Congenital Upper-Limb Differences: A 6-Year Literature Review

➤ The Oberg-Manske-Tonkin (OMT) classification of congenital hand and upper-limb anomalies continues to be refined as our understanding of the genetic and embryonic etiology of limb anomalies improves.➤ We have conducted an evaluation of graft and graftless techniques for syndactyly reconstruction; strengths and drawbacks exist for each technique.➤ Treatment for radial longitudinal deficiency remains controversial; however, radialization has shown promise in early follow-up for severe deformities.➤ Recent emphasis on psychosocial aspects of care has demonstrated that children with congenital upper-limb differences demonstrate good peer relationships and marked adaptability.

The Minimum Clinically Important Difference for the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation in Surgical Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures: Does Hand Dominance Make a Difference?

BACKGROUND

Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are common orthopaedic injuries. They can be treated in many ways, but the volar locking plate (VLP) is more frequent. Currently, there is limited information regarding the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in surgically treated DRFs. The purpose of this study was to calculate MCID values for the Patient-Reported Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) in the setting of VLP-treated DRFs.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted for patients with isolated, surgically-treated DRFs with a VLP. Exclusions included any concomitant procedure other than a carpal tunnel release, skeletal immaturity, polytrauma, open fracture, or missing PRWE data. MCID was calculated using PRWE, an overall health question, and the anchor-based method.

RESULTS

A total of 131 patients were identified. Approximately 54.2% injured their dominant hand. AO/OTA classification 23C was the most common (n=89, 67.9%). Average baseline, 6-week, and 12-week PRWE were 71.8 ± 19.6, 34.3 ± 20.1, and 21.2 ± 18.0 respectively. This corresponds to an average change from baseline PRWE at 6 weeks and 12 weeks of -37.5 ± 23.4 and -50.6 ± 22.3, respectively. Average MCID values for 6 weeks and 12 weeks were 43.1 ± 18 and 56.0 ± 20.0, respectively (p<0.001). Hand dominance did not correlate with MCID value (rs = 0.084 at six weeks, rs = 0.099 at 12 weeks). MCID value additionally did not correlate with sex, AO/OTA classification, smoking status, ASA score, or BMI. Treatment at a level 1 trauma center and diagnosis of anxiety and/or depression correlated with a higher 6-week MCID value (rs = 0.308 and rs = 0.410, respectively). Increasing age weakly correlated with higher 12-week MCID value (rs = 0.352).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated an MCID calculation using an overall health anchor. MCID value varied with follow-up time and correlated weakly with age, diagnosis of anxiety and/or depression, and treatment facility, but it did not correlate with injury of the dominant hand. Future research should analyze how to apply MCID and identify successful treatment in the setting of DRF care.

A Case Series of Surgically Treated Distal Radius Fractures: Implant Costs and Their Effect on Patient Outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are common injuries, warranting a need to analyze the cost of treatment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of implant costs on patient-reported outcomes in DRFs.

METHODS

A PRO registry was retrospectively reviewed for isolated, surgically treated DRF patients. A total of 140 patients met criteria to be included in this study. Implant cost was obtained from the chargemaster database.

RESULTS

The average total implant cost was $1,289.67 ± 215.32. The average Patient-rated Wrist Evaluation scores preoperatively, at 6 weeks, and at 12 weeks were 70.8 ± 20.1, 36.6 ± 21.1, and 22.8 ± 18.0, respectively. No statistically significant relationships were observed between cost and Patient-rated Wrist Evaluation scores at 6 weeks or 12 weeks (r = -0.05, P = 0.59; r = -0.04, P = 0.64, respectively). Implant costs were shown to not be affected by fracture complexity (AO/OTA classification: 23A = $1,335.50, 23B = $1,246.86, and 23C = $1,293.14).

DISCUSSION

The total cost of implants did not influence patient outcomes indicating that patients receive no additional benefit from more costly constructs.

Implant cost variation in surgically treated distal radius fractures

Aims & objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate for cost variation in distal radius fractures (DRFs) treated with a volar locking plate (VLP) and to identify key factors that affect the total construct cost.

Materials & methods

A retrospective case series was conducted for a single healthcare system. A total of 140 patients with a DRF treated with a VLP from May 2014 to December 2021 were identified. Patients were excluded for polytrauma, open fractures, and skeletal immaturity.

