Is It Possible to Perform Fifth Carpometacarpal Joint Arthroscopy? Cadaveric Study on Its Feasibility, Safety, and Potential Hazards in Portal Creation

Background Fifth carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) fracture dislocation is a relatively rare injury and most will require operative treatment because of its unstable nature. Improper reduction and fixation lead to joint surface destruction, pain, and reduced grasping power. Intra-articular fragment reduction is often obscured by dorsally displaced ulnar fragment. Therefore, fifth CMCJ arthroscopy can be advantageous in assisting intra-articular fragment reduction. However, there is no detailed description of the portal landmarks or portals' relationship with adjacent important structures in the literature. Purposes To explore the feasibility and safety of fifth CMCJ arthroscopy, locations of the portals are examined in cadaveric hand specimens. Their proximity to important anatomical structures such as dorsal cutaneous branch of ulnar nerve (DCBUN), ring finger and little finger extensor digitorum communis (EDC), and extensor digiti minimi (EDM) is measured. Methods Fifth CMCJ arthroscopy is performed on 11 cadaveric hand specimens by specialist-level surgeon. The portals are marked and portal positions are further confirmed under the fluoroscopy. Then the cadaveric specimens were undergone anatomical dissection by specialist-level surgeon. During dissection, the spatial relationship between the portal positions and DCBUN, EDC to ring finger and little finger, and EDM is identified. The distance between the portals and the above important structures was measured in millimeters. Results DCBUN was consistently found between fourth metacarpohamate (4-MH) and fifth metacarpohamate (5-MH) portals, with it being closer to the latter (mean distance, 2.03 mm; range, 0–4.43 mm; standard deviation [SD], 1.09 mm). The closest tendon for 4-MH portal is ring finger EDC (mean distance, 2.65 mm; range, 0–5.89 mm; SD, 1.78 mm), while 5-MH portal and accessory portal were closest to EDC (mean distance, 1.88 mm; range, 0–3.69 mm; SD, 1.25 mm) and EDM (mean distance, 7.79 mm; range, 6.63–10.72 mm; SD, 1.49 mm), respectively. During the process of specimen dissection, we found no damage to the above structures after portal introduction. Conclusion The above findings support the use of fifth CMCJ arthroscopy, which can be used for assisted reduction in fifth metacarpal base fracture dislocation and hamate body fracture. Gentle soft tissue spreading technique during portal creation prevents injury to the important structure surrounding the portals. Level of evidence This is a Level V study.

Neglected Scaphocapitate Syndrome

Background Scaphocapitate syndrome is a rare injury where the proximal pole of the capitate rotates 90 to 180 degrees. The proximal pole of the capitate, thought to receive its vascular supply retrograde, is rendered avascular in such cases. However, recent evidence of low rates of avascular necrosis in displaced capitate fractures, and new vascular studies of the capitate, challenge this paradigm. Case Description We report a case of a missed and neglected scaphocapitate syndrome with more than 30 years follow-up. While the patient experienced midcarpal arthritis, the injury had not resulted in capitate proximal pole avascular necrosis as per T1 magnetic resonance imaging studies. Literature Review Missed and chronic cases of scaphocapitate syndrome were reported previously. Successful outcomes were achieved with anatomical reduction in cases without midcarpal arthritis. Salvage procedures or arthroplasty procedures are recommended with the presence of midcarpal arthritis. However, there are no reports of a neglected case with more than 30 years follow-up with preserved vascularity of the proximal pole of the capitate. Clinical Relevance This case illustrates that vascularity of the proximal pole of the capitate can be preserved even in longstanding displaced fractures.

Arthroscopic treatment for posteromedial talar process fracture (Cedell fracture): a case report

Fracture of the posteromedial talar process (Cedell fracture) is a rare injury and is easily misdiagnosed as a simple ankle sprain. Suspicion should be heightened if specific mechanisms of injury are present, and, in these cases, a CT scan should be performed. Significant ankle pain and disability can result if these injuries are not identified and treated properly. Few cases have been described in the literature, and the efficacy of surgical techniques and approaches for fractures of the posterior talar process remains controversial. We report a 56-year-old man with an acute posteromedial talar fracture treated arthroscopically. This approach provides good access to the posterior ankle compartment, subtalar joint, and extraarticular structures, which may allow fracture reduction and fixation under arthroscopic visualization. Level of Evidence V; Therapeutic Studies; Expert Opinion.

