This week in Hand & Upper Extremity

Jun 22–28, 2026 · 33 new studies, 10 reviews · Hand & Upper Extremity archive · All weeks

The new Hand & Upper Extremity research The Reduction sent the week of Jun 22–28, 2026, with the week’s most recent reviews, each with a one-line summary.

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New research

  1. Strategies for Work-up and Treatment of Case Scenarios in Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (American) · Sep 2026 · PubMed

    Expert hand surgeons favor supraclavicular decompression with pectoralis tenotomy for thoracic outlet syndrome, with individualized approaches to complex cases.

  2. Morphological changes in tennis elbow after PRP injection: a novel MRI-based assessment in a randomized controlled study.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Sep 2026 · PubMed

    LR-PRP showed modest benefit in reducing partial tendon tears and soft tissue edema in tennis elbow, but overall improvement was not superior to saline placebo.

  3. Comparative Efficacy of Anterior MIPO with PHILOS versus Posterior ORIF with EA-LCP in Distal Third Humerus Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

    Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma · Sep 01 2026 · PubMed

    Anterior minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for distal humerus fractures achieved faster union and lower blood loss than posterior open reduction.

  4. Staged Centralisation and Pollicisation for Radial Longitudinal Deficiency: A Case Series Emphasising Pre-pollicisation Index-Middle Finger Pinch Training.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (Asian-Pacific) · Aug 2026 · PubMed

    Staged centralisation and pollicisation for radial longitudinal deficiency with pre-pollicisation pinch training achieved early grasp and fine motor skills.

  5. Flexor Tendon Rupture after One Corticosteroid Injection in the Treatment of Trigger Finger: A Case Report and Literature Review.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (Asian-Pacific) · Aug 2026 · PubMed

    Flexor tendon rupture after single corticosteroid injection is rare but possible; extra-tendinous low-dose injection with activity restriction minimizes risk.

  6. Proximal ulnar osteochondroma as a potential risk factor for radial head dislocation: A retrospective analysis.

    Journal of Children's Orthopaedics · Aug 2026 · PubMed

    Proximal ulnar osteochondromas in hereditary multiple osteochondromas predispose to radial head dislocation; surgical resection prevents subluxation or dislocation.

  7. In Vitro Kinetic and Kinematic Analysis of a Recently Designed Total Wrist Implant.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (American) · Aug 2026 · PubMed

    This total wrist arthroplasty implant significantly reduced extension, radial, and ulnar deviation versus native wrist, highlighting motion loss and radial impingement as design concerns.

  8. Can Computed Tomography Hounsfield Units Predict Distal Humerus Fracture Mechanical Complications?

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Aug 15 2026 · PubMed

    Lower CT Hounsfield units and current smoking predict mechanical complications after distal humerus fracture fixation, identifying high-risk patients needing closer surveillance.

  9. Assessing Large Language Models for Clinical Coding in Hand Surgery: Effect of Note Authorship, Prompt Design, and Diagnosis/Procedure Type.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Aug 01 2026 · PubMed

    Large language models poorly predict ICD-10 codes (24% accuracy) but perform well for CPT codes (92%), requiring optimization before clinical use.

  10. Surgeon Preferences and Outcome Predictions for Displaced Distal Radius Fractures in Elderly Patients: A Survey of 151 Surgeons Making 4,832 Treatment Predictions Based on Patient Profiles and Radiographs.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (Global Online) · Jul 2026 · PubMed

    Surgeons predicted functional outcomes for elderly distal radius fractures with only 51.5% accuracy—no better than chance—highlighting need for evidence-based guidelines beyond surgeon intuition.

  11. Nonbrachial Plexopathy Diagnoses Seen in a Brachial Plexus Injury Specialty Clinic.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (Global Online) · Jul 2026 · PubMed

    Seven percent of brachial plexus referrals had nonplexus diagnoses; multidisciplinary evaluation prevented misdiagnosis and guided appropriate treatment including surgery in 15% of cases.

  12. All-Terrain Vehicle-Related Distal Upper-Extremity Injury Rates and Patterns.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (Global Online) · Jul 2026 · PubMed

    ATV-related upper-extremity injuries increased despite declining overall ATV trauma, with males and adolescents predominantly affected; more prevention focus needed.

  13. Long-term Grip Strength and Complications After Total Wrist Fusion With and Without Inclusion of the Third Carpometacarpal Joint: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (Global Online) · Jul 2026 · PubMed

    Third CMC joint bridging has higher late complications than fusion; fusion and sparing show similar grip strength, supporting surgeon choice based on patient anatomy.