Results

Most patients were female (n = 120, 85.7%) and were on average 59 ± 13.7 years old. Patients most often injured their dominant hand (n = 75, 53.6%) and presented with an AO/OTA 23C fracture (n = 93, 66.4%). Twenty-two surgeons were included with fellowship training in hand or trauma and orthopaedic or plastic surgery residency. Orthopaedic hand-trained surgeons treated the highest proportion of 23C fractures (69.8%). Ninety patients (64.3%) were treated at a surgery center. The average cost was $1289.67 ± $215.32 (range: $857.83-$2156.95). The most expensive fixation constructs used a variable angle locking screw ($1316.75 ± $264.99) or a multidirectional threaded peg ($1321.67 ± $192.94). Multivariable regression analysis revealed none of the study variables to be significant contributors to construct cost (all p-values >0.27).

Conclusions

Surgically treated DRFs with a VLP demonstrated similar total implant costs regardless of fracture pattern, surgeon specialty, or treatment facility. Contrary to previous literature, VLPs showed minimal cost variation, although some surgeons were able to decrease the overall cost by reducing the number of screws used.

Complications in the 2-Year Postoperative Period Following Pediatric Syndactyly Release

PURPOSE

Syndactyly surgical release is one of the most common congenital hand surgeries performed by pediatric hand surgeons. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the complications associated with syndactyly release and determine factors that correlate with higher complication rates within the 2-year postoperative period.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was completed for patients who underwent syndactyly release at a single pediatric center between 2005 and 2018. Patients were included if they had a diagnosis of syndactyly and underwent surgical release, and excluded for a diagnosis of cleft hand, incomplete surgical documentation, surgery performed at an outside institution, or follow-up care that did not extend beyond the first postoperative visit. Complications were classified using the Clavien-Dindo (CD) system.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine patients met the inclusion criteria, which included 143 webs released in 85 surgeries. A total of 27 complications occurred for the 85 surgeries performed. The severity of complications was CD grade I or II in 23% of surgeries, most commonly unplanned cast changes, and CD grade III in 8% of surgeries. No CD grade IV or V complications occurred. The CD grade III complications included 6 reoperations. The complication rate was higher when performing >1 syndactyly release per surgery. It also was higher for patients undergoing >1 surgical event. Rates of complication per surgery were similar between patients with multiple surgeries compared with those with a single surgery. Concomitant diagnoses and complexity of syndactyly was not associated with a higher complication rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Syndactyly release was associated with a complication rate of 31% per surgical event with 44% of these complications related to unplanned cast changes and 8% of complications that required admission or reoperation. Risk factors for complications following syndactyly release include >1web operated on per surgery and undergoing >1 surgical event.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognosis IV.

Reliability of Radiographic Imaging Characteristics for Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum

BACKGROUND

A primary challenge in the treatment of capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is accurate imaging assessment. Radiographic classification consensus is not available in the current literature, and correlation of radiographs with lesion stability and resultant best treatment is lacking.

PURPOSE

To determine the inter- and intrarater reliability of the presence or absence and common radiographic characteristics of capitellar OCD lesions.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

Anteroposterior, lateral, and oblique radiographs for 29 cases were reviewed by 7 orthopaedic surgeons. Images were assessed for elbow anthropometry and morphology, OCD presence, lesion characteristics, the presence of progeny bone and progeny features, and radial head abnormalities. Intra- and interrater reliability was assessed using Fleiss and Cohen kappa for nominal variables and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for continuous variables.

RESULTS

Surgeons demonstrated substantial to excellent inter- and intrarater reliability when assessing elbow characteristics: anthropometric (interrater ICC, 0.94-0.99; intrarater ICC, 0.82-0.96) and morphologic (Fleiss, 0.61-0.76; Cohen, 0.68). When the OCD lesion was assessed, fair to moderate interrater agreement was found for classifying the absence or presence of a lesion (Fleiss, 0.28-0.46) and the location of the OCD (Fleiss, 0.24-0.52), poor agreement for assessing the contour of the lesion (Fleiss, 0.00-0.09), and excellent agreement for measuring the size of the lesion (ICC, 0.82-0.94). Poor to fair interrater agreement was found for radial head abnormalities (Fleiss, 0.00-0.27). Progeny bone visualization and fragmentation demonstrated moderate interrater agreement (Fleiss, 0.43-0.47) where displacement of the bone demonstrated poor interrater agreement (Fleiss, 0.11-0.16). Intrarater agreement for OCD lesion characteristics, progeny bone visualization, and progeny bone features was moderate to excellent.

CONCLUSION

Given only the fair to moderate agreement among raters for identifying OCD on radiographs, this imaging modality may not serve as a dependable screening tool in isolation. Additional imaging should be obtained if the clinical presentation suggests capitellar OCD and a definitive diagnosis is not possible with radiographs. However, clinicians can reliability measure the size of radiographically apparent OCD, suggesting that radiographs may serve as an appropriate imaging modality for follow-up care.

