Management of greater arc carpal fractures

Greater arc injuries are fracture dislocations that involve the perilunar carpal bones. The commonest of these injuries is the dorsal transscaphoid perilunate fracture dislocation. The recommended treatment for acute injuries is open reduction and Kirschner wire fixation of the scaphoid fracture through a dorsal midline approach. Stability to the midcarpal joint is thus provided and no further pins are needed. Established scaphoid nonunions are treated by bone grafting and Herbert screw fixation through a volar approach. Scaphocapitate fracture syndrome is treated by open reduction and pin fixation of the displaced capitate fragment through the dorsal approach. If the scaphoid is displaced it is also openly reduced and pinned.     

Open reduction and internal fixation of acute displaced scaphoid waist fractures

Fourteen consecutive patients with acute displaced scaphoid waist fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. The operative technique consisted of anatomic reduction of the displaced scaphoid waist fracture, correction of carpal instability, radial bone grafting for comminution, and internal fixation with K-wires or Herbert screw. The patients were evaluated an average of 26 months (range, 4-48 months) after surgery. Thirteen of the 14 (93%) fractures united. The average time to union was 11.5 weeks (range, 8-20 weeks). Fracture union was confirmed with trispiral tomography. Final radiographic assessment consistently revealed a healed scaphoid fracture, restored intrascaphoid alignment, and no evidence of carpal instability. All patients regained functional wrist range of motion (wrist extension, 57 degrees; wrist flexion, 52 degrees ) and grip strength. Open reduction and internal fixation of acute displaced scaphoid waist fractures restores scaphoid alignment and leads to predictable union. Early operative intervention avoids malunion and carpal instability that often occurs with closed management of these complex fractures.     

Internal fixation of capitellar fractures using Herbert screws: a report of four cases

Four patients with displaced fractures of the capitellum (capitulum humeri) were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using Herbert screws. The mean follow-up was 16 months (range from 12 to 21 months). All fractures united without evidence of avascular necrosis. Postoperatively, the range of motion was excellent, except in one patient who had a comminuted open fracture and other injuries. Three cadaveric dissections demonstrated that the Herbert screw could be inserted without detaching the lateral collateral ligament. The Herbert screw is useful in treating displaced capitellar fractures since the jig maintains the reduction and the screw, compressing the fracture site, is buried beneath the articular cartilage and does not have to be removed.     

Surgical treatment of pediatric scaphoid fracture nonunions

Scaphoid fractures in the pediatric population are uncommon but can usually be successfully managed with standard immobilization techniques. However, nonunions of pediatric scaphoid wrist fractures have been reported. We present the treatment and outcome of 13 pediatric scaphoid fracture nonunions in 12 children treated over an 18-year period. The average time elapsed between time of fracture and time of surgery was 16.7 months. Four of the nonunions were treated by using the Matti-Russe procedure, and nine were treated with Herbert screw fixation and iliac crest bone grafting. The average time of follow-up was 6.9 years (range, 2-19 years). All cases went on to clinical and radiographic union. There was no statistically significant difference in range of motion or strength between the operative and nonoperative wrist. Eleven of 12 patients demonstrated an excellent rating based on the Mayo Modified Wrist score. The length of time for postoperative immobilization in the Herbert screw group was significantly less than that in the Matti-Russe group. Currently our standard approach to the treatment of scaphoid fracture nonunions in the skeletally immature patient is the use of the Herbert screw and iliac crest bone graft.     

Severely displaced scaphoid fracture treated by arthroscopic assisted reduction and osteosynthesis

The severely displaced scaphoid fracture, when combined with a scapholunate dissociation, is a very rare condition that commonly is treated by open surgery. The authors present a case treated by arthroscopic-assisted closed reduction, using percutaneous pinning for the scapholunate dissociation and a Herbert/Whipple screw insertion for the scaphoid fracture. The patient was able to return to work four months after surgery. At twenty-seven months after surgery, both the patient's grip power and range of motion in the wrist were acceptable. The authors recommend this procedure as a minimally invasive operation.     

