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A A Pract 2019 Jan 3. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Departement of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Rodez General Hospital, Rodez, France.

The outcome of upper limb tendon transfer surgery is improved when the patient is able to voluntarily contract specific muscles during the surgical procedure. Tumescent local anesthesia is suitable, but we describe an alternative option that involves the novel management of an axillary block. A 47-year-old man, injured in a motor vehicle crash, exhibited a thumb extensor deficit because of severe muscular trauma to the forearm. Read More

Adv Ther 2019 Jan 27;36(1):187-199. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

University of Nevada at Reno, Reno, NV, USA.

Introduction: The objective of the study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of repeated incobotulinumtoxinA injections for the treatment of upper-limb post-stroke spasticity in adults.

Methods: Adults 18-80 years of age with post-stroke upper-limb spasticity who completed the 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled main period (MP) of a phase 3 trial (NCT01392300) were eligible to enrol in the 36-week open-label extension period (OLEX). The OLEX included three treatment cycles at fixed 12-week injection intervals; subjects were injected with 400 U incobotulinumtoxinA into the affected upper limb. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Nov 19. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neurosciences Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Electronic address:

Background: First carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis (OA) is commonly encountered in clinical practice. The preferred surgical option when conservative therapy fails varies with the stage and nature of the disease. Denervation of the first CMC joint is a relatively new procedure for managing stable thumb CMC joint OA. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2018 Nov 9. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Department of Plastic Surgery, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address:

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the durability of the treatment results of the thumb and first web contractures in Dupuytren disease with collagenase Clostridium histolyticum.

Methods: Twelve patients (14 hands) were followed for an average of 35 months (range, 24-42 months). Two patients (3 hands) were excluded, yielding 11 hands available for assessment. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Nov;97(45):e13123

College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.

Rationale: Sprains, stretching or tearing of ligaments are common injuries. Clinicians should try to prevent acupuncture-associated vasovagal responses (AAVR) when treating patients with such injuries. In this study, we report the treatment of frequent sprains of various body parts in a patient with a history of AAVR using only TA (a 7-herb extract consisting of Scutellaria baicalensis, Phellodendron amurense, Pulsatilla koreana, Sophora tonkinensis, Aucklandia lappa, Aquilaria agallocha, and Carthamus tinctorius L. Read More

RMD Open 2018 11;4(2):e000734. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.

To update the evidence on efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological, pharmacological and surgical interventions for hand osteoarthritis (OA), a systematic literature review was performed up to June 2017, including (randomised) controlled trials or Cochrane systematic reviews. Main efficacy outcomes were pain, function and hand strength. Risk of bias was assessed. Read More

Cartilage 2018 Oct 20:1947603518805230. Epub 2018 Oct 20.

1 2nd Orthopaedic Department, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Konstantopoulio Hospital of Nea Ionia "Agia Olga", Athens, Greece.

Various systematic reviews have recently shown that intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (IA-PRP) can lead to symptomatic relief of knee osteoarthritis for up to 12 months. There exist limited data on its use in small joints, such as the trapeziometacarpal joint (TMJ) or carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) of the thumb. A prospective, randomized, blind, controlled, clinical trial of 33 patients with clinical and radiographic osteoarthritis of the TMJ (grades: I-III according to the Eaton and Littler classification) was conducted. Read More

J Hand Surg Eur Vol 2018 Dec 18;43(10):1106-1110. Epub 2018 Oct 18.

3 Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

Truven MarketScan® Databases were used to identify patients with thumb carpometacarpal arthritis who underwent surgical treatment. Pre-operative corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections were identified, as were post-operative complications. Multivariable regressions assessed the relationship between injections and complications. Read More

Rev Bras Ortop 2018 Sep-Oct;53(5):575-581. Epub 2018 Aug 2.

Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp), Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Objective: The goal of this study was to describe anatomical variations and clinical implications of anterior interosseous nerve. In complete anterior interosseous nerve palsy, the patient is unable to flex the distal phalanx of the thumb and index finger; in incomplete anterior interosseous nerve palsy, there is less axonal damage, and either the thumb or the index finger are affected.