Comparison of Orthosis Management Failure Rates for Mallet Injuries

Purpose

A closed mallet injury is a common finger injury involving terminal extensor tendon avulsion from its insertion on the distal phalanx. Nonsurgical treatment with continuous extension orthosis fabrication is the preferred treatment. Our purpose was to report the failure rates of orthotic management by digit and investigate other factors that contribute to failure.

Methods

This was a retrospective chart review of all patients with an isolated mallet finger injury managed at our institution from 2011 to 2019. Patient demographics, details of management, and treatment outcomes were collected. Failure rates were compared for all digits, specifically comparing the little finger versus all other digits. A categorical variable analysis was performed to identify risk factors for failure of orthosis management.

Results

Out of 1,331 identified patients, 328 met the inclusion criteria. There was no statistically significant difference of failure rate between digits. There was a trend toward the little finger failing at a higher rate (n = 131, 40%) than the other digits individually (P = .08) and combined (n = 95, 29%; P = .06). An older age at injury was associated with failure. The median patient age with failure was 54 years, versus the median patient age with nonfailure of 48 years (P < .01). The failure rate was higher in tendinous versus bony mallet injuries (n = 131, 40% vs n = 66, 20%, respectively; P < .01). The orthotic type was associated with the failure rate, and failure was highest in patients treated with Stack orthoses (n = 183, 56%; P = .01).

Conclusions

There was no significant difference in the orthotic management failure rate by digit for a mallet injury. Statistically significant risk factors for failure are increasing age, a tendinous injury, and the orthotic type. Further evaluation with a larger cohort is warranted to increase the statistical power of the findings.

Type of study/level of evidence

Therapeutic III.

Low-Energy Pelvic Ring Fractures: A Care Conundrum

Introduction:

A need exists for improved care pathways for patients experiencing low-energy pelvic ring fractures. A review of the current literature was performed to understand the typical patient care and post-acute rehabilitation pathway within the US healthcare system. We also sought to summarize reported clinical outcomes worldwide. Significance: Low-energy pelvic ring fracture patients usually do not qualify for inpatient admission, yet they often require post-acute rehabilitative care. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) 3-day rule is a barrier to obtaining financial coverage of this rehabilitative care.

Results:

Direct admission of some patients to post-acute care facilities has shown promise with decreased cost, improved patient outcomes, and increased patient satisfaction. Secondary fracture prevention programs may also improve outcomes for this patient population.

Conclusions:

Post-acute care innovation and secondary fracture prevention should be prioritized in the low-energy pelvic fragility fracture patient population. To demonstrate the effect and feasibility of these improved care pathways, further studies are necessary.

A Comparative Analysis of 150 Thumb Polydactyly Cases from the CoULD Registry Using the Wassel-Flatt, Rotterdam, and Chung Classifications

PURPOSE

Three commonly used classifications for thumb polydactyly are the Wassel-Flatt, Rotterdam, and Chung. The ideal classification system would have high validity and reliability and be descriptive of the thumb anomaly. The purposes of this investigation were to (1) compare the inter- and intrarater reliability of these 3 classifications when applied to a large sample of patients enrolled in the Congenital Upper Limb Differences (CoULD) Registry and (2) determine the prevalence of radial polydactyly types when using the various classifications in a North American population.

METHODS

Inter- and intrarater reliability were determined using 150 cases of radial polydactyly presented in a Web-based format to 7 raters in 3 rounds, a preliminary training round and 2 observation rounds. Raters classified each case according to the Wassel-Flatt, Rotterdam, and Chung classifications. Inter- and intrarater reliability were evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) calculated using 2-way random measures with perfect agreement.

RESULTS

For Wassel-Flatt, both the interrater (ICC, 0.93) and the intrarater reliability (ICC, 0.91) were excellent. The Rotterdam classification had excellent reliability for both interrater reliability (ICC, 0.98) and intrarater reliability (ICC, 0.94), when considering type alone. Interrater analysis of the additional subtypes demonstrated a wide range of reliabilities. The Chung classification had good interrater (ICC, 0.88) and intrarater reliability (ICC, 0.77). Within the Wassel-Flatt classification, the most frequent unclassifiable thumb was a type IV hypoplastic thumb as classified by the Rotterdam classification.

CONCLUSIONS

The Wassel-Flatt and Rotterdam classifications for radial polydactyly have excellent inter- and intrarater reliability. Despite its simplicity, the Chung classification was less reliable in comparison. The Chung and Rotterdam classification systems capture the hypoplastic subtypes that are unclassifiable in the Wassel-Flatt system. Addition of the hypoplastic subtype to the Wassel-Flatt classification (eg, Wassel-Flatt type IVh) would maintain the highest reliability and classify over 90% of thumbs deemed unclassifiable in the Wassel-Flatt system.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The Wassel-Flatt and Rotterdam classifications have excellent inter-and intrarater reliability for the hand surgeon treating thumb polydactyly. Addition of a hypoplastic subtype to the Wassel-Flatt (Type 4h) allows classification of most previously unclassifiable thumbs.

