A cadaveric assessment of percutaneous trigger finger release with 15° stab knife: its effectiveness and complications

Percutaneous release of the A1 pulley has been introduced as a therapeutic approach for trigger fingers and is suggested as an effective and safe alternative, where conservative treatments fail. The aim of the current study was to determine if percutaneous release with a 15° stab knife can effectively result in acceptable efficacy and lower complication rate. Methods In the present study, the percutaneous release of the A1 pulley was evaluated by percutaneous release using a 15° stab knife in 20 fresh-frozen cadaver hands (10 cadavers). One hundred fingers were finally included in the present study. The success rate of A1 pulley release as well as the complications of this method including digital vascular injury, A2 pulley injury, and superficial flexor tendon injury was evaluated, and finally, the data were analyzed by the SPSS software. Results The results showed a success rate of 75% for A1 pulley release in four fingers, followed by eleven fingers (90%) and eighty-five fingers (100%). Therefore, the A1 pulley was found to be completely released in eighty-five fingers (100%). Overall, the mean of A1 pulley release for these fingers was determined as 97.9%, indicating that percutaneous trigger finger release can be an effective technique using a 15° stab knife. Furthermore, our findings revealed no significant difference in the amount of A1 pulley release in each of the fingers in the right and left hands. Additionally, 17 fingers developed superficial scrape in flexor tendons, while 83 fingers showed no flexor tendons injuries and no other injuries (i.e., vascular, digital nerve, and A2 pulley injuries). Conclusions Percutaneous release of the A1 pulley using a 15° stab knife was contributed to acceptable efficacy and a relatively good safety in the cadaveric model.

Pulley, Flexor, and Extensor Tendon Injuries of the Hand

Tendon injuries represent the second most common injury of the hand (after fractures) and are a common scanning indication in radiology. Pulley injuries are very frequent in rock climbers with the A2 pulley the most commonly affected. Tendon and pulley injuries can be reliably evaluated using ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). US can be postulated as a first-line imaging modality, allowing dynamic examination. MRI is essential for cases with ongoing diagnostic doubt post-US and also for preoperative pulley reconstruction assessment.

Giant Cell Tumor on Tendon Sheath of the Hand: The Incidence of Recurrence, Functional Outcomes and a Literature Review

Giant Cell Tumor on Tendon Sheath (GCTTS) of the hand is a benign nodular tumor originated from tendon sheath of the tendons and the joints and is the second most common soft tissue tumor of the hand after ganglion cyst. The aim of this study is to evaluate 79 cases of giant cell tumor of tendon sheath of the hand and to analyze the postoperative functional outcomes and recurrence rate of the tumor in a mean period of five years follow up. Material and Methods: Fifty five subjects were females and twenty four males with an average age of 38,8 years-old (range23-65 years old) were included in this study. The most frequent location of tumor was the index finger (32/79 patients, 40,5%). The majority of patients was presented in outpatient’s clinic for a painless swelling on volar side of the digit, while only 13(16,45%) patients presented for painful mass and numbness of the digit in 7(8,9%) cases. All cases were categorized by Al-Qattan classification system with type I lesion in 51(64,5 %) cases and type II in 28(35,5 %) cases. Dimension of tumors macroscopically varied from 0,4cm to 5 cm. In 12 cases we reconstructed the A2 pulley to avoid bowstring deformity and eventual postoperative loss of hand function. In 12 cases we reconstructed the A2 pulley to avoid bowstring deformity and eventual postoperative loss of hand function. 8 patents with bone erosion underwent postoperatively complementary local radiotherapy. A standard protocol of rehabilitation was performed in all patients. Results: Results were evaluated according to complications, range of motion, Quick Dash Score and functional satisfaction of patients in a mean follow-up of 49 months. Two major complications presented in this study: 5 cases with transitional neuroapraxia and 6 cases with recurrence of the tumor with a mean of postsurgical period 14,8 months. Finally at last assessment the mean Quick Dash Score was 4,5 (range from 0-11,4) the range of motion was fully recovered in 73 patients while patient’s satisfaction rated from “very satisfied” in 58(73,4%) cases, “satisfied” in 17(21,5) and “dissatisfied” in 4(5,1%) patients. Conclusions: Giant cell tumor of tendon sheath of the hand is a common tumor which presents a high incidence of recurrence in different populations of patients. The goal of treatment is to reduce the recurrence rate and restore a functional hand. The operation procedure should be well planned preoperatively, the tumor must excised en block, dissection must be under surgical loop and must be emphasized to remove satellite lesion while when patients present increased risk factors or inadequate excision of the mass, postoperative radiotherapy is performed.

Are Adolescent Climbers Aware of the Most Common Youth Climbing Injury and Safe Training Practices?

Finger growth plate injuries are the most common youth climbing injuries. The purpose of our study was to understand youth awareness of the most common youth climbing injury and safe training practices. We surveyed climbers, ages eight to 18 years old, at the 2017 USA Climbing Sport and Speed Youth National Championships. A total of 267 climbers completed the survey (mean age = 14 ± 2.7 years; 52% male). The A2 pulley injury was reported as the most common youth climbing injury by the largest portion of participants, 36%. The second most commonly identified injury was at the growth plate of the finger, 15% of participants, which was reported as significantly less than the A2 pulley injury, p < 0.001. Six percent of climbers reported the correct safe age to start double dyno campus board training. Roughly 18% of athletes identified growth plate injuries exclusively as a stress fracture, whereas 29.2% of those climbers self-reported as informed about finger growth plate injuries, but only 7.4% of climbers who self-reported as uninformed answered this question correctly. Misperceptions about skeletally-immature climbing injuries are prevalent amongst youth climbers. Education on the prevalence of finger growth plate injuries and the scarcity of A2 pulley injuries in youth climbers can increase diagnostic accuracy, improve care, and reduce long-term complications.

Location and Extent of A1, A2 Release and Its Impact on Tendon Subluxation and Bowstringing—A Cadaveric Study

Surgical treatment of trigger finger involves release of A1 pulley. Some authors have theorized that the loss of A1 pulley can lead to ulnar subluxation of flexor tendons, which can be prevented by release of A1 pulley radially, even in a nonrheumatoid hand. However, there is no evidence in literature to either support or oppose this hypothesis. Occasionally, difficulty is encountered to precisely identify where A1 ends and A2 begins. While incomplete release of A1 can cause relapse of triggering, release of substantial A2 can cause bowstringing. Knowledge of the safe limit of concomitant A2 release is beneficial. The study was conducted in 12 cadaver upper extremity specimens. A1 pulleys of 48 fingers were divided at the radial (24 fingers) or ulnar (24 fingers) attachment. A 20lb traction force was applied on the flexor tendons. Any subluxation or bowstringing was noted. The experiment was repeated following serial release of the A2—initially 25%, followed by 50% and 100%. No bowstringing or subluxation was noted when A1 pulley was opened, either by radial or ulnar incision. The same was true for A1 + 25% A2 release. When A1 + 50% A2 pulley were released, bowstringing was observed in 3/48 fingers. When A1 + 100% of the A2 pulley were released, bowstringing occurred in all cases. The location of incision for release of the A1 pulley has no effect on bowstringing or tendon subluxation. Release of additional 25% of the A2 pulley can be performed safely, which corresponds to the level of palmar digital crease.