Methods: This study was based on the dissection of 50 limbs of 25 cadavers, 22 were male and three, female. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Aug 29;2018. Epub 2018 Aug 29.

Plastic Surgery, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.

Local corticosteroid injections are frequently used in the management of trigger finger. We present a case of a 56-year-old woman who developed an acute horseshoe abscess of the hand after injection of corticosteroid and local anaesthetic into the left thumb. This was managed successfully with intravenous antibiotics, operative intervention and early mobilisation. Read More

J Pharmacopuncture 2017 Sep 30;20(3):227-229. Epub 2017 Sep 30.

Health Science Unit (PEC), Hong Kong Physically Handicapped & Able Bodied Association, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Fibrosis of skeletal muscle following acupuncture is an iatrogenic disorder. The present case illustrates a patient with a unilateral fibrotic formation on a thumb muscle after acupuncture injection therapy with red sage. The patient in the present case was a counter-terrorism police officer with right-handedness; he noted a palpable nodule three months after injection therapy at his left first dorsal interosseous in which the acupuncture point LI4 (He Gu) is located. Read More

Hand (N Y) 2018 Jul 30:1558944718791187. Epub 2018 Jul 30.

1 Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, USA.

Background: De Quervain tenosynovitis is commonly seen in patients who perform repetitive wrist ulnar deviation with thumb abduction and extension. Previous studies comparing nonsurgical options have contributed to a lack of consensus about ideal management. This study's purpose was to analyze results in prospectively randomized patients treated with either corticosteroid injection (CSI) alone versus CSI with immobilization. Read More

Clin Med Insights Arthritis Musculoskelet Disord 2018 21;11:1179544118782901. Epub 2018 Jun 21.

Service de Rhumatologie, Hôpital Nord Franche-Comté, Belfort, France.

Purpose: To assess safety and search predictive factors of efficacy of a single intra-articular injection of a mannitol-modified hyaluronic acid (HA) viscosupplement, in patients having trapeziometacarpal (TMC) osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Patients with symptomatic TMC OA, not adequately relieved by analgesic therapy and/or by the use of a thumb splint, were included in a 3-month prospective multicentre open-label trial. All underwent plain radiographs with the Kapandji incidences allowing the Dell radiological grade assessment (1-4). Read More

J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2018 Aug;26(16):562-571

From University Orthopedics and the Department of Orthopaedics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University (Dr. Weiss), and the Department of Orthopaedics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI (Dr. Goodman).

The thumb basal joint is the second most common site of osteoarthritis in the hand, and osteoarthritis of this joint can contribute to painful movement and debilitating function. To achieve a high degree of prehensile and manipulative function, this highly mobile joint is constrained by both the saddle morphology of the trapezium and a stout complement of ligamentous constraints. The disease proceeds progressively with several wear patterns. Read More

BMJ Open 2018 Jun 30;8(6):e022337. Epub 2018 Jun 30.

AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Centre-Groupe Hospitalier Cochin, Service de Rééducation et de Réadaptation de l'Appareil Locomoteur et des Pathologies du Rachis, Paris, France.

Introduction: Recent studies have suggested that intra-articular injection of botulinum toxin A (BTA) may have analgesic effects in degenerative joint diseases. We aim to assess the efficacy of intra-articular injection of BTA associated with splinting in patients with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMC OA).

Methods And Analysis: We will conduct a randomised double-blind controlled trial. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2019 Jan 20;44(1):64.e1-64.e8. Epub 2018 Jun 20.

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Electronic address:

Purpose: To determine the innervation pattern to the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint and assess the safety and efficacy of selective joint denervation for the treatment of pain and impairment associated with thumb CMC arthritis.