Internal fixation of an unstable open fracture of a distal phalanx with a Herbert screw

A 20-year-old patient was seen with an unstable, infected, open fracture of the distal phalanx of the long finger of the right dominant hand. The patient was treated by removal of the nail, debridement of the fracture site, and stabilization of the fracture with a Herbert screw. The Herbert screw compressed the fracture site and allowed early active motion of the distal inter-phalangeal (DIP) joint. The wound healed without incident, and the fracture was radiographically united 6 weeks after the procedure. The Herbert screw is useful in the treatment of unstable fractures of the distal phalanx, since the screw maintains reduction, compresses the fracture site, and allows early active motion of the DIP joint.     

Retrograde compression screw fixation of acute proximal pole scaphoid fractures

Seventeen consecutive patients with acute unstable proximal pole scaphoid fractures were managed over the past 5 years with open reduction and internal fixation. Four fractures were displaced, with greater than 1 mm of fragment offset and intercarpal malalignment. The operative technique consisted of a dorsal approach to the scaphoid, radius bone grafting, and freehand retrograde Herbert compression screw fixation. The patients were evaluated at an average of 37 months (range, 12-63 months) after surgery. All fractures healed within 13 weeks (average, 10 weeks). Functional wrist range of motion and grip strength were achieved in all patients. No patients developed osteonecrosis or radioscaphoid arthritis. Open reduction and internal fixation rather than primary casting is a better means of reducing the complications of delayed union, nonunion, and irreparable osteonecrosis that often occur after acute proximal pole scaphoid fracture treated with cast immobilization.     

早期切开复位Herbert螺钉内固定治疗经舟骨月骨周围脱位

目的 评价早期切开复位、Herbert螺钉内固定治疗经舟骨月骨周围脱位的临床效果.方法 早期采用切开复位、Herbert螺钉内固定治疗新鲜经舟骨月骨周围脱位8例,术后随访X线片了解骨折愈合情况及腕关节轴线恢复情况.Cooney腕关节评分法评价术后腕关节功能恢复程度,DASH问卷调查表行术后腕关节功能自我评价.结果 术后随访时间为7～35个月,平均14个月.根据Cooney腕关节评分:优3例,良2例,中2例,差1例;平均评分值为76.DASH评分值为27.X线片检查舟骨完全愈合,腕关节轴线恢复好.结论 早期切开复位Herbert螺钉内固定能达到舟骨解剖复位、恢复腕关节轴线,术后功能恢复较好,是治疗新鲜经舟骨月骨周围脱位较好的方法.     

Screw fixation of scaphoid fractures: a biomechanical assessment of screw length and screw augmentation

PURPOSE: To assess the biomechanical stability relative to screw length and K-wire augmentation in scaphoid fracture fixation using a flexibility testing protocol and cadaver scaphoids whose soft tissue attachments remained undisturbed. Our hypothesis was 2-fold: increasing screw length and augmenting fixation with a K-wire would improve fracture fragment stability, individually and in combination. METHODS: Flexion and extension loading applied through wrist tendons was performed on 10 cadaveric wrists after volar wedge scaphoid osteotomy and internal fixation. Each wrist participated in 3 experimental groups: short screw, long screw, and long screw augmented with a K-wire transfixing the distal pole to the capitate. Interfragmentary displacements were measured. RESULTS: Analysis of variance showed significantly less fracture fragment motion with longer screws than with short screws in 4 of the 6 displacement axes. The flexion/extension axis rotations for the short, long, and augmented long-screw groups were 8.2 degrees +/- 4.8 degrees, 3.9 degrees +/- 1.6 degrees, and 1.8 degrees +/- 1.3 degrees, respectively. Although K-wire augmentation reduced displacement of the fracture fragments it did not decrease interfragmentary motion significantly when compared with the long-screw group. CONCLUSIONS: Under physiologically applied loading of cadaveric wrists with unstable scaphoid waist fractures the long screw provided significantly greater stability than the short screw. Although K-wire augmentation in the long-screw group did improve stability the improvements were not significant. Based in part on the biomechanical data from this study it is our recommendation that the optimally placed screw for scaphoid fracture fixation stability is a long screw positioned down the central axis of the scaphoid deep into subchondral bone.     

