Finger Carpometacarpal Joint Research Articles

Thumb Metacarpal-Trapezoid Impingement as an Etiology of Pain After Trapeziectomy and Basal Joint Soft Tissue Arthroplasty: A Case Series

To report a poorly described etiology for pain after trapeziectomy and soft tissue basal joint arthroplasty, diagnosed with the aid of nuclear imaging. Five patients (4 women and 1 man), average age 62 years (range, 59-65 years) presented with pain an average of 7 months (range, 2-11 months) after basal joint arthroplasty. The dominant hand was involved in all cases. Advanced imaging including 25 mCi 99mTc methylene diphosphonate bone scintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomography (CT) showed intense tracer uptake between the base of the thumb metacarpal and residual trapezoid. Computed tomography scans confirmed abutment between these bones. The symptoms were attributed to this finding, and revision surgery consisting of excision of the trapezoid and arthrodesis of the index and middle finger carpometacarpal joints was performed. Mean follow-up was 40 months (range, 12-60 months). Grip strength improved from a mean of 10.5 to 23 kg, and lateral pinch strength improved from a mean of 3 to 6.75 kg. Radiographic fusion of the index finger metacarpal to capitate was confirmed in 4 of 5 patients; it was indeterminate in one patient who was completely pain-free. Radiographic fusion of long finger carpometacarpal joints was indeterminate in 3 patients. Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation pain scores improved from 35 to 6, Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation function scores from 78 to 14, and Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores from 37 to18. Impingement between the base of the thumb metacarpal and remaining trapezoid should be considered a potential source of pain after trapeziectomy and soft tissue arthroplasty. Advanced imaging (bone scintigraphy and single-photon emission CT and standard CT) are helpful to confirm the diagnosis. Therapeutic V.

Sensitivity and Specificity of Radiographs in the Diagnosis of Little and/or Ring Carpometacarpal Joint Injuries

Introduction Little and ring finger carpometacarpal joints (CMCJs) injuries are commonly missed due to misinterpretation of radiographs. We aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of four different radiographic views.Materials and Methods Radiographs (posteroanterior [PA], lateral [LAT], pronated oblique [POL], and supinated oblique [SOL] views) showing normal findings or little/ring finger CMCJ injuries were shown to two cohorts of orthopaedic trainees and a cohort of emergency nurse practitioners.Results The POL view performed best in all three testing scenarios. The SOL view performed least well. The combination of a PA, true LAT, and POL identified 78% of injuries correctly. In no cases did the SOL view correctly identify an injury when the other three views had been interpreted as normal.Conclusion We recommend a combination of the PA, POL, and LAT views in diagnosing these injuries. Where doubt remains, cross-sectional imaging is essential.

Injuries of the Sportsman’s Hand

Injuries of the Sportsman’s Hand

Management of fracture-dislocations of the little finger carpometacarpal joint: a systematic review.

Fracture-dislocations of the carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) of the little ray involve dorsal subluxation of the metacarpal base and they may be associated with injury of neighbouring CMCJs. Different treatment options are described, with no clear consensus on their management. This study presents a systematic review of comparative studies describing the management of these injuries. A bespoke search strategy was applied across multiple databases. Results were screened against specified stepwise inclusion criteria and data were extracted independently by two authors with discrepancy resolution by a third. Of 437 search results, six comparative studies were identified. Comparisons included non-operative or early mobilization versus fixation K-wires or open reduction and internal fixation. Conclusions were mixed; all studies had critical or significant risks of bias (using the ROBINS-I tool) and there was heterogeneity between studies.