  14. Distal Radius Volar Shear Fractures: A Computed Tomography Characterization and Analysis.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (American) · Jul 2026 · PubMed

    CT imaging reveals dorsal cortical fractures in 70% of volar shear distal radius fractures, identifying complexity missed on radiographs and guiding comprehensive fixation strategies.

  15. Trends in Treatment and Reimbursement of Dupuytren Disease.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (Global Online) · Jul 2026 · PubMed

    Over 20 years, minimally invasive Dupuytren treatments increased while fasciectomy declined, but inflation-adjusted reimbursement dropped 38%, signaling growing financial pressure on providers.

  16. Lean and Green Hand Surgery in the Office: Does It Work?

    Journal of Hand Surgery (Global Online) · Jul 2026 · PubMed

    Office-based wide-awake hand surgery using lean, custom surgical packs is safe and cost-effective, saving over $4,600 and 1.1 tons of waste annually with 99% patient satisfaction.

  17. Closing Wedge Osteotomy With Cannulated Screw Fixation in Clinodactyly: A Surgical Technique Guide.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (Global Online) · Jul 2026 · PubMed

    A closing wedge osteotomy fixed with a headless cannulated screw offers stable correction of clinodactyly with early mobilization; technique and pearls are described.

  18. Lunocapitate versus Four-Corner Arthrodesis Using Headless Compression Screws in Treatment of Scapholunate Advanced Collapse and Scaphoid Nonunion Advanced Collapse Wrist: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

    Journal of Wrist Surgery · Jun 2026 · PubMed

    Four-corner and lunocapitate fusions show similar outcomes; lunocapitate preserves function better but has higher complication rates requiring further study.

  19. Are There Thermal Risks Associated With Dry Arthroscopy? A Simulated Comparison of Temperatures in Wet Versus Dry Wrist Arthroscopy.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (American) · Jun 2026 · PubMed

    Dry wrist arthroscopy is generally thermally safe, but surgeons should use LED light sources at minimum intensity and intermittently flush the joint to prevent tissue-damaging heat buildup.

  20. Ulnar Slip Flexor Digitorum Superficialis Excision in Trigger Finger Surgery: Anatomic Study.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (American) · Jun 2026 · PubMed

    Ulnar FDS slip excision through a palmar-only incision leaves a substantial residual stump near the A2 pulley, risking persistent triggering and possibly requiring more distal excision.

  21. Quality Measures Addressing Disparities to Improve Outcomes in Hand Surgery.

    HAND · Jun 23 2026 · PubMed

    Fourteen quality measures addressing health disparities in hand surgery were identified and accepted by expert consensus to improve equitable outcomes.

  22. Early Electrophysiological Recovery After Carpal Tunnel Release in Severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome With Absent Preoperative Nerve Potentials.

    HAND · Jun 13 2026 · PubMed

    Younger patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome show early nerve recovery after release even with absent preoperative potentials, providing prognostic reassurance for surgical candidates.

  23. Specialty representation and interdisciplinary collaboration in hand surgery research over four decades.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (European) · Jun 10 2026 · PubMed

    Hand surgery research increasingly involves interdisciplinary collaboration, with orthopaedics leading contributions and surgeon–hand therapist partnerships growing substantially over four decades.

  24. Double Cerclage Wiring (DCW) of Displaced Stable Olecranon Fractures.

    Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery · Jun 01 2026 · PubMed

    Double cerclage wiring for olecranon fractures reduced complications and reoperations compared to standard tension band wiring in early findings.

  25. How Does a Prior Olecranon Osteotomy Impact the Outcome of Subsequent Total Elbow Arthroplasty?

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Jun 01 2026 · PubMed

    TEA after prior olecranon osteotomy achieves 76% ten-year revision-free survival with good functional outcomes, though slightly inferior to primary TEA.

  26. An AI-Driven Pipeline for Localization, Segmentation, and Classification of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Ultrasound Images of the Median Nerve.

    HAND · May 30 2026 · PubMed

    AI-driven ultrasound pipeline achieved 94% accuracy for carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis, potentially reducing examiner-dependent variability and supporting clinical decision-making.

  27. Senile Scaphoids: Outcomes of Surgical Fixation for Scaphoid Fractures in an Elderly Population.

    HAND · May 30 2026 · PubMed

    Elderly patients aged ≥60 achieve similar scaphoid fracture union rates and low complications as younger patients when surgically fixed, challenging age-based restrictions on operative treatment.

