型1例),桡骨远端骨折合并韧带损伤5例(根据AO分型,B1型2例,C3型3例),痛风性关节炎3例.男5例,女6例;年龄30～82岁,平均52岁.对所有病例进行随访观察,了解手术的并发症和治疗效果.结果 通过掌侧入路,成功地观察到腕关节的背侧结构,诊断损伤,并能在镜下施行清理和骨折复位手术.所有病例腕关节活动度得以恢复,疼痛有明显缓解,术后腕关节患者自行评估量表(patient-rated wrist evaluation,PRWE)评分为28.6±9.3.术后3～6个月随访显示无手术相关并发症.结论 通过新技术进行腕关节镜掌侧和背侧联合入路手术,安全可行,是腕部疾患诊疗的一种有效方法.     

Volar portals in wrist arthroscopy

Volar portals for wrist arthroscopy have certain advantages over the standard dorsal portals for visualizing dorsal capsular structures as well as the palmar aspects of the carpal ligaments. The volar radial (VR) portal is relatively easy to use and is an ideal portal for evaluation of the dorsal radiocarpal ligament (DRCL) and the palmar aspect of the scapholunate interosseous ligament. The volar midcarpal portal may be considered as an occasional accessory portal for visualizing the palmar aspects of the capitate and hamate in cases of avascular necrosis or osteochondral fractures. The volar ulnar (VU) portal is especially useful for the viewing and debridement of palmar tears of the lunotriquetral ligament. Copyright © 2002 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand     

Arthroscopic resection of volar wrist lipoma: a case report

We present the case of a patient who showed a volar radiocarpal mass confirmed to be a lipoma by the ultrasonographic examination. The whole procedure was done by arthroscopy, using portal 1-2 for the shaver and 3-4 for the arthroscope. The patient returned to daily activities within a few days, with a mobility of the operated wrist identical to that of the contralateral wrist, with no pain and only two little dorsal scars.     

Arthroscopic assessment of the volar region of the scapholunate interosseous ligament through a volar portal

PURPOSE: The volar region of the scapholunate interosseous ligament is one of the key structures that maintains scapholunate alignment. It is, however, difficult to evaluate this ligament using standard diagnostic procedures, including the arthroscopy through a dorsal portal. We have performed arthroscopic evaluation of this ligament through a volar portal. METHODS: Skin incision was made at just radial of the flexor carpi radialis tendon and the portal was opened through the tendon sheath. RESULTS: The volar approach enabled us to directly observe the extent of the tear of the volar region of scapholunate interosseous ligament. A shaver is inserted through the dorsal portal, and debridement can be performed by using the volar portal vein. We have not had any complications using volar portal. CONCLUSION: Volar approach is a feasible and safe procedure to evaluate and treat the volar region of the scapholunate interosseous ligament.     

Arthroscopic resection of wrist ganglia.

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.     

A Novel Surgical Technique for Neglected Volar Dislocation of the Lunate: Cases Report and Literature Review

Background

Treatments for chronic perilunate or lunate dislocations are very difficult and associated with poor prognoses. There is no established treatment method and are still many controversies.

Case Presentation

We reported three cases of chronic neglected lunate volar dislocation treated with a novel surgical technique. All three cases were males with wrist pain and tingling sensation. Radiographs confirmed chronic volar dislocation of the lunate. Open reduction was performed by combined volar and dorsal approaches. After anatomical reduction, scapholunate and lunotriquetral interosseous ligament reconstructions were performed with the palmaris longus tendon and synthetic tape. The patients had an uneventful postoperative period with satisfactory functional outcomes at the last follow-up.

Conclusions

We believe that open reduction and interosseous ligament reconstruction using the autogenous tendon and synthetic tape may be a valuable option for treating chronic volar dislocation of the lunate.     

Dorsal Wrist Extrinsic Carpal Ligament Injury Exacerbates Volar Radiocarpal Instability After Intra-Articular Distal Radius Fracture