Long-term Outcomes of APL Suspensionplasty with No, Partial, or Complete Trapezoid Excision

There is no financial information to disclose. Partial or complete trapezoid excision, combined with trapeziectomy and abductor pollicis longus (APL) suspensionplasty, impacts long term radiographic and clinical results. Sixty-nine patients (79 hands) underwent surgery for basal joint arthritis. Eighty-seven percent were female with a mean age 64. The dominant hand was involved in 57%. Advanced scaphotrapezial-trapezoid arthritis was noted intraoperatively in 55%, and treated with resection of the proximal 50% of the trapezoid (PT) in 21 hands (27%), and complete trapezoid (CT) resection in 22 (28%). No trapezoid excision was required (NT) in 36 hands. Fisher’s exact tests compared categorical outcomes and linear regression investigated whether predictors of interest (PT, CT or NT) had any effect on continuous variables such as Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), or DASH. Mean follow up was 95 months. There was no significant difference in satisfaction or the desire to have the procedure again. Mean total pain score was significantly lower with CT (4.89) and PT (4.94) when compared to NT (11.37). CT had significantly lower (better) mean total functional and usual activity scores on the PRWE, and four sub-scores on the quickDASH when compared to NT, but not to PT. Significant decreases in mean carpal height ratio (CHR) were seen in NT and CT. There was no significant difference between PT and CT; NT and PT had significantly more proximal collapse of the thumb metacarpal relative to the scaphoid compared to CT. Only NT had a significant change in the scapholunate angle. Both PT and CT had significant proximal migration of the index metacarpal. Complication rates trended higher in CT (27.3%) when compared to PT (23.8%)and NT (16.7%) but was insignificant. Secondary procedures were highest in CT (18%) and involved arthrodesis of the index and long finger carpometacarpal joints. •Complete trapezoidectomy had the greatest decrease in CHR and radiographic collapse of the index metacarpal, but without significant change in the scapholunate angle. It had the lowest (best) total pain and functional scores on the PRWE.•While CT also led to the greatest improvement in total functional scores (PRWE), the authors now only do PT for two reasons: (1) No significant differences in radiographic or clinical outcomes between PT and CT. (2) Higher complication rate with CT, notably an 18% incidence of symptomatic index CMCJ collapse and arthritis requiring arthrodesis.•NT patients had the highest total pain score and this may be due to impingement between the thumb metacarpal and trapezoid.

Hardware-related complications following radiocarpal arthrodesis using a dorsal plate.

Background Hardware-related complications more than 6 months after total wrist arthrodesis are rarely reported, and controversy remains around the inclusion of the middle finger carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) in the fusion mass. Purpose To determine the frequency of hardware-related complications including plate fractures, screw fractures, and symptomatic plate/screw loosening, and to investigate whether failure to fuse the middle finger CMCJ contributed to these hardware complications. Patients and Methods A retrospective chart review was designed to identify long-term hardware-related complications following 122 wrist arthrodeses using plate fixation. Patients with at least 6 months of follow-up were reviewed to determine the number of complications, the involvement of the middle finger CMCJ, and the procedures required to address these complications. Results At a median of 2.5 years following arthrodesis (range, 6 months-19 years), 20 (16%) hardware-related complications occurred and included screw fracture (n = 12), plate loosening (n = 5), and plate fracture (n = 3). Thirteen (65%) of the hardware complications occurred after the CMCJ was not fused during the procedure. The CMCJ did not fuse after attempted arthrodesis in 6 additional wrists. Conclusions Persistent middle finger CMCJ micromotion was likely present in 19/20 wrists (95%) that experienced symptomatic hardware complications. Given the occurrence of hardware failures centering on this joint, it is our recommendation that, unless one plans for routine plate removal within a given timeframe, the middle finger CMCJ must be included in the fusion mass. Level 4 Therapeutic Case Series.

Fracture-dislocations of the carpometacarpal joints of the ring and little finger.

We report the functional and radiographic results of 16 patients with fracture-dislocations of the ring and little finger carpometacarpal joints and 23 cases with fracture-dislocations of only the little finger carpometacarpal joint treated between 2006 and 2012. The above two cohort populations of patients were treated with either open reduction and pin fixation or closed reduction and pin fixation. These patients were followed for a mean of 13 months (range 9 to 48). The DASH scores for patients with fracture-dislocations of the ring and little finger carpometacarpal joints were 6.0 and of the little finger carpometacarpal joint 7.2. We found no functional differences in term of DASH scores after treatment between patients with fracture-dislocations of only the little finger carpometacarpal joint and both the ring and little finger carpometacarpal joints.