  28. Factors associated with variation in treatment of the distal radioulnar joint after plate fixation of distal radial fractures.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (European) · May 27 2026 · PubMed

    Surgeons frequently recommend DRUJ treatment after distal radius plating, particularly in younger patients with high-energy injuries, despite limited evidence supporting this approach.

  29. Minimally Invasive Hybrid Fixation for Unstable Metacarpal Shaft Fractures: A New Approach to Extend Intramedullary Screw Indications.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (American) · May 23 2026 · PubMed

    A hybrid intramedullary screw plus suture cerclage technique achieved 100% union and excellent function in unstable spiral/oblique metacarpal fractures, expanding indications beyond standard IM fixation.

  30. The internal joint stabilizer in lateral ulnar collateral ligament injuries: a biomechanical study.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · May 12 2026 · PubMed

    Internal joint stabilizer effectively reduces varus laxity and LUCL strain in disrupted elbows, providing viable treatment for posterolateral rotatory instability.

  31. Structural predictors of mechanical instability after posterolateral elbow dislocation: a magnetic resonance imaging-based threshold model.

    Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Apr 30 2026 · PubMed

    Concurrent failure of the flexor-pronator mass and posterolateral ligament (Double Hit pattern) on MRI reliably identifies posterolateral elbow dislocations needing surgery with 98.8% specificity.

  32. Radial polydactyly and thumb hypoplasia: retrospective analysis of clinical presentations and a proposed surgical strategy.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (European) · Apr 24 2026 · PubMed

    When radial polydactyly coexists with thumb hypoplasia, addressing both anomalies together yields good function and appearance, so surgeons should actively screen for hypoplasia.

  33. Reconstruction of Wassel-Flatt type IV-VII radial polydactyly with a modified Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure: a consecutive series of 22 cases.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (European) · Mar 31 2026 · PubMed

    Modified Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure achieves near-normal thumb size and high satisfaction for Wassel IV–VII polydactyly with two small duplicates, making it a reliable combination technique.

Recent reviews

  1. What's New in Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) Hand Surgery?

    Journal of Hand Surgery (Global Online) · Jul 2026 · PubMed

    WALANT hand surgery provides noninferior outcomes, high patient satisfaction, environmental benefits, and cost savings compared to regional/general anesthesia.

  2. Pediatric Finger Fractures: Preventing Big Problems After Small Fractures.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (American) · Mar 2026 · PubMed

    Most pediatric finger fractures heal well nonoperatively, but recognizing problematic patterns guides surgical indications for optimal outcomes.

  3. Culp Midcarpal Reconstruction to Treat Palmar Midcarpal Instability.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (American) · Aug 2025 · PubMed

    Ligament reconstruction and thermal capsulorrhaphy for palmar midcarpal instability achieved symptom relief and improved outcomes in seven patients at 34-month follow-up.

  4. Neonatal Limb Compartment Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (American) · Mar 2025 · PubMed

    Early fasciotomy within 24 hours significantly reduces complications in neonatal compartment syndrome; sentinel skin lesions indicate urgent intervention need.

  5. Radiation Plexopathy.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (American) · Feb 2025 · PubMed

    Radiation-induced brachial plexopathy presents with delayed symptoms from fibrosis; surgical interventions include neurolysis and nerve transfers to restore function and reduce morbidity.

  6. Therapy for the Rheumatoid Hand.

    Hand Clinics · Feb 2025 · PubMed

    Occupational therapy synergizes with medication and surgery for rheumatoid hand, optimizing functional outcomes when integrated into comprehensive care protocols.

  7. Conceptual Framework in Assessing the Rheumatoid Patient with Hand Deformities.

    Hand Clinics · Feb 2025 · PubMed

    Hand surgeons must recognize early rheumatoid arthritis signs and assess deformities systematically, as hands often manifest disease before formal diagnosis.

  8. Understanding Emotional Intelligence to Enhance Leadership and Individualized Well-Being.

    Hand Clinics · Nov 2024 · PubMed

    Emotional intelligence and leadership development improve surgical team effectiveness; self-awareness and empathy are learnable clinical skills.

  9. Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Instability: A Comprehensive Review of Pathology and Operative Techniques.

    HAND · Oct 2024 · PubMed

    ECU tendon pathology causes ulnar-sided wrist pain in athletes; nonanatomical extensor retinaculum reconstruction demonstrates successful outcomes for instability.

  10. Surgical Hand Antisepsis: Environmental and Cost Impact in Hand Surgery.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (American) · Sep 2024 · PubMed

    Waterless alcohol-based hand antisepsis reduces water waste, costs, and environmental impact while maintaining surgical site infection prevention compared to traditional scrubbing.

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