Does the term scaphocapitate syndrome need to be revised? A report of 6 cases

This is a retrospective study of six patients with displaced fractures of the neck of the capitate. In four of the six patients the diagnosis was delayed by at least 1 week. After open reduction and internal fixation the results were assessed as excellent (three cases), fair (two cases) or poor (one case). In all cases there was a concomitant injury to the radial side of the wrist: in four cases this was a fracture of the waist of the scaphoid. In five of the six cases there was also an injury to the ulnar side of the wrist. As a scaphoid fracture does not always occur with the fracture of the neck of the capitate, we consider the term "scaphocapitate syndrome" inappropriate for this injury.     

闭合复位经皮Herbert螺钉内固定治疗新鲜稳定型舟骨腰部骨折

目的：观察闭合复位经皮Herbert螺钉内固定治疗新鲜稳定型舟骨腰部骨折的临床疗效。方法对采用闭合复位经皮Herbert螺钉内固定治疗的12例新鲜稳定型舟骨腰部骨折患者进行随访,采用修订后Mayo腕关节评分标准对临床效果进行评价。结果所有患者均获得随访,随访时间13~23个月（平均15个月）,无感染、螺钉松动、过敏排斥反应及关节炎的发生。所有患者骨折均愈合,骨折愈合时间为8~14周,平均10周。按修订后Mayo腕关节评分标准：优7例,良4例,可1例,优良率91.7%。结论闭合复位经皮Herbert螺钉内固定治疗新鲜稳定型舟骨腰部骨折,具有操作简单,固定可靠,并发症少及能早期进行功能锻炼等优点。     

背侧入路经皮加压螺钉内固定治疗舟骨骨折的临床研究

目的介绍背侧入路经皮加压螺钉内固定治疗舟骨骨折的适应证、手术方法和疗效。方法2009年4~10月,采用背侧入路经皮加压螺钉固定小切口空心钉技术治疗6例急性舟骨骨折的患者,骨折分型为HerbertB2,B3型。术中以Lister结节为标志,于其远端0·5~1cm处触及舟骨近极,在导针引导、C型臂监视下、沿舟骨轴线打入合适长度的加压螺钉。结果6例患者均有初步随访资料,随访时间为4至6个月,平均5个月。B2型骨折平均愈合时间为8周,B3型骨折平均愈合时间为12周;恢复工作时间平均为14d;活动度达到健侧90%以上;无疼痛等不适感觉。没有并发症。结论背侧入路经皮加压螺钉技术治疗急性舟骨骨折创伤小,根据骨折类型不需外固定或外固定时间较保守治疗缩短,愈合率高,治疗结果满意。     

Experimental corrective scaphoid osteotomy for scaphoid malunion with abnormal wrist mechanics

Two cases of painful posttraumatic scaphoid malunion (hump-back deformity) associated with dorsal intercalated segmental instability deformity and limitation of wrist motion are presented. Carpal alignment and wrist motion improved after an experimental opening wedge scaphoid osteotomy with iliac bone graft and Herbert screw fixation. The scaphoid deformities (angulation and shortening) were effectively corrected.     

两种方法治疗桡骨小头骨折的疗效研究

目的 比较Herbert螺钉与微型接骨板治疗桡骨小头骨折的临床疗效.方法 将23例桡骨小头骨折患者分为2组,分别采用Herbert螺钉与微型接骨板固定并进行早期功能锻炼.Herbert螺钉组13例,其中男8例,女5例,年龄23～55岁,平均32.6岁;微型接骨板内固定组10例,男6例,女4例,年龄21～53岁,平均32.5岁.对2组患者的肘关节功能、骨折愈合情况、肌力、并发症进行比较.结果 2组病例随访2年,骨折均愈合良好,两组Broberg和Morrey评分比较,Herbert螺钉组优于微型接骨板组(P＜0.01),术后并发症发生率Herbert螺钉组低于微型接骨板组(P＜0.05),两组差异比较有统计学意义.结论 Herbert螺钉内固定治疗桡骨小头骨折疗效优于微型接骨板内固定.     

Herbert screw fixation of fracture of the head of the radius

Herbert screw fixation of simple displaced fractures of the radial head involving up to one-half the articular surface is a reliable and effective technique. Following accurate reduction, the fracture surfaces are compressed with the Herbert scaphoid clamp and internally fixed with a Herbert screw, which is appropriately buried beneath the articular cartilage. Preliminary observations on two cases demonstrate rapid union and return of function occurring with anatomic reduction and sound fixation.     