Background: Volar radiocarpal instability is often seen after loss of fixation of volar lunate facet fragments. The pathogenesis of post-traumatic volar radiocarpal instability is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to determine if injury to the dorsal wrist extrinsic carpal ligaments contributes to volar radiocarpal instability. Methods: Six matched pairs of cadaveric upper extremities were tested using a dynamic hand testing system. In group 1, the intact wrist, the wrist with a volar lunate facet fracture, and the fractured wrist after 500 cycles of grip were tested. In group 2, in addition to the intact and fractured wrist, the fractured wrist with the dorsal extrinsic carpal ligaments cut and the fractured wrist with the dorsal extrinsic carpal ligaments cut after 500 cycles of grip were also tested. Volar-dorsal displacement of the lunate was measured from 45° wrist flexion to 45° wrist extension in 22.5° increments with the wrist flexors/extensors loaded for each condition. Results: Volar lunate translation did not significantly increase after the volar lunate facet fracture alone, and was not evident to a significant extent until the dorsal wrist extrinsic carpal ligaments were cut. Further instability of the lunate occurred after grip cycling only with the dorsal extrinsic capsular ligaments cut. Conclusions: Injury to the dorsal wrist extrinsic carpal ligaments exacerbates volar radiocarpal instability. Unrecognized dorsal sided injury may be a contributing factor to why stable fixation of volar lunate facet fragments remains problematic after volar plating of intra-articular distal radius fractures with displaced volar lunate facet fragments.     

Arthroscopic Suture Repair of Peripheral Tears of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Using a Volar Portal

Surgical repair of a Palmer type IB triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tear can be difficult using conventional dorsal portals and it may need special repair kits. The authors describe an arthroscopic technique using an additional volar portal that allows quick access and a secure purchase of peripheral TFCC tears as well as a distinct approach to dorsal wrist structures.     

Optimization of volar percutaneous screw fixation for scaphoid waist fractures using traction, positioning, imaging, and an angiocatheter guide

Percutaneous screw fixation of nondisplaced or reducible scaphoid fractures has become more popular as techniques and implants have improved. Many authors have advocated for the dorsal approach, citing difficulties with adequate screw placement from the volar approach. We have developed a straightforward and reproducible technique for volar percutaneous scaphoid screw fixation that mitigates most of the drawbacks of the approach. The wrist is held in extension and ulnar deviation with traction through the thumb. A 14-gauge angiocatheter needle is then used to localize the starting point and as a cannula for the guide wire. Specific fluoroscopic views help to confirm optimal guide wire placement.     

Shock-Absorbing Effects of Various Padding Conditions in Improving Efficacy of Wrist Guards

The use of wrist guards has limited efficacy in preventing wrist injuries during falling in many sports activities. The objectives of this study were to measure the ground reaction force of the hand under simulated impact of the forearm and hand complex with different padding conditions of wrist guards and to analyze their impact force attenuation and maximum energy absorption for improved functional efficiency. A total of 15 subjects, wearing a commercial wrist guard, participated in a cable-released hand impact experiment to test four different conditions on the volar aspect of the hand, which include a wrist guard without a volar splint (bare hand), with a volar splint (normal use), with a volar splint and additional viscoelastic polymeric padding, and a volar splint and additional air cell padding. The ground reaction force and acceleration of the hand were measured using a force platform mounted on an anti-vibration table and a miniature accelerometer, respectively. Additional padding on the bare hand could substantially improve the maximum energy absorption by more than 39%, with no differences with each other. However, only the air cell padding could simultaneously improve the impact force attenuation by 32% compared with the bare hand impact without compromising the maximum energy absorption. It is recommended that common wrist guard design should provide more compliant padding in the volar aspect to improve the impact force attenuation through optimal material selection and design.

Key Points

• The controversial efficacy of wrist guards in preventing wrist injuries during falling was tested through investigation of their impact force attenuation and maximum energy absorption from the measured ground reaction force of the hand under simulated impact of the forearm and hand complex with four different padding conditions of wrist guards: a wrist guard without a volar splint (bare hand), with a volar splint (normal use), with a volar splint and additional viscoelastic polymeric padding, and a volar splint and additional air cell padding.
• In general, padding on the bare hand could improve the maximum energy absorption by more than 39%, while only the air cell padding could simultaneously attenuate the peak impact force by 32% without compromising the maximum energy absorption.
• Common wrist guard design requires more compliant padding in the volar aspect to improve the impact force attenuation, which should be done through optimal material selection and design.