Methods: Cadaveric dissections were performed in 10 fresh upper extremities to better define the innervation patterns to the CMC joint and guide the surgical approach for CMC joint denervation. Histologic confirmation of candidate nerves was performed with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Read More

Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg 2018 Sep;22(3):120-123

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

A simple, reproducible technique for assessing the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint radiographically is described. In addition to its diagnostic value, the technique is simple to perform with a minifluoroscopy unit, allowing for image-guided injections of the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint. Read More

J Rural Med 2018 May 29;13(1):76-81. Epub 2018 May 29.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Tsukuba University Hospital Mito Clinical Education and Training Center, Japan.

As a minimal invasive surgery for the treatment of thumb carpometacarpal joint (trapeziometacarpal [TMC]) arthritis, we performed an arthroscopic synovectomy for Eaton stage II to IV arthritis. We included patients who were effectively treated with a corticosteroid injection, experienced recurrence of TMC pain, and had no major instability of the TMC. Surgery was performed in 17 female patients. Read More

Dtsch Arztebl Int 2018 Apr;115(16):269-275

Department of Hand Surgery, Vulpius Hospital, Bad Rappenau; Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim; Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Cologne University Hospital, Cologne; Department of Trauma, Hand, and Plastic Surgery, Münster University Hospital, Münster.

Background: Primary finger and thumb joint arthritis is common, with a markedly rising prevalence from age 50 onward. As the population as a whole ages, the need for effective, stage-appropriate treatment of this condition is increasing.

Methods: This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search in the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases. Read More

J Hand Surg Asian Pac Vol 2018 Jun;23(2):163-169

* Department of Orthopaedics, Phramongkutklao Hospital and College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand.

Background: This study was designed to compare the efficacy and complications between 3 different dosages of triamcinolone acetonide for the treatment of trigger finger.

Methods: Ninety-three patients with a total of 120 trigger digits were included in the study. The involved digits were randomized to 3 groups. Read More

Pain Pract 2018 Nov 17;18(8):979-987. Epub 2018 Apr 17.

Faculty of Art & Design, University of New South Wales Sydney, Paddington, New South Wales, Australia.

Objective: The objective of this pilot study was to assess the acceptability and feasibility of using BrightHearts, a biofeedback-assisted relaxation application (app), in children undergoing painful procedures.

Methods: Thirty children 7 to 18 years of age undergoing a medical procedure (peripheral blood collection, botulinum toxin injection, or intravenous cannula insertion) participated. Participants used BrightHearts, a heart rate-controlled biofeedback-assisted relaxation training app delivered via an iPad with heart rate measured through a pulse oximeter worn on the ear or thumb. Read More

Phytomedicine 2018 Mar 13;42:51-55. Epub 2018 Mar 13.

Korean Medicine (KM)-Application Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM), 70 Cheomdan-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Background: In the East Asia, the genus Acer (Aceraceae) is a herbal medicine that is used to treat various diseases, including hemostasis, hepatic disorders, traumatic bleeding and poor eyesight. However, the effects of Acer palmatum thumb. on retinal degeneration are unknown. Read More

J Wrist Surg 2018 Apr 24;7(2):156-159. Epub 2017 Jul 24.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

 We report the use of botulinum toxin to aid in the treatment of chronic radial collateral ligament insufficiency of the thumb.  Treatment included autograft tendon reconstruction and cast immobilization. Six weeks postoperatively, prior to hand therapy, the patient underwent an ultrasound-guided botulinum neurotoxin A injection into the adductor pollicis muscle to negate its deforming forces on the reconstruction. Read More

Ann Rehabil Med 2018 Feb 28;42(1):92-100. Epub 2018 Feb 28.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

Objective: To compare extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) with hyaluronic acid (HA) intra-articular injections in terms of pain relief, improvement in hand function, and strength in subjects with first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis.

Methods: Fifty-eight patients received either focused ESWT or HA injection once a week for 3 consecutive weeks. In the ESWT group, 2,400 consecutive pulses were performed during each treatment session using a frequency of 4 Hz and an energy flux density of 0. Read More

Dtsch Arztebl Int 2018 Feb;115(5):59-64

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Marburg UKGM GmbH, Marburg, Germany; Department of Dentistry, Oral Medicine and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany; CMD-Centrum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.