Little Finger Carpometacarpal Arthroplasty Technique and Result in 3 Cases

To present our surgical technique and results for the treatment of posttraumatic arthritis of the little finger carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. We performed a retrospective review of 3 patients who underwent our surgical technique. All patients had previously sustained intra-articular fractures of the base of the little finger metacarpal and presented with painful posttraumatic arthritis of the fifth metacarpal-hamate joint. Patients were treated with little finger CMC arthroplasty and extensor carpi ulnaris suspensionplasty. We observed the 3 patients in the office over a mean of 21 months and by telephone for a mean for 51 months postoperatively. They had improvements in wrist motion and grip strength. Finger motion remained stable. Pain and tenderness at the little finger CMC joint were eliminated. Our technique provided satisfactory pain relief and motion preservation for posttraumatic arthritis of the little finger CMC joint. Therapeutic IV.

Luxation carpo-métacarpienne palmaire du cinquième doigt : à propos d’un cas

Pure carpo-metacarpal dislocations without any fracture are rare, their volar component is exceptional. Untreated injuries can result in instability and early articular degeneration. We report a 72-year-old female patient who underwent an isolated closed volar dislocation of her fifth finger carpo-metacarpal joint after a fall. The clinical examination showed a 10°-defect in rotation with limited adduction (radial deviation). The X-rays showed a gap between the base of the fourth and the fifth metacarpal bones with volar dislocation of the base of the fifth carpometacarpal joint. The dislocation was successfully treated by closed reduction maintained with two K-wires. Immobilisation of the joint was applied for 6 weeks. At 2 years follow-up evaluation, the patient was pain free with no clinico-radiological evidence of instability and had returned to her previous level of activity.

Volar dislocation of index and middle finger carpometacarpal joints: a case report

Volar dislocation of index and middle finger carpometacarpal joints: a case report

Rate of Clinically Significant Posttraumatic Arthritis After Small Finger Intra-articular Carpometacarpal Fractures

Although small finger intra-articular carpometacarpal joint fractures are relatively common hand injuries, few studies in the orthopedic literature report their clinical outcomes. The goal of this study was to analyze the rate of symptomatic posttraumatic arthritis following small finger intra-articular carpometacarpal joint fractures. The authors performed a chart review of 82 consecutive patients with a small finger intra-articular carpometacarpal fractures treated at their institution over a 5-year period. Operative indications included irreducible small finger intra-articular carpometacarpal fractures and recurrent small finger carpometacarpal joint instability after attempted reduction. Group 1 included 66 patients with small finger intra-articular carpometacarpal fractures who were treated with cast immobilization alone for 6 weeks, whereas group 2 included 16 patients treated surgically followed by 6 weeks of cast immobilization. Clinical outcome parameters included posttreatment serial radiographs, a visual scale based on subjective pain scores (0-10) as part of a routine clinic intake form, and the need for subsequent small finger carpometacarpal arthrodesis. All patients included in the study had a minimum 12-month follow-up. In group 1, 6 (9.1%) of 66 patients developed symptomatic posttraumatic arthritis and required a subsequent small finger carpometacarpal arthrodesis. In group 2, none of the patients developed symptomatic posttraumatic arthritis or required arthrodesis. This study reports a relatively higher rate of small finger carpometacarpal arthrodesis after closed treatment alone for intra-articular small finger carpometacarpal fractures compared with open treatment, suggesting that anatomic alignment is important in this injury pattern.

Combined joint fusion for index and middle carpometacarpal instability in elite boxers

Isolated instability of the index and middle finger carpometacarpal joints is uncommon. An unpublished injury pattern in a consecutive series of 13 elite boxers is described, with mid-term radiological and functional results of two novel surgical treatments. All the boxers (from Australia and the UK) were unable to compete owing to pain and weakness. Four boxers were managed initially by open reduction and temporary K-wire fixation. Nine boxers underwent primary carpometacarpal arthrodesis. All were able to return to their previous level of competition. One boxer who had undergone a soft tissue reconstruction competed at international level but required an arthrodesis because of recurrent symptoms. In elite boxers, simple reduction and wiring may be appropriate for an acute injury causing index or middle finger carpometacarpal joint instability, however, arthrodesis is the treatment of choice when instability and degenerative changes are present.