Carpometacarpal Dislocation with Third Metacarpal Fracture

Case Presentation: A 17-year-old male presented to the emergency department (ED) due to trauma to the right hand and wrist after punching a locker at school. He had significant soft tissue swelling. Radiographs demonstrated intra-articular metacarpal fractures with associated carpometacarpal dislocations. The dislocation was reduced bedside in the ED and ultimately underwent closed reduction surgical management with orthopedic surgery. Discussion: Metacarpal fractures result from high-force impact injuries and account for 30-40% of all hand injuries. The most common sites of second through fifth metacarpal fractures are at the neck and the shaft, with the majority involving the fifth metacarpal neck (commonly coined “boxer’s fractures”). Carpometacarpal (CMC) dislocations are a rare injury associated with high-force impact trauma to the wrist. These injuries account for as little as 1% of all acute hand and wrist injuries. Carpometacarpal dislocations are often difficult to diagnose on physical examination due to significant soft tissue swelling, and they can easily be missed on anterior-posterior views of the hand. Lateral and oblique plain radiograph views are essential in the diagnosis as they are more likely to show dislocations. Despite appropriate plain radiographic views, subtle CMC dislocations may be difficult to discern dependent on the level of dislocation or subluxation and overlapping of joints. These injuries are rare due to otherwise highly stable ligamentous and muscular attachments within the wrist. Because of these attachments, dislocations are often associated with concomitant metacarpal fractures.

The Hoffa Fracture: Review

The Hoffa fracture is an extremely rare injury of one or two condyles of the femur in the frontal plane, more often associated with injury to other structures of the knee joint area. The main cause of the Hoffa fracture is considered to be a high-energy injury (road accident in 80.5% of cases). The isolated Hoffa fracture accounts for 0.65% of all femoral fractures. To date, there is no consensus on surgical approach or optimal technique of internal fixation for the frontal fracture of the femoral condyles. There is also a large percentage of mistakes in the X-ray diagnosis of this pathology. The existing classifications have not found wide application in clinical practice, being difficult and inapplicable for solving the issue of treatment tactics and preoperative planning. The aim of the study is to present modern views on the diagnosis, principles and techniques of surgical treatment of patients with the Hoffa fractures based on the analysis of the literature. Based on the analyzed literature, conclusions are drawn about the need for careful collection of injury anamnesis, increased surgeon caution in the presence of this injury clinical picture and the simultaneous absence of pathology on standard knee joint X-rays, the need to perform an additional examination in the form of lateral (non-standard) projections of the knee joint X-rays, CT or MRI. During preoperative planning, preference should be given to minimally invasive technologies, including arthroscopically-associated methods of treatment.

Leg Impalement – A Rare Injury Pattern Case Report

Introduction: Impalement injuries are defined as rare, high-energy lesions caused by foreign bodies, usually steel bars or wooden objects, which pierce body cavities or extremities and remain interposed in the perforated body region. They usually occur with road accident or civil construction falls. Case Report:A 24-year-old male patient was admitted at the emergency department after a motorcycle accident, resulting a left leg impalement with a wooden object. A partial deep peroneal nerve palsy and a proximal third fibula fracture were observed. The foreign body removal and wound debridement were performed. The patient evolved favorably without complications, with complete neurological recovery and returning to his normal life activities. Discussion: Impalement injuries represent a challenge in pre-hospital care, emergency room, and operating room hospital care, due to its rarity and specificity: Type of object, anomalous foreign body location, and trajectory. There is a consensus that whenever possible, it should be removed in the operating room, due to the foreign body may be tamponing a major arterial laceration, thus preventing massive hemorrhage. Conclusion: Neurovascular injury exclusion, foreign body removal in the operating room, debridement, and antibiotic prophylaxis represent the treatment basis of these injuries. Keywords: Impalement, Trauma, Leg

Acromioclavicular Joint Pseudo-dislocations with Lateral end Clavicle Fracture: A Rare Injury and Proposed Technique of Fixation

Introduction: Lateral end clavicle fractures are rare injuries in pediatric and adolescent population. Most of these injuries can be managed conservatively. However, in patients with acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) “pseudo-dislocations” associated with significant clinical deformity, some patients will benefit from operative intervention. Case Report:Our reported case is a young adolescent with a Type IV Dameron and Rockwood distal clavicle fracture and ACJ pseudo-dislocation, who underwent surgical fixation for this injury. We propose a novel technique of fixation with a suture anchor and endo button with temporary K wire stabilization. These are rare injuries and there are no standardized techniques for reconstruction and fixation. Stabilization with a suture anchor can provide a minimally invasive method of fixation for such injuries without the traditional plating and can lead to excellent final outcomes. Conclusion:ACJ pseudo-dislocations are rare injuries. There is limited evidence in guiding the management of such injuries. Our proposed technique of fixation with suture anchor, endo button and temporary stabilisation with K-wire can provide promising results. Keywords:Clavicle fracture, paediatrics, suture anchors, acromioclavicular joint, trauma.

Traumatic Pediatric Tracheal Rupture After Blunt Force Sporting Injury: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Objective: This paper presents the case of a traumatic tracheal rupture in a pediatric patient. The body of literature of the clinical features, evaluation, and management of this uncommon presentation is discussed. Case: A 13-year-old boy sustained an intrathoracic tracheal rupture whilst playing Australian Rules football. He developed hallmark clinical features of air extravasation and was intubated prior to transfer to a tertiary pediatric center for further management. After a short trial of conservative management, his respiratory status deteriorated and he was taken to the operating theater for open surgical repair of the defect. Conclusion: Traumatic rupture of the trachea is a rare injury in children. This case demonstrates the dynamic nature of this serious injury and the need for multidisciplinary care in achieving the optimal outcome.