Background: The estimated incidence of temporomandibular joint dislocation in Germany is at least 25/100 000 per year. A correct diagnosis and the initiation of appropriate treatment without delay are essential if permanent damage to the joint is to be avoided.

Methods: This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a systematic search in the PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and ZB Med databases. Read More

J Pain Res 2017 13;10:2803-2806. Epub 2017 Dec 13.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.

Inadvertent intra-arterial drug injection occurs rarely, but it can cause very serious clinical complications, and thus, awareness of inadvertent intra-arterial drug injection is needed. The complications mainly result from iatrogenic reasons and can occur because of vascular variations in the arteries, under circumstances where normal intravenous injection is difficult, or in drug abusers who perform self-injection. The adverse effect associated with intra-arterial drug injection is serious and may lead to necrosis, requiring amputation of the affected extremity, infection, pseudoaneurysm, rhabdomyolysis, compartment syndrome, and permanent disability. Read More

Dtsch Arztebl Int 2017 Nov;114(47):804

Paediatr Anaesth 2018 02 5;28(2):134-141. Epub 2017 Dec 5.

Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Background And Aim: Trigger thumb is a common hand disability in children and is primarily treated with open surgery. A conscious median nerve block can usually meet the requirements for trigger thumb-releasing surgery in adults; however, its effectiveness in children requires further clarification. The present study aims to demonstrate whether ultrasound-guided lower forearm median nerve blockade is a viable option for children undergoing open surgery for trigger thumb. Read More

J Biol Regul Homeost Agents 2017 12 27;31(4 Suppl 2):45-53. Epub 2017 Dec 27.

University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the base of the thumb, also known as Trapezio-Metacarpal (TM) OA, is a disabling condition, which mainly affects women and manual workers. When TM OA is not adequately treated, patients develop deformity and loss of function of the thumb. The surgical approach is a widespread strategy to treat this condition, but there is still no consensus on the most effective procedure. Read More

BMJ 2017 11 30;359:j5285. Epub 2017 Nov 30.

Princess Road Surgery, Withington, Manchester, UK.

Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir 2017 Oct 17;49(5):288-296. Epub 2017 Oct 17.

Preliminary data suggest that an intraarticular autologous fat transplant may be useful in osteoarthritis (OA) of the CMC-1 joint. This prospective, non-randomised pilot study investigates this new method with a view to clinical outcomes compared with intraarticular corticosteroid injection. 17 women and 7 men with an average age of 63. Read More

World J Orthop 2017 Aug 18;8(8):619-623. Epub 2017 Aug 18.

Konstantine Balakatounis, Neurology Institute of Athens, 10676 Athens, Greece.

Intersection syndrome is a rare sports overuse injury occurring through friction at the intersection of the first and second compartment of the forearm. Differential diagnosis must be carefully made, especially from De Quervain tendonsynovitis. Clinical examination provides with the necessary information for diagnosis, still magnetic resonance imaging scans and ultrasonography may assist in diagnosis. Read More

J Hand Microsurg 2017 Aug 5;9(2):80-83. Epub 2017 Jun 5.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.

 Currently no guidelines exist for the timing of the injection of anesthetics in surgeries performed under general anesthesia to minimize postoperative pain. To better understand the role of timing of the injection of local anesthesia in hand surgery performed under general anesthesia, we evaluated the effect of pre- versus postincisional local analgesic injection on immediate postoperative pain experience. We hypothesize that the preincisional (preemptive) injection will result in decreased immediate postoperative pain experience and analgesic use when compared with postincisional injection. Read More

Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2018 Aug 30;99(8):1635-1649.e21. Epub 2017 Aug 30.

Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC - University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Objectives: To provide an evidence-based overview of the effectiveness of conservative and (post)surgical interventions for trigger finger, Dupuytren disease, and De Quervain disease.

