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Background: Open excision of the olecranon bursa has been performed traditionally. However, surgical complications such as wound healing problems and recurrence may occur after the surgery. The purpose of this study was to report on the clinical outcomes of endoscopic olecranon bursal resection performed in both septic and aseptic olecranon bursitis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients who underwent endoscopic olecranon bursal resection from June 2007 to January 2012. There were 20 males and 10 females. The ages ranged from 22 to 80 years, with an average age of 57.4 years and the average follow-up was 21.1 months (6–61.5 months). There were 15 cases in the septic group. The treatment outcome was measured according to the following; the rate of recurrence, range of motion, complications associated with surgery, VAS and QuickDASH.

Results: There were no complications such as postoperative infection or neurovascular injuries. In the septic group, the VAS and QuickDASH scores were significantly improved from 5.6 to 0.1 and from 28 to 1.3, respectively. In the aseptic group, the VAS and QuickDASH scores were improved from 0.6 to 0.1 and from 25.7 to 0.5, respectively. In all cases, there were no recurrences and no limitations of joint motion until the final follow-up.

Conclusions: We were able to obtain excellent outcomes without recurrence by performing endoscopic olecranon bursal resection in both septic and aseptic olecranon bursitis.

Background: Arthroscopy is a widely used minimally invasive technique. Nevertheless, no report describes the arthroscopic anatomy of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint for portal creation. To facilitate arthroscopy, this study elucidated the anatomy of the lateral bands of the extensor mechanism and collateral ligaments of PIP joints.

Methods: A total of 39 fingers from the right hands of 10 cadavers (4 males, 6 females) were evaluated in this study. We defined the extension line from the proximal interphalangeal volar crease as the C-line. We also defined an imaginary line along the distal edge of the proximal phalanx, which is parallel to the C-line, as the J-line. The distance between J-line and C-line was measured. On the C-line and J-line, we measured the following: from the dorsal skin to the lateral edge of the lateral band (LB), the dorsal edge of the collateral ligament (CL) and from the lateral band and the collateral ligament (D), the width of the finger (W). The finger half-width (M) was measured on the J-line. Comparison between the digits and comparison between radial and ulnar distance were measured and statistical analysis was performed.

Results: All PIP joint spaces were distal from the C-line, except for one ring finger. The average distances between the J-line and C-line were 1.8–3.2 mm. On the C-line, only 11 cases (14.1%) showed an interval between the lateral bands and the collateral ligaments, but, on the J-line 72, cases (92.3%) had such an interval. The interval was located 1.6–2.9 mm in a dorsal direction from the midlateral on the J-line.

Conclusions: Portal creation at the J-line is safer than at the C-line. This study revealed that safe portals for arthroscopy of the PIP joint are 2 mm dorsal to the midlateral line of the finger on the J-line.

Background: Chronic volar plate instability of the thumb metacarpal phalangeal joint (MCPJ) is a disabling clinical problem. Patients usually present with pain and disability in terms of reduction in pinch and grip power. Numerous surgical techniques have been described for the treatment of this condition. Here we describe a novel method for the treatment of this condition by thermal shrinkage of the volar plate via thumb MCPJ arthroscopy.

Methods: A retrospective review of 8 patients with chronic thumb MCPJ volar plate instability treated with the novel technique of thermal shrinkage of the volar plate via thumb MCPJ arthroscopy. The primary outcome is maintenance of saggital plane stability at the thumb MCPJ. Secondary outcomes include pinch and grip power, The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Score and thumb MCPJ range of movement. The duration of follow up and complications were also reviewed.

Results: The mean follow up period was 41.4 months (range, 2–134 months). One case had recurrence of instability requiring open volar plate capsulodesis. All other cases had their thumb hyperextensibility resolved and maintained throughout the entire follow up period, up to 134 months for the case with the longest duration of follow up.

Conclusions: Preliminary results suggest this novel, minimally invasive technique for the treatment of thumb MCPJ volar plate instability is effective and the long term follow up results are durable.

We report a patient of Scapholunate (SL) injury in which radiography revealed obvious SL dissociation with dorsal intercalated segment instability deformity, but arthroscopy showed a SL gap of less than 2 mm. Radiographs of the uninjured wrist showed a SL interval of 3.0 mm and a SL angle of 80°. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed low signal intensity in the proximal portion of the scaphoid and a mild SL gap on T1-, T2-weighted, and T2-weighted fat-suppressed images. Midcarpal wrist arthrography revealed a small amount of contrast media leakage through the SL interval. It was considered that incomplete ossification of the scaphoid mimicked obvious radiographic SL dissociation.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes following an arthroscopic-assisted reduction and volar plating (AR-VP) surgery through pronator quadratus (PQ) preservation for treating intra-articular distal radius fractures (IA-DRFs) and to assess prognostic factors that affect functional outcomes.