Chronic transscaphoid,transcapitate perilunate fracture dislocation of the wrist: Fenton's syndrome

The authors report about chronic Fenton's syndrome. This rare injury of the wrist is characterized by scapho-capitate fracture accompanied by 180° rotation of the head of capitate and associated perilunate dislocation. Two patients suffering from chronic Fenton's syndrome were treated with pyrocarbon capitate resurfacing prosthesis. Patients were evaluated according to the wrist range of motion, Mayo modified wrist and DASH scores. In conclusion, prosthetic surgery may achieve satisfactory results for this rare and diagnostically challenging syndrome.     

Isolated fracture of the capitate with proximal pole dorsal dislocation. A case report

Isolated fractures of the capitate are uncommon. We report a rare case of isolated fracture of the capitate with dorsal dislocation of the proximal pole. After open reduction and K-wire fixation the fracture united, and a full range of wrist motion was achieved. No signs of avascular necrosis were observed after 3 years.     

Unusual case of isolated lunate fracture without ligamentous injury

Fractures of the lunate are rare injuries that usually result from high-energy trauma and are typically associated with other carpal and ligamentous injuries. The incidence of lunate fractures has been cited as 0.5% to 6.5% of all carpal fractures. These fractures are not frequently reported in the literature, and no consensus exists on the treatment of these injuries in the acute and chronic setting. The mechanism typically producing this fracture is a loading force applied to a dorsiflexed, ulnarly deviated wrist such that the capitate is driven downward into the lunate.No prior reports exist in the literature of an isolated fracture of the lunate without perilunate dislocation or ligament disruption. This article reports a case of an isolated displaced transverse shear fracture of the lunate seen 3 months after initial injury, which was successfully treated using a volar and dorsal combined approach and open reduction and internal fixation using microscrews. Bony union across the fracture site was obtained by 7-week follow-up and continued to show improved consolidation through 10-month follow-up. The patient had decreased pain, normal range of motion, and no radiographic evidence of lunate osteonecrosis on most recent follow-up despite the delayed presentation and degree of fracture displacement. This case demonstrates a previously unreported type of wrist injury.     

应用掌侧小切口空心钉技术治疗新鲜舟骨骨折

目的 探讨应用掌侧小切口空心钉技术治疗新鲜舟骨骨折的疗效. 方法 2003年1月至2007年12月期间采用小切口空心钉技术治疗16例新鲜舟骨骨折,骨折按Herbert分型:A2型11例,B2型5例,其中2例合并桡骨远端骨折.术中以舟骨结节为中心,在腕关节掌桡侧做2 am长小切口,切除大多角骨基底掌侧关节面后,在导针引导、C型臂监视下于舟骨轴线上打入AO空心加压螺钉,术后不需外固定. 结果 16例中12例获得完整随访,时间6～55个月,平均18个月.骨折平均愈合时间42 d,恢复工作时间平均10 d(3～28 d).10例活动度与健侧相同,2例桡偏和掌屈欠50°10例无疼痛等不适感觉,2例腕关节掌屈时感轻度疼痛,无其他严重并发症. 结论 掌侧小切口空心钉固定舟骨腰部骨折具有方法简单、创伤小、不需外固定、愈合率高等优点,治疗结果满意.     

Percutaneous Herbert screw fixation for fractures of the scaphoid: review of 30 cases

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of percutaneous fixation of undisplaced or minimally displaced fractures of the scaphoid using the first generation Herbert screw in terms of union, functional results and scaphoid mobility. METHODS: 30 of the 50 patients operated on in our department between 1995 and 2000 were available for evaluation by an independent observer. Wrist mobility, grip strength and key pinch were measured. Scaphoid mobility was evaluated by measuring radioscaphoid angles in flexed and extended positions on dynamic X-rays. RESULTS: The union rate was comparable to that achieved by non-operative management (90%). Resumption of professional activities was possible long before bony union because immobilization was short. Grip strength, wrist and scaphoid mobilities were comparable to the controlateral sides except for scaphoid flexion. Persistent symptoms were found in 30% of the patients despite union of their fracture. DISCUSSION: Our results demonstrate that percutaneous stabilization of undisplaced or minimally displaced fractures of the scaphoid preserves the mobility of the wrist and minimally alters the normal dynamics of the carpus. The duration of work inability is short.