Data Sources: Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL were searched to identify relevant systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Data Selection: Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria to select potential studies. Read More

Hand (N Y) 2017 09 3;12(5):NP78-NP83. Epub 2016 Oct 3.

1 Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.

Background: Flexor tendon ruptures in the wrist are uncommon. Flexor carpi radialis (FCR) tendon rupture can occur in rheumatoid patients, following cortisone injection for tenosynovitis, and following trauma. Following tendon rupture, tethering of the ruptured FCR tendon, or pseudotendon, can form which may or may not be symptomatic. Read More

Hand (N Y) 2018 Sep 20;13(5):558-562. Epub 2017 Aug 20.

1 Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.

Background: This study assessed nighttime splinting for 6 weeks as treatment for recent onset idiopathic trigger fingers.

Methods: Patients over 18 years with a Quinnell grade 1 or 2, idiopathic trigger finger or thumb causing symptoms for less than 3 months were eligible for a custom-made hand-based orthoplast night orthotic. Improvement of symptoms and/or resolution of triggering were recorded. Read More

J Hand Surg Asian Pac Vol 2017 Sep;22(3):380-383

1 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kikkoman General Hospital, Chiba, Japan.

We experienced two cases of flexor tendons rupture after triamcinolone acetate (TA) injection for trigger finger. A 45-year-old man underwent injection of 40 mg of TA and 1 mL of 1% lidocaine solution into his little finger. While playing golf 3 months after the injection, he heard a popping sound, and was unable to flex it. Read More

Hand (N Y) 2017 11 1;12(6):591-596. Epub 2017 Feb 1.

2 University of Cincinnati, OH, USA.

Background: The aim of the study is to determine the accuracy of hand injections with and without the aid of ultrasound (U/S) into the carpal tunnel, thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, first dorsal compartment (DC) and the radiocarpal (RC) joint.

Methods: Four participants of various level of experience injected the carpal tunnel, thumb CMC, first DC, and RC joint into 40 fresh frozen cadaver specimens with blue dye and radiographic contrast. Participants 1 and 2 were injected without U/S guidance, and participants 3 and 4 were injected with U/S guidance. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2017 Oct 5;44:234-236. Epub 2017 Jul 5.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common and sometimes challenging condition, which causes pain; paresthesia; tingling of the thumb, index and long fingers; and even thenar weakness in the hands. The effectiveness of corticosteroid injections seems to be transient, and there is a lack of information around long-term effects in previous studies. In recent years, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has proven to bean alternative as it encourages tissue regeneration. Read More

Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2017 Dec;96(12):904-907

From the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio (SWB, JM, KJG, IM, SG, MM, DJB); Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Urology (KJG), Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (SWB), Cleveland, Ohio; Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio (SWB); Cleveland Veterans Affairs Functional Electrical Stimulation Center, Cleveland, Ohio (SWB, KJG, DJB); and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio (DJB).

From the perspective of a multidisciplinary team, the authors describe the first reported use of ultrasound guidance for steroid injection into the pisotriquetral joint to relieve wrist pain of a person with spinal cord injury undergoing acute inpatient rehabilitation. Musculoskeletal ultrasound guidance was used to improve the accuracy of a corticosteroid injection of the pisotriquetral joint and the basal thumb in a 70-year-old man with paraplegia experiencing multifocal degenerative wrist pain. There was no bleeding or bruising after the injections, and the patient reported complete pain resolution 1 wk after the injections, which continued for over 1 yr. Read More

Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi 2017 Mar;35(3):205-208

Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China.

To investigate bloodborne occupational exposure and related protection in the medical staff of a traditional Chinese medicine hospital, and to provide a reference for reducing the risk of bloodborne occupational exposure. Fortyeight medical workers with bloodborne occupational exposure in 2015 were selected to analyze the incidence of bloodborne occupational exposure, influencing factors, operations that caused bloodborne occupational exposure, pathogens, and occupational protection. The incidence rate of bloodborne occupational exposure in the medical staff of the traditional Chinese medicine hospital in 2015 was 3. Read More

J Hand Surg Asian Pac Vol 2017 Jun;22(2):188-193

‡ 1st Propedeutic Surgical Clinic, Aristotle's University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Trigger finger is a mechanical problem with many etiological factors as possible causes, such as diabetes mellitus, carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive finger movements. Although it can afflict anyone, it is much commoner in middle-aged women than men and the most commonly involved digit is reported to be the thumb. The diagnosis is mainly based on clinical symptoms during examination and first-line treatment is conservative with splinting and corticosteroid injections. Read More

J Hand Surg Eur Vol 2017 Jun 21;42(5):473-480. Epub 2016 Dec 21.

5 Hand Unit, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK.

The aim of this systematic review was to develop an evidence-based guideline to assist clinicians in the treatment of adult trigger digits. There is moderate evidence to suggest that local corticosteroid injection is a safe and effective short-term treatment and it may, therefore, be recommended as an initial treatment for this condition. However, when compared with surgery, there is strong evidence that corticosteroid injection is associated with increased rates of ongoing or recurrent symptoms at 6 months after intervention. Read More

J Wrist Surg 2017 May 14;6(2):126-133. Epub 2016 Oct 14.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Trauma Training Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.

 The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire is the most commonly used instrument to assess outcomes of basal joint arthritis (BJA). However, the DASH is subject to influence by the entire upper extremity.  This study aims to develop and validate a disease-specific questionnaire for BJA that would be more sensitive to changes in thumb function and pain, and correlate better with objective and subjective metrics. Read More

Open Access Rheumatol 2017 27;9:61-66. Epub 2017 Mar 27.

Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Parc Taulí University Hospital, Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain.

Introduction: Osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint of the thumb - also known as rhizarthrosis - is painful and has a significant impact on quality of life. Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid may potentially meet the need for effective, minimally invasive intervention in patients not responding adequately to initial treatment. We aimed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of viscosupplementation with Durolane (NASHA nonanimal hyaluronic acid) in rhizarthrosis. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2017 Apr;42(4):227-235

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Electronic address:

Purpose: To quantify the long-term success of repeat injections for trigger fingers and to identify predictors of treatment outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective case series analyzed 292 repeat corticosteroid injections for trigger fingers administered by hand surgeons at a single tertiary center between January 2010 and January 2013. One hundred eighty-seven patients (64%) were female, 139 patients (48%) had multiple trigger fingers, and 63 patients (22%) were diabetic. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg 2017 Aug;140(2):327-335

Hameln, Leverkusen, and Oldenburg, Germany From the Department of Plastic, Aesthetic Surgery, and Hand Surgery, Sana Klinikum Hameln Pyrmont; Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, Klinikum Leverkusen; and the Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie/Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Klinikum Oldenburg.

Background: Most operations for carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis of the thumb irreversibly alter or destroy the anatomy. There is a high demand for minimally invasive alternatives. The authors report the results of autologous fat transfer for treatment of thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. Read More

J Cosmet Laser Ther 2017 Aug 31;19(4):225-226. Epub 2017 Jan 31.

a Kangbuk Samsung Hospital , Sungkkyunkwan University School of Medicine , Dermatology , Seoul , Republic of Korea.

Median canaliform nail dystrophy (MCND) is an uncommon and idiopathic dystrophic change, which typically appears as central, longitudinal groove or split involving one or both thumbnails. Various treatments including a potent topical steroid, an intralesional injection of triamcinolone 2.5-3 mg/dL, medications for systemic treatment, and topical psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) have been tried to treat the disease. Read More

Clin Rehabil 2017 Sep 25;31(9):1179-1188. Epub 2017 Jan 25.

8 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Objective: To investigate a new botulinum neurotoxin type A, termed letibotulinumtoxinA(Botulax) and compare its efficacy and safety for post-stroke upper limb spasticity with that of onabotulinumtoxinA(Botox).

Design: A prospective, double-blinded, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical study.

Setting: Six university hospitals in Korea. Read More