Preoperative Antibiotics in Wrist Arthroscopy

PURPOSE

This study seeks to evaluate the need for preoperative antibiotics for wrist arthroscopy.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 576 consecutive wrist arthroscopies was performed over a 10-year period at a single ambulatory surgery center. The chart of each included patient was reviewed for postoperative infections following the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance criteria for diagnosis.

RESULTS

Of the 576 wrist arthroscopies reviewed, 324 met the inclusion criteria. Preoperative antibiotics were administered in 209 cases (65%) and not administered in 115 cases (35%). There were 116 cases (36%) with concomitant open soft tissue procedures. We identified 2 infections (0.6% overall infection rate), both of which were in patients who had received preoperative antibiotics. Both of these patients underwent concomitant percutaneous pinning of carpal bones with Kirschner wires, which were buried beneath the skin.

CONCLUSIONS

Administering preoperative antibiotics for routine wrist arthroscopy does not appear to lower the surgical site infection rate. The rate of surgical site infection is so low in both cohorts that a meaningful difference cannot be determined between the 2 groups. This study adds to the current body of literature suggesting that it is acceptable practice to withhold preoperative antibiotics for surgeries that have a very low rate of infection.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic IV.

Acquired Upper Extremity Growth Arrest

This study reviewed the clinical history and management of acquired growth arrest in the upper extremity in pediatric patients. The records of all patients presenting from 1996 to 2012 with radiographically proven acquired growth arrest were reviewed. Records were examined to determine the etiology and site of growth arrest, management, and complications. Patients with tumors or hereditary etiology were excluded. A total of 44 patients (24 boys and 20 girls) with 51 physeal arrests who presented at a mean age of 10.6 years (range, 0.8-18.2 years) were included in the study. The distal radius was the most common site (n=24), followed by the distal humerus (n=8), metacarpal (n=6), distal ulna (n=5), proximal humerus (n=4), radial head (n=3), and olecranon (n=1). Growth arrest was secondary to trauma (n=22), infection (n=11), idiopathy (n=6), inflammation (n=2), compartment syndrome (n=2), and avascular necrosis (n=1). Twenty-six patients (59%) underwent surgical intervention to address deformity caused by the physeal arrest. Operative procedures included ipsilateral unaffected bone epiphysiodesis (n=21), shortening osteotomy (n=10), lengthening osteotomy (n=8), excision of physeal bar or bone fragment (n=2), angular correction osteotomy (n=1), and creation of single bone forearm (n=1). Four complications occurred; 3 of these required additional procedures. Acquired upper extremity growth arrest usually is caused by trauma or infection, and the most frequent site is the distal radius. Growth disturbances due to premature arrest can be treated effectively with epiphysiodesis or osteotomy. In this series, the specific site of anatomic growth arrest was the primary factor in determining treatment. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(1):e95-e103.].

Epidemiology of congenital upper limb anomalies in a midwest United States population: an assessment using the Oberg, Manske, and Tonkin classification

PURPOSE

To examine the relative presentation frequency of children with upper limb congenital anomalies at 3 Midwestern referral centers using the Oberg, Manske, and Tonkin (OMT) classification and to assess the utility of this new classification system.

METHODS

641 individuals with 653 congenital upper extremity anomalies were identified at 3 hospitals in 2 large metropolitan areas during a 1-year interval. Patients were identified prospectively and the specific upper extremity anomaly and any associated syndromes were confirmed using medical records and radiographs. We applied the OMT classification that categorizes anomalies using a dysmorphology outline as malformations, dysplasias, deformations, and syndromes, and assessed its utility and ease of use.

RESULTS

There were 480 extremities (74%) with a limb malformation including 184 involving the entire limb. Arthrogryposis was the most common of these (53 extremities). Anomalies affecting only the hand plate accounted for 62% (296) of the malformations. Of these, radial polydactyly (15%) was the most common specific anomaly, followed by symbrachydactyly (13%) and cleft hand (11%). Dysplasias were noted in 86 extremities; 55 of these were multiple hereditary exostoses. There were 87 extremities with deformations and 58 of these were trigger digits. A total of 109 children had a syndrome or association. Constriction ring sequence was most common. The OMT was straightforward to use and most anomalies could be easily assigned. There were a few conditions, such as Madelung deformity and symbrachydactyly, that would benefit from clarification on how to best classify them.

CONCLUSIONS

Malformations were the most common congenital anomalies in the 653 upper extremities evaluated over a 1-year period at 3 institutions. We were able to classify all individuals using the OMT classification system.