Fracture Dislocation of Carpometacarpal Joints: A Missed Injury

Fracture dislocation of the carpometacarpal joints on the ulnar side of the hand is an uncommon injury. These are high-energy injuries seen in motorcyclists and boxers. The mechanism of injury involves violent, forceful dorsiflexion of the wrist combined with longitudinal impact on the closed hand. This article reports a case of fracture of the base of the middle finger with dislocation of the ring and little finger carpometacarpal joints. On first examination, a diagnosis of isolated, minimally-displaced, middle-metacarpal base fracture was made and deemed suitable for nonoperative management. The hand was splinted in a plaster-of-Paris slab. Later, a true lateral radiograph showed the exact nature of the injury. The fracture was successfully treated with closed reduction under general anesthesia and transfixation using Kirschner wires. Functional results were excellent with return to work at 10 weeks and excellent grip strength at 14 weeks. This injury may be missed in an acute setting in a busy accident and emergency unit. Swelling around the wrist with shortening of the knuckle should alert the clinician towards the possibility of such an injury. On routine anteroposterior view, overlap of joint surfaces, loss of parallelism, and asymmetry at the carpometacarpal joints should raise suspicion of the possibility of a subtle carpometacarpal injury. This article highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion, a true lateral radiograph, and careful evaluation of radiographs in diagnosing these injuries. Intensive postoperative physiotherapy is vital to achieving a satisfactory outcome.

Combined Dislocation of the Trapezoid and Finger Carpometacarpal Joints—The Steering Wheel Injury: Case Report

Two cases of combined dorsal trapezoid dislocation and multiple finger carpometacarpal joint dislocations are described. In both cases, a common mechanism involved a head-on motor vehicle collision while the subjects held tightly to the steering wheel. The patients were treated with open reduction and pinning, with good short-term results.

Simultaneous Dorsal Dislocations of the Carpometacarpal Joints of All Four Fingers

A 57-year-old right-hand-dominant woman was involved in a motor vehicle collision. Upon examination, her right hand was markedly deformed and swollen, with limited range of movement. Plain radiographs revealed dorsal dislocations of the index, long, ring, and small finger carpometacarpal joints and an avulsion fracture of the dorsal aspect of the capitate. Closed reduction was unsuccessful. Closed reduction under general anesthesia was successful on the carpometacarpal joint of the ring and small fingers, however, the long and index fingers remained irreducible. An open approach revealed that a joint capsule was interposed in the carpometacarpal joints of the long and index fingers, preventing reduction. Kirschner wires were placed through the base of the small and ring finger metacarpals into the carpus. Additional K-wires were placed across the base of the index and long finger metacarpals into the carpus, and removed at 6 weeks. The avulsion fracture of the capitate was not addressed. Follow-up at 24 months demonstrated full range of motion in all fingers. Her DASH Outcome Measure score was 1.7. She was pain free, had full grip strength, and returned to work full-time. Whether patients are treated closed or open, appropriate treatment of carpometacarpal dislocations usually leads to excellent outcomes. If closed reduction is unsuccessful, open treatment is required to address any soft tissue that is preventing reduction. Although urgent treatment is preferred, delay in reduction of up to 4 weeks has been shown not to compromise results.

Carpal Tunnel Volume Changes of the Wrist Under Distraction

This study attempts to determine changes in carpal canal volume with distraction across the wrist. Uniform longitudinal distraction was maintained with two external fixators on the radial and ulnar aspects of the forearm axis of five cadaver specimens. After CT scanning, volume determinations were made at 5 mm increments beginning at the lunocapitate joint to a point 1.5 cm distal to the middle finger carpometacarpal joint. There was a statistically significant decrease of the mean total carpal canal volume from 0 to 4.54 kg of distraction, with no statistically significant decrease from 0 to 2.27 kg or 2.27 to 4.54 kg. The largest decrease occurred at 15 and 20 mm distal to the proximal edge of the transverse carpal ligament corresponding to the level of the hamate hook. Reduction in mean carpal canal volume was 10.2% and 7.5% at these distances, respectively, from 0 to 4.54 kg of distraction. Progressive distraction across the wrist causes a decrease in total carpal canal volume.