Methods: Between March 2014 and February 2017, 54 patients who had intra-articular DRF and underwent AR-VP through the PQ preservation technique and completed 1-year follow-up were enrolled. Patients were divided into the satisfactory group (excellent and good results) and an unsatisfactory group (fair and poor results) based on the modified Mayo Wrist Scoring System (MMWS) scored at 1-year follow-up to determinate prognostic factors that affected clinical outcomes. Patients’ demographics, clinical outcome measures (VAS, DASH, PRWE, etc.), and pre-and post-operative radiographic parameters were analyzed.

Results: The outcomes according to MMWS were 10 excellent, 22 good, 14 fair, and 8 poor. A univariate analysis showed a significant difference between the groups (p < .05) for all radiographic parameters, sex, and the presence of an intra-articular comminution. In the multivariate analysis, female gender, presence of an intra-articular comminution, and difference of palmar articular tilt compared to uninjured wrist (> 20.1°) at trauma were considered as significant poor prognostic factors of functional outcome.

Conclusions: AR-VP surgery through PQ preservation for intra-articular DRFs has reliable clinical and radiological outcomes. However, female gender, presence of an intra-articular comminution, and difference of palmar articular tilt compared to the uninjured wrist (> 20.1°) at initial injury were considered poor prognostic factors for AR-VP through PQ preservation for intra-articular DRF.

Volar plate fixation (VPF) of scaphoid fractures has received increased attention over the past decade. The purported benefits over headless screw fixation are increased rigidity, better purchase of small fragments, the ability to prevent extrusion of bone graft, and to act as a buttress against excessive scaphoid flexion. We report a case of symptomatic radioscaphoid impingement presenting two years after successful VPF for a non-united scaphoid fracture. We performed an arthoscopic evaluation, synovectomy and chondroplasty, followed by open radial styloidectomy and implant removal. This article highlights the pertinent clinical features, relevant imaging, and key intra-operative findings. We have analyzed the factors that led to this complication and have highlighted several technical tips to minimize radiocarpal impingement and ongoing chondral damage.

Background: To review the impact that arthroscopy has made on the assessment and treatment of intercarpal (scapholunate [SL] or lunotriquetral [LT]) ligament injuries associated with acute distal radius fractures (DRF).

Methods: A systematic review of EMBASE, MEDLINE and COCHRANE databases for articles published between 2011 and 2021 was performed (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021273293) which included studies reported assessment and outcomes of intercarpal ligament injuries associated with acute DRF. Methodological quality was evaluated. The rate of concomitant injury detection, role of arthroscopy and different clinical outcome assessment measurements used were compared between studies.

Results: A total of 20 articles were included with data from 1,346 patients (1,358 wrists). A total of 1,024 intra-articular fractures were included and 294 extra-articular fractures (40 not specified). There was a heterogeneous mix of studies; 10 comparative and 10 non-comparative. Some studies investigated initial assessment findings only, while others assessed radiological outcomes, functional outcomes or both domains over 0.3–99 months. The overall rate of SL ligament injury associated with DRF was 35.3%, while LT ligament injury overall was 18.2%. More frequent were concomitant triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries (44.8%), although this review did not aim to review these. The role of arthroscopy was reviewed, which included assistance in anatomic reduction of the articular surface and systematic inspection of the surrounding soft tissues. Included studies investigated either assessment or assessment and management of intercarpal ligament injury. Meaningful meta-analysis in this heterogeneous group of studies was not possible. Outcomes of comparative studies were described in detail.

Conclusions: This review suggests that arthroscopy may have a role in improving reduction of intra-articular DRF and diagnosing and managing soft tissue injuries associated with such fractures. Randomised studies are needed to evaluate whether the detection of intercarpal ligament injury in acute distal radial fractures through arthroscopic assessment alters current management and improves clinical outcome.

Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic)

Grade 2 scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC 2) can be treated by proximal row carpectomy with satisfactory results. However, this method is invasive and can limit function. The senior author had proposed an arthroscopic alternative with tendon interposition between the radius and proximal carpal row (arthroscopic interposition tendon arthroplasty [AITA]). However, this arthroscopic technique is technically difficult and requires a risky palmar arthroscopic portal. We report a modification of AITA, the one-loop arthroscopic radiocarpal tendon inter-position (1L-ARTI) that is simpler and needs only dorsal arthroscopic portals.

Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic)

Ganglion cysts are common wrist lesions and, in about 20% of patients, they appear on a volar and radial location. Volar ganglions typically arise from the volar radiocarpal joint in the interval between the radioscaphocapitate (RSC) and the long radiolunate (LRL) ligaments. We report two patients with volar and radial ganglion cysts that originated at the dorsum of the scapholunate (SL) ligament. This may lead to inadequate treatment with a risk of recurrence.

Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic)

Background: Lunate pseudarthrosis is a complication of lunate fractures and few cases are described in the literature. We designed a case series of lunate pseudarthrosis, to acknowledge this topic and to show our clinical experience.

Methods: Four patients were included in this study. Three went through surgical treatment of lunate nonunion.

Results: At 2 years’ follow-up, patients had slight improvement of range of motion (ROM) and Quick-DASH score compared to preoperative measures, though two patients developed scaphocapitate, radiolunate or midcarpal osteoarthritis. The fourth patient is asymptomatic and is being followed up.

Conclusions: Surgical options depend on the localization of the pseudarthrosis in the lunate. Fragment excision can be a good option when the fragment is small, preserving scapholunate (SL) stability. Caution must be taken with dorsal pole pseudarthrosis, regarding midcarpal osteoarthritis.

Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic)

Background: Arthroscopic scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) fusion (ASTTF) has emerged in the recent decade as an option for traditional open surgery. This retrospective study describes our technique and results of ASTTF.

Methods: Medical records and radiological data of patient who had undergone ASTTF between 2014 and 2022 in two tertiary hospitals were reviewed.

Results: Five ASTTF in four patients were identified. The mean age of the patients were 52.4 years. Fusion was achieved in four out of five wrists (80%). The mean postoperative radio-scaphoid angle was 48°, grip 32 kg (70% compared to contralateral hand), extension 54° (86%) and flexion 46° (93%). The mean follow-up time was 18 months (range 5 months to 4 years). One wrist (20%) developed STT non-union requiring a reoperation 2 years after index surgery.

Conclusions: ASTTF is a technically challenging procedure with a long learning curve and surgery time. However, ASTTF is less invasive compared to the open procedure and our results were like the open procedures described in literature. Further studies are needed to compare the benefits and results of open and ASTTF in a prospective and randomised setup.

Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic)

Background: Functional outcomes of patients who underwent arthroscopy-assisted surgery for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis were reported.

Methods: We included 24 consecutive patients (6 males and 18 females) who underwent surgery and postoperative hand therapy at our hospital between April 2012 and March 2018. For functional evaluation, we used the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT), grip and pinch strength, range of motion of the thumb, visual analogue scale (VAS) for thumb pain, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) and Japanese version of the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE-J) preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively.

Results: The mean PPT rating improved from 12.3 to 13.3, the VAS score from 51 to 16, the QuickDASH score from 48 to 30 and the PRWE-J score from 55 to 29. All the improvements were statistically significant. There was a moderate positive correlation between the magnitude of improvement in PPT and QuickDASH scores.

Conclusions: Arthroscopic intervention and associated hand therapy were effective in achieving early postoperative relief of thumb pain and in improving hand dexterity and activities of daily living.

Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic)

Background: Arthroscopic debridement is increasingly being utilised in patients with early-stage first carpometacarpal joint (FCMCJ) arthritis but has limited supportive evidence. This systematic review evaluates the literature, and reports on outcomes and adverse events following this procedure.

Methods: An electronic literature search of PubMed, Embase, Medline and Cochrane Central, looking for studies describing outcomes following arthroscopic debridement in FCMCJ arthritis, was performed in November 2022. Studies where bony resection or interposition was performed as adjuncts were excluded. Reported outcomes included visual analogue scores (VAS) for pain; Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores; pinch and grip strength; complications and re-operations.

Results: Out of a total of 90 studies revealed from the search, only two studies were eligible for inclusion, with a cohort of 34 patients. Following arthroscopic debridement for FCMCJ osteoarthritis, the mean VAS improved by four units, mean DASH by 22 points, grip strength by 4.5 kg and pinch strength by 2 kg at mean follow-up of 18 months. The pooled complication and re-operation rates were 8.8% and 23.5%, respectively.

Conclusions: There is a lack of evidence supporting the utility of FCMCJ arthroscopy and debridement in the management of patients with early arthritis. Although the limited evidence suggests that there may be some therapeutic benefit, further large-scale prospective studies need to be performed before making conclusive recommendations.

Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic)