This week in Hand & Upper Extremity

Jul 6–12, 2026 · 22 new studies, 10 reviews · Hand & Upper Extremity archive · All weeks

The new Hand & Upper Extremity research The Reduction sent the week of Jul 6–12, 2026, with the week’s most recent reviews, each with a one-line summary.

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New research

  1. Epidemiology and Clinical Implications of Scaphoid Morphology Based on Morsy Classification.

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

    Type I scaphoids predominate at 80% prevalence in the general population; type II scaphoids show higher left-handedness but no other demographic differences.

  2. Carpal Tunnel Release Using Ultrasound Guidance: Two-Year Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial Within the Military.

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

    Ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release and mini-open release show similar long-term outcomes, though ultrasound reduces early incisional pain.

  3. Application of Quantitative Computed Tomography and Finite Element Analysis to the Lunate: An Exploratory Study of Bone Density and Strength in Young and Older Women.

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

    Older women have significantly lower lunate bone density and strength than younger women, suggesting age-related fragility fracture mechanism.

  4. Ulnar Neuroma-in-Continuity Following Distal Radius Fracture: A Rare Complication Requiring Reconstruction with Nerve Allograft and Dynamic Tendon Transfer.

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

    Ulnar neuroma-in-continuity after distal radius fracture is rare but treatable with nerve allograft and dynamic tendon transfer, achieving functional recovery when early investigation identifies structural nerve injury.

  5. Stepwise surgical approach for triggering distal to the A2 pulley after A1 pulley release.

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

    Persistent trigger finger distal to A2 pulley after A1 release treated successfully with stepwise approach including ulnar flexor digitorum superficialis slip excision and flexor tenoplasty.

  6. Palmar Dislocation of the Trapezoid with Associated Carpometacarpal Injuries: Two Case Reports and Literature Review.

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

    Palmar trapezoid dislocation is exceptionally rare but recognizable; dorsal open reduction with ligament repair and temporary fixation preserves anatomy and prevents avascular necrosis.

  7. Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Hand.

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

    Merkel cell carcinoma of the hand is rare and aggressive, requiring early diagnosis through high clinical suspicion, wide excision, and adjuvant radiation to optimize patient outcomes.

  8. Novel Utilization of a Preangulated, Osseointegrated Implant in a Case of Metacarpophalangeal Amputation: Design, Technique, and Rehabilitation Protocols Plus Functional Outcomes.

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

    First US thumb osseointegration using preangulated implant achieved successful opposition, improved hand function, and sensation within 13 months, establishing feasibility of single-stage digital reconstruction.

  9. Orthopedic Provider Accuracy for Ultrasound Detection of Peripheral Nerve Injuries: A Cadaveric Educational Study.

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

    Brief ultrasound training improved orthopedic providers' accuracy for detecting nerve lacerations and intact nerves but remained limited for neuroma identification, with performance independent of device type.

  10. Association of Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status With Time to Consultation and Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

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

    Neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation was not associated with clinically meaningful delays to carpal tunnel surgery, suggesting equitable access to specialist care and treatment.

  11. Association of Lunate Facet Inclination Angle and Interfacet Angle With Kienböck Disease: A Biomechanical Study.

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

    Flatter lunate facet inclination angles increase mechanical stress on the lunate, suggesting this anatomical parameter may contribute to Kienböck disease development.

  12. Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Combined With 3-Dimensional Hyaluronan-Based Scaffold Promote Tendon-to-Bone Tunnel Healing.

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

    Mesenchymal stem cell exosomes combined with hyaluronan scaffolds enhance tendon-to-bone healing through improved vascularization and growth factor expression in preclinical models.

  13. Synovial Chondromatosis of Hand and Wrist: A Case Series.

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

    Synovial chondromatosis of hand and wrist is rare but should be considered in differential diagnosis; total or subtotal synovectomy reduces recurrence after loose body removal.

  14. Treatment of humeral shaft nonunion by exchange intramedullary nailing and circumferential cortical strut allograft: the Sarcophagus technique.

    JSES Reviews, Reports & Techniques · Aug 2026 · PubMed

    The Sarcophagus technique combining intramedullary nailing with circumferential cortical strut allograft achieves 87.5% union rate in humeral shaft nonunion with favorable functional recovery and minimal complications.

  15. Plates or K-Wires Fixation for Fifth Metacarpal Neck Fractures? A Comparative Study.

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

    K-wire fixation and plate fixation showed equivalent clinical outcomes for fifth metacarpal neck fractures, but K-wires had fewer complications, making them preferable for initial surgical management.

  16. Lateral epicondylar fractures in the pediatric population: Presentation, management, and outcomes.

    Injury · Aug 2026 · PubMed

    Pediatric lateral epicondyle fractures are rare but frequently missed sports injuries; nondisplaced cases heal well with immobilization while displaced fractures require careful assessment for concomitant injuries.

  17. The Relationship Between Duration of Dialysis and Carpal Tunnel Release Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

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

    Carpal tunnel release improves symptoms in hemodialysis patients but shows higher persistent CTS rates in those with >10 years on dialysis prior to diagnosis.

  18. Effectiveness of a Structured Training Program in Pediatric Distal Radial Fracture Reduction for Orthopaedic Advanced Practice Providers.

    Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American) · Jul 09 2026 · PubMed

    Structured training enables advanced practice providers to perform pediatric distal radial fracture reductions comparably to experienced residents with better retention and lower loss-of-reduction rates.

  19. Pronator Quadratus Pedicled Rotational Flap: Anatomic Feasibility Study for Regional Soft Tissue Coverage of the Forearm and Wrist.

    HAND · Jul 07 2026 · PubMed

    Pronator quadratus pedicled rotational flap based on anterior interosseous artery reliably covers dorsal and radial forearm and wrist defects, offering an alternative for local soft tissue reconstruction.

  20. How Is Platelet-rich Plasma Utilized by Outpatient Providers When Covered by Insurance Without Need for Preauthorization?

    Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research · Jul 07 2026 · PubMed

    TRICARE's coverage of platelet-rich plasma injections without preauthorization increased utilization sixfold with questionable efficacy, highlighting risks of insurance coverage without evidence-based review.

  21. Tendon safety profiles of fragment-specific fixations of the distal radius extending beyond the watershed line.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (European) · Jul 01 2026 · PubMed

    Adjustable anterior rim plates for distal radius fractures beyond the watershed line significantly reduce tendon irritation compared to other fragment-specific fixation options.

  22. Surgery for unmeasurable neuropathy to alleviate non-specific upper extremity pain: round table discussion.

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

    Surgery for unmeasurable upper extremity neuropathy lacks objective diagnostic tests, raising ethical concerns about placebo effects and determining treatment effectiveness.

Recent reviews

  1. Integrated nerve and tendon transfer approach to restore functional balance of the hand in tetraplegia.

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

    Integrated nerve and tendon transfers restore hand function in tetraplegia through tailored surgical reconstruction combined with comprehensive preoperative optimization and structured postoperative rehabilitation.

  2. A Review of Transformers in Medical Research and Health Care.

    Hand Clinics · Feb 2026 · PubMed

    Transformer artificial intelligence models show promise in medical research through self-attention mechanisms for analyzing text, images, and biological sequences, but face challenges with data quality, interpretability, and ethical concerns.

  3. Advances in Imaging of Traumatic Nerve Injuries.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Nov 15 2025 · PubMed

    High-resolution ultrasound and magnetic resonance neurography effectively diagnose traumatic nerve injuries and guide surgical decision-making.

  4. The role of orthobiologics in bone healing and joint and tendon degeneration in the upper limb.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (European) · Jun 2025 · PubMed

    PRP and MSCs show promise for bone healing but lack clinical evidence for tendinopathies and osteoarthritis; high-quality trials needed before widespread application in upper limb.

  5. The failed adult traumatic brachial plexus reconstruction.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (European) · Dec 2024 · PubMed

    Failed brachial plexus reconstruction management includes late options such as tendon transfers, joint fusions, free functioning muscle transfers, and prosthetics tailored to patient goals.

  6. Benign Bone Tumors of the Hand: Beyond Enchondromas.

    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · Nov 01 2024 · PubMed

    Beyond enchondromas, hand surgeons should recognize benign bone tumors including osteogenic lesions, giant cell tumor, fibrous dysplasia, and unique entities like Nora lesions requiring distinct management approaches.

  7. How Are Radial Height and Radial Shortening Defined in the Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures? A Critical Review.

    HAND · Jul 2024 · PubMed

    Radial height measurement lacks standardization in distal radius fracture literature, with substantial discrepancies that affect treatment decisions and outcomes.

  8. Updates in diagnostic tools for diagnosing nerve injury and compressions.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (European) · Jun 2024 · PubMed

    Multimodal assessment combining clinical evaluation, electrodiagnostics, ultrasound, and MR neurography improves preoperative understanding of nerve injury severity and predicts functional recovery better than any single modality.

  9. Principles and Evaluation of Bony Unions.

    Hand Clinics · Feb 2024 · PubMed

    Nonunion diagnosis requires thorough history, exam, and imaging; advanced modalities help confirm union when diagnosis is unclear.

  10. Use of nerve conduction studies in carpal tunnel syndrome.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (European) · Nov 2023 · PubMed

    Nerve conduction studies quantify median nerve demyelination and axonal loss, predict surgical outcomes, and monitor treatment response in carpal tunnel syndrome.

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