Key words: Accidental falls direction, wrist injuries, prevention, fractures     

桡骨远端C型骨折掌侧锁定钢板与外固定架的疗效比较

目的比较掌侧锁定钢板与外固定架治疗桡骨远端C型骨折的疗效。方法采用随机对照法,纳入2014年10月到2017年10月收治的桡骨远端C型骨折患者,随机分为两组,分别采用外固定架或者掌侧锁定钢板治疗。比较两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、骨折愈合时间、术后并发症发生率;比较末次随访时患者腕关节活动度、桡骨掌倾角、尺偏角;比较健、患侧握力比值和患侧腕关节Gartland-Werley评分。结果共纳入30例患者,其中外固定架组14例,掌侧锁定钢板组16例。两组患者术后均随访1年。结果显示,掌侧锁定钢板组手术时间长于外固定架组,术中出血量多于外固定架组,但末次随访时桡骨掌倾角、尺偏角恢复水平优于外固定架组(P<0.05);两组骨折愈合时间,末次随访时腕关节屈伸、旋转活动度,健、患侧握力比,患侧腕关节Gartland-Werley评分等,均未见明显统计学差异(P>0.05);两组患者均未发生术后并发症。结论对于桡骨远端C型骨折,外固定架治疗的手术风险小于掌侧锁定钢板,但会造成术后一定程度的复位丢失,然而这种复位丢失并不影响患者的腕关节功能恢复。     

Adventitial mucoid cyst of the radial artery associated with volar wrist ganglion. A case report

The authors report a rare case of a 51-years old woman presenting with cystic mucoid adventitial disease of the radial artery associated with a volar wrist ganglion. Imaging namely doppler sonography, magnetic resonance scanning and angio-MR was performed preoperatively because of a history of radial artery aneurysm in the opposite wrist. The radial artery was resected and the defect bridged by a venous autograft; the volar wrist ganglia was removed. Postoperative histological analysis confirmed mucoid adventitial cyst without communication with the volar wrist ganglion. Surgeons ought to be aware of this rare differential diagnosis (less than ten cases in the literature) in cases of preoperative or peroperative diagnostic doubt.     

Posttraumatic volar tendon subluxation out of the first extensor compartment: a case report

Symptomatic volar subluxation of the abductor pollicis longus and the extensor pollicis brevis tendons developed in a 29-year-old man after a sprain that occurred with the wrist in flexion and ulnar deviation. The extensor retinaculum, which forms the extensor compartment, was partially avulsed from its insertion on the radius. Palmar abduction and extension of the thumb with the wrist flexed produced subluxation of the tendons over the volar side of the radius ridge where the retinaculum forming the first extensor compartment attached. Nonoperative treatment including steroid injection and splinting was ineffective. Surgery was performed to reconstruct a new tendon restraint with part of the extensor retinaculum.     

Unusual volar dislocation of the lunate into the distal forearm: case report

A case of a severe wrist injury (fractures of the scaphoid, capitate, hamate, and ulnar styloid process) with volar dislocation of the lunate into the soft tissues of the forearm is presented. This degree of displacement of the lunate is exceedingly rare, and we believe has not been previously reported. Possible mechanisms, hyperextension injury forcing the lunate forward out of the carpus, or contact between the volar wrist skin surface and another object or surface propelling the dislocated lunate into the forearm, are discussed.     

Terminal branch of anterior interosseous nerve as source of wrist pain

The terminal branch of the anterior interosseous nerve is described anatomically and demonstrated histologically. Injury to this nerve can be the source of persistent, dull aching volar wrist pain. Suitability for partial volar wrist denervation is determined by functional testing before and after a diagnostic nerve block. Experience with twelve patients with this problem is presented.     

Volar hook plate stabilization of volar marginal fragments in intra-articular distal radius fractures

BackgroundIn the setting of intra-articular distal radius fractures, the volar lunate facet (VLF) is the only articular segment that resists volar carpal subluxation. So, it is important to achieve a stable fixation of this key fragment. The VLF, when small (also called as volar marginal fragment, VMF) is located distal to the watershed line making fixation with the conventional volar locking plates difficult or impossible.Methods18 patients with either an AO: 2R3B3 or a C3 fracture consisting of a VMF underwent surgical repair through a volar approach. The VMF was stabilised using a anatomical volar hook plate. Remaining fracture components were stabilised using 2.4/ 2.0 mm locked plates. Fracture healing, ability of the hook plate to maintain reduction of the VMF and complications were assessed during follow up. Functional outcome was evaluated using Mayo score and patient rated wrist evaluation questionnaires.ResultsAll fractures united at follow up. Reduction of the VMF was maintained through healing with a stable radiocarpal and distal radioulnar joint. The mean flexion - extension wrist arc was 105° ± 10.2° The mean grip strength reached 74.6 ± 6% of the opposite side. The mean Mayo wrist score was 75 ± 5.3 and the mean patient rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) score was 15.2 ± 4.3 indicating recovery of wrist function.ConclusionIt is important to identify VMFs in intra-articular distal radius fractures. Anatomically designed volar hook plate achieves excellent low-profile stable fixation of this key fragment to allow early mobilisation without fearing loss of reduction and volar carpal subluxation.