Unusual case of carpometacarpal dislocation of all the four fingers of ulnar side of hand

Carpometacarpal dislocations of the fingers of ulnar side of the hand are a relatively uncommon injury. They are documented largely by reports of single cases or group of small cases [1] Diagnosis of this unusual form of injury requires high index of suspicion, careful examination and good radiography. Dislocations at the finger carpometacarpal joints are usually high-energy injuries seen commonly in boxers and motorcyclists [2]. Considerable swelling of the back of the hand may mask the characteristic hump at the root of the hand. The diagnosis can be easily missed due to other serious injuries. These injuries account for less than 1% injuries of hand and are frequently overlooked or missed. Disability of the hand is severe in untreated or in those where treatment is delayed.

An Isolated Ring Finger Metacarpal Shaft Fracture? – Beware An Associated Little Finger Carpometacarpal Joint Dislocation

Dislocations of the ulnar carpometacarpal joint are easily missed because of a low index of suspicion as well as their subtle clinical and radiological features. Often, the presence of a more obvious adjacent injury also draws attention away from the carpometacarpal joint. Two cases of ring finger metacarpal shaft fractures with associated little finger carpometacarpal joint dislocations are presented. In both cases, the metacarpal fractures were diagnosed but the carpometacarpal joint dislocations were initially overlooked. The presence of an apparently isolated ring finger metacarpal fracture due to an indirect force should raise the possibility of an associated carpometacarpal joint injury.

Anatomy and pathomechanics of ring and small finger carpometacarpal joint injuries

Purpose The purpose of this study was to detail the pathomechanics and pathoanatomy of fracture dislocations of the ring finger and small finger carpometacarpal (CMC) joint by duplicating the pathomechanics of the fist blow. Methods A custom-made jig was used to position 20 fresh-frozen cadaver upper extremities in forearm neutral rotation, 90° of elbow flexion, 20° of wrist extension, and 20° and 30° of flexion at the ring and small finger CMC joint, respectively. First 7.7 kg of weight were dropped from a height of 0.76 m to 1.1 m to axially load the ring and small metacarpal (MC) heads through a custom-made apparatus. Fluoroscopic examination before and after loading, and detailed dissection after loading, were used to identify any osseous and/or ligamentous injuries. Results The most common fractures were a dorsal capitate fracture and a middle MC dorsal base fracture. The most common combinations of fractures were the dorsal capitate and dorsal hamate fractures. Multiple fractures often were identified in a number of locations including dorsally: the capitate, hamate, and index through small metacarpal bases, and volarly: the hook of the hamate and the middle through the small MC bases. Conclusions The patterns of injuries encountered at the ring and small CMC joints can be explained by the direction and force of the applied load, position of the CMC joint at the time of loading, and the constraints imposed by specific CMC ligaments. A detailed analysis of the fracture patterns and associated ligament anatomy suggests that the typical ring and small carpometacarpal fracture dislocations are a more complex combination of fractures than identified by plain radiographs alone. The complexity of these injuries is greater than previously recognized and is most likely the result of a combination of axial load and shear stresses resulting in carpal fractures and ligament avulsions as well as fracture dislocations. This study suggests that computed tomography may be the preferred diagnostic imaging method for complete assessment of these injuries.

Simultaneous carpometacarpal joint dislocations of the thumb and all four fingers

Dislocations of single finger carpometacarpal (CMC) joints are rare but well reported in the literature and often associated with fractures of that or adjacent metacarpals. Similarly dislocations of the thumb CMC joint are also well reported. However simultaneous dislocations of the thumb and all four finger CMC joints has not previously been reported.