According to Edmonds, in 1882 Bennett first described a two-part intraarticular fracture at the base of the thumb metacarpal, which now bears his name. The Bennett fracture refers to an intraarticular fracture separating the volar-ulnar aspect of the metacarpal base…
The metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint is ideally suited for arthroscopic evaluation. The MCP joint represents a single compartment, the bony and tendinous landmarks are easy to identify, and the neurovascular structures are remote from the portals; hence there is a short…
Biomechanics and kinematics A proximal row carpectomy (PRC) significantly alters the radiocarpal kinematics. Blankenhorn et al. found that following a PRC, wrist flexion and extension were accomplished by capitate rotation. In radioulnar deviation, capitate motion changed from predominantly midcarpal rotation…
Introduction The most common indications for a partial wrist fusion include scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) patterns. Other conditions include Kienböck disease, radiocarpal joint arthrosis secondary to a malunited distal radius fracture (DRF), and scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal…
An arthroscopic resection of the distal scaphoid fragment can be regarded as a temporizing procedure for a chronic scaphoid waist nonunion or distal pole nonunion. It can relieve pain by alleviating the mechanical impingement between the hypertrophic distal pole and…
Pathophysiology An isolated tear of the scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) changes carpal loading and kinematics even without demonstrable radiographic abnormalities. It can lead to attenuation of the secondary stabilizers and progressive dissociation and rotation of the scaphoid and the lunate.…
Relevant anatomy and etiology The dorsal wrist ganglion (DWG) is the most common cystic soft tissue tumor of the wrist. It typically originates from the dorsal portion of the scapholunate (SL) ligament at the junction of the dorsal capsular insertion,…
Relevant anatomy and etiology Dr. Robert Kienböck was a Viennese radiologist who described a series of patients presenting with radiographic signs of a collapsed lunate and attributed it to a traumatic disruption of the bone’s blood supply. Although more than…
Pathophysiology Inflammatory arthritis is the most common situation where a synovectomy or biopsy may be indicated. Some causes of osteoarthritis may, however, also benefit from a synovectomy. A radiographic association between calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease (CPPD) and chronic…
Pathomechanics Arthrofibrosis is due to an excessive fibrotic response following a prolonged inflammatory condition or a traumatic wrist injury or surgery, and it can lead to a progressive loss of joint motion. Wrist contractures can occur following any type of…