Mitsuhiko Nanno

Vascularised bone graft from the base of the second metacarpal for refractory nonunion of the scaphoid

A vascularised bone-graft procedure from the base of the second metacarpal was performed in 14 patients with nonunion of the scaphoid. There were 11 men and three women with a mean age of 22 years. In eight patients, who had dorsiflexed intercalated segment instability (DISI), an open wedge was formed at the site of nonunion, and the vascular pedicle was grafted from the volar side. In the six patients without DISI, transplantation was carried out through the same dorsal skin incision. Complete bony union was obtained in all patients after a mean post-operative period of 10.2 weeks, and DISI was corrected in all affected patients. According to Cooneys clinical scoring system, the results were excellent in five, good in six, and fair in three patients. Because of its technical simplicity and the limited dissection needed, the procedure should be considered for the primary surgical treatment of patients with nonunion of the scaphoid.

Supernumerary extensor pollicis longus tendon: a case report.

We report a rare case in which the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon was separated into 2 slips at the site of origin, ran an abnormal course across the wrist, and combined in the vicinity of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint; the tendon on the radial side passed through another tendon sheath between the first and second compartments and the tendon on the ulnar side passed over the extensor retinaculum.

Irreducible palmar dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint of a finger evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging: a case report.

The irreducible palmar dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) of a finger is rare and central slip rupture with the interposition of the lateral band in the PIPJ is extremely rare. In our present case, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enabled a very effective and detailed evaluation of soft tissue damage.

Simplified dorsal approach to fracture of the hamate hook with percutaneous fixation with screws

Abstract We present a new method for treating a fracture of the hook of the hamate with a percutaneous screw using a dorsal approach. Through this small incision, the fracture may be fixed easily and safely while avoiding damage to the blood supply of the hamate and the surrounding soft tissue.

Transverse Ultrasound Assessment of the Displacement of the Median Nerve in the Carpal Tunnel during Wrist and Finger Motion in Healthy Volunteers

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the displacement of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel during finger motion at varied wrist positions using transverse ultrasound in healthy volunteers, in order to clarify the appropriate position of a wrist splint in treating carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS Fifty wrists of 25 asymptomatic volunteers were evaluated by transverse ultrasound. The location of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel was examined at 5 wrist positions (neutral, 60° dorsiflexion, 60° palmar flexion, 40° ulnar flexion, 10° radial flexion) with all 5 fingers in full extension, all 5 fingers in full flexion, and isolated thumb in full flexion, respectively. RESULTS The median nerve was located significantly (p<0.05) more dorsally at the wrist dorsal flexion position, more ulnopalmarly at the wrist palmar flexion position, more radially at the wrist radial flexion position, and more radially at the wrist ulnar flexion position than at the wrist neutral position in all 5 fingers at full extension. The median nerve moved the most significantly dorsally among all wrist positions during finger motion at the wrist dorsal flexion position (p<0.05). Conversely, the median nerve moved the most significantly ulnopalmarly at the wrist palmar flexion position with all 5 fingers in full flexion among all wrist positions during finger motion (p<0.05). This latter wrist and finger position induced significant displacement of the median nerve toward the transverse carpal ligament, and compressed it between the flexor tendons and the transverse carpal ligament. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that there is a significant relationship between the median nerve displacement in the carpal tunnel and the motion of the wrist and fingers. This finding suggests that the compression or the shearing stress of the median nerve caused by the movement of the flexor tendons is reduced in the wrist dorsal flexion position compared with other wrist positions. This wrist dorsal flexion position could be the appropriate position for a wrist splint in the treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. This ultrasound information provides further knowledge and understanding of the biomechanics and pathophysiology of the carpal tunnel. It could also help in the accurate analysis and assessment of diagnostic images and treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Transverse Movement of the Median Nerve in the Carpal Tunnel during Wrist and Finger Motion in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral compression neuropathy of the upper extremity. Repetitive wrist and finger motion has been suggested as a major factor of pathogenesis of CTS. However, little is known about the pathomechanics of CTS. We aimed to evaluate the movement of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel during wrist and finger motions using transverse ultrasound in 21 patients with CTS (5 men and 16 women with mean age 69.0 years). We examined quantitatively the median nerve location as a coordinate within the carpal tunnel at varied wrist positions with all fingers full extension and flexion respectively in the affected and unaffected sides. We thus found that at all wrist positions during finger motion, the median nerve moved significantly more ulnopalmarly in the affected side compared to the unaffected side (p < 0.05). Especially, at the wrist palmar-flexion position as a provocative test, the nerve moved significantly (p < 0.05) the most ulnopalmarly among all wrist positions in the affected side. The nerve was the most strongly compressed against the transverse carpal ligament by the flexor tendons. Additionally, the displacement amount of the nerve in the dorsal-palmar direction was significantly smaller in the affected side than in the unaffected side. These findings indicate that such a pattern of nerve movement has the potential to distinguish affected from unaffected individuals. This ultrasound information could be useful in better understanding of the pathomechanics of CTS, and in further improvement of diagnosis and treatment for CTS.

Ultrasound Evaluation of the Transverse Movement of the Flexor Pollicis Longus Tendon on the Distal Radius during Wrist and Finger Motion in Healthy Volunteers.

PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate the kinematics of the flexor pollicis longus tendon (FPL) at the wrist by examining the movement of the FPL on the distal radius during various wrist and finger motions using transverse ultrasound in healthy volunteers. METHODS Forty-eight wrists of 24 asymptomatic volunteers were examined by transverse ultrasound to observe the location of the FPL on the distal radius at 5 wrist positions (neutral, 60° dorsal flexion, 60° palmar flexion, 40° ulnar deviation, and 10° radial deviation) with all 5 fingers in full extension and full flexion, and isolated thumb in full flexion, respectively. RESULTS We found that the FPL was situated statistically significantly more ulnodorsally at the wrist dorsal and ulnar deviation positions, more ulnopalmarly at the wrist palmar flexion position, and more radiopalmarly at the wrist radial deviation-position than at the wrist neutral position with all 5 fingers at full extension. Especially, it moved statistically significantly most ulnodorsally at the wrist dorsal flexion position during finger motion. The FPL moved most statistically significantly ulnopalmarly at the wrist palmar flexion position with all 5 fingers in full extension among all wrist positions during finger motion. During finger motion, the wrist dorsal flexion position induced significant displacement of the FPL to the distal radius and compressed it between the flexor tendons and the distal radius. The average distance between the FPL and the volar surface of the distal radius in the palmar-dorsal direction at wrist dorsal flexion position in all fingers at full flexion was 1.9 mm, the smallest among all wrist positions during finger motion. CONCLUSIONS There is a significant relationship between the transverse movement of the FPL at the distal radius and wrist and finger motions. Our findings indicated that the irritation of the FPL caused by the movement of both the FPL itself and of the flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus is most induced with the wrist in dorsal flexion with all 5 fingers at full flexion compared to other wrist positions during finger motion. This wrist position might be the optimum one at which to evaluate the irritation of the FPL from volar locking plates in patients with distal radius fracture. We believe that our transverse ultrasound results can play a role in the gaining of a better understanding of the kinematics of the FPL. Moreover, they have potential to lead to improved diagnosis of and treatment for fractures of the distal radius and help to minimize the risk of FPL rupture related to volar locking plates.

Three-dimensional computed tomography of the carpal ligaments.

This article details a current perspective and accurate anatomical three-dimensional descriptions of the ligaments of the wrist. The carpometacarpal ligaments, the intercarpal ligaments, and the radiocarpal ligaments are described and illustrated using a unique combination of detailed dissection, computed tomography, and a three-dimensional digitization technique. Detailed information is also provided about the ligamentous attachments of the carpometacarpal joints, the carpal bones, and the distal radius. This study improves knowledge and understanding of the normal anatomy and mechanics of the radiocarpal and intercarpal ligaments and the carpometacarpal joints, and it should help in the assessment of radiographic images and treatment of various injuries and degenerative changes seen in the wrist. The knowledge of the ligaments will further serve as a foundation for understanding the anatomy of the ligaments, the biomechanics of the wrist, and the function of the individual ligaments and their roles in joint motion and stability.

Intrasheath triamcinolone injection for the treatment of trigger digits in adult.

The purpose of this study is to describe our technique of intrasheath triamcinolone injection for trigger digit and to evaluate the treatment outcome. Seventy-two patients of 81 digits treated with intrasheath triamcinolone injection were followed up for at least one year and interviewed in our clinic. The injection was performed in all patients by one of the authors at two-week intervals. The amount used was 1 ml (10 mg) of triamcinolone and was mixed with 1 ml of 1% lidocaine and tried precise injection into the tendon sheath. According to the evaluation method developed by Patel and Moradia, they were excellent in 67 digits, good in ten digits, fair in three digits, and poor in one digit. Satisfactory results were obtained in 95% of the digits, and the effectiveness rate was higher than previously reported. But it should also be noted that triamcinolone easily induces local side effects such as dermatitis.

Color Doppler ultrasound assessment for identifying perforator arteries of the second dorsal metacarpal flap

Purpose: The second dorsal metacarpal (SDMC) perforator flap has been widely used for the soft tissue reconstruction of the hand. However, it is difficult to identify the depth and branches of the perforators of the second dorsal metacarpal artery (SDMA) using only handheld acoustic Doppler flowmetry (HADF), which is the most common method. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of examination by color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) with those of HADF and to evaluate the efficacy of CDU for detection of the perforators to be used in the design of the SDMC flap. Methods: Twenty-two healthy volunteers (42 hands) were examined using both CDU and HADF. All locations identified as the perforators of the SDMA by the two examinations were mapped respectively. Results: The total perforator arteries detected with CDU in all hands were 111 branches, 49 branches of which could not be identified with HADF. The average number of perforators of the SDMA per hand found with CDU was 2.8 branches, while that for HADF was only 1.8 branches. The detection rates of the cutaneous perforators of the SDMA by CDU were 100% in the proximal one-third of the second metacarpal and 95% in the distal one-fourth of the second metacarpal. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the superiority of CDU compared with HADF for detection of the perforators of the SDMA. The CDU examination could easily identify the locations of the cutaneous perforators and help in the useful assessment of vascularity for the SDMC flap.