This week in Hand & Upper Extremity

Jul 20–26, 2026 · 17 new studies, 10 reviews · Hand & Upper Extremity archive · All weeks

The new Hand & Upper Extremity research The Reduction sent the week of Jul 20–26, 2026, with the week’s most recent reviews, each with a one-line summary.

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New research

  1. Treatment of Kienböck's disease with capitate shortening and retrograde intermetacarpal screw fixation.

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

    A minimally invasive capitate shortening technique with retrograde intermetacarpal screw fixation offers a less invasive option for treating Kienböck's disease with reduced soft-tissue exposure.

  2. Untreated ulnar styloid fractures do not compromise wrist function in patients with distal radius fractures: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

    Injury · Aug 2026 · PubMed

    Untreated ulnar styloid fractures do not compromise wrist function or grip strength in patients with distal radius fractures at medium to long-term follow-up.

  3. Modified Manktelow Step-Cut Osteotomy for Rotational Malunion of the Long Fingers: Tips and Pearls From a 7-Patient Series.

    HAND · Jul 25 2026 · PubMed

    In a 7-patient series, the modified Manktelow step-cut osteotomy reliably corrected finger rotational malunion with improved motion and no complications.

  4. Determinants of patient satisfaction 5 years after dual-mobility trapeziometacarpal joint implant arthroplasty.

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

    At 5 years after dual-mobility trapeziometacarpal joint arthroplasty, 93% of patients were satisfied, with lower pain and better hand function (not baseline factors or complications) driving satisfaction, alongside 96% implant survival.

  5. The effect of subtendinous connective tissue restraints on extension of the vascularized toe joint transfer: a propensity score-matched comparison.

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

    Releasing subtendinous connective tissue beneath the EDL during vascularized toe PIP joint transfer reduces extensor lag without compromising perfusion or increasing revision rates.

  6. Primary and secondary stabilizers of the scapholunate joint: a systematic review of cadaveric ligament sectioning studies.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (European) · Jul 22 2026 · PubMed

    This systematic review of cadaveric studies confirms the scapholunate interosseous ligament as the primary stabilizer and the dorsal intercarpal ligament as the key secondary stabilizer, emphasizing the need to restore both to prevent progressive instability.

  7. A five-year radiostereometry study of cup fixation and implant survival in 484 Moovis trapeziometacarpal arthroplasties.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (European) · Jul 22 2026 · PubMed

    Moovis press-fit trapeziometacarpal arthroplasties achieve stable cup fixation, high patient satisfaction, and 98% nine-year implant survival, favoring their use in thumb arthritis.

  8. Proximal origin transligamentous recurrent motor branch of the median nerve: implications for surgical safety.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (European) · Jul 22 2026 · PubMed

    Anomalous median nerve motor branch with proximal origin traversing transverse carpal ligament creates additional danger zone; recommend ulnar-to-distal ligament division during carpal tunnel release.

  9. Risk factors for nail dystrophy following distal phalangeal fractures of the hand.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (European) · Jul 22 2026 · PubMed

    Nail bed injury and nonunion are independent predictors of post-traumatic nail dystrophy after distal phalanx fractures; nail bed repair and fracture healing are critical management factors.

  10. Biomechanical Cadaveric Study of a Method for Foveal Reinsertion of the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Without Foveal Perforation.

    HAND · Jul 21 2026 · PubMed

    A cadaveric study shows a modified foveal TFCC reinsertion technique that avoids bone tunnels restores DRUJ stability comparably to the intact ligament.

  11. Why it's better to believe in a larger definition of the diametaphyseal junction zone in pediatric distal radius fractures.

    Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery · Jul 20 2026 · PubMed

    Diametaphyseal distal radius fractures in children exhibit characteristic biomechanical instability with ESIN that responds better to transepiphyseal intramedullary nailing fixation.

  12. Regional versus general anesthesia in volar plate fixation of distal radius fractures: An AO/OTA-stratified matched-pair analysis of radiographic reduction quality.

    Injury · Jul 18 2026 · PubMed

    Matched-pair analysis finds regional anesthesia is associated with more residual dorsal malreduction than general anesthesia specifically in complex AO/OTA type C distal radius fractures treated with volar plating.

  13. Residual instability of the radiocapitellar joint after treatment of acute pediatric Monteggia fractures: A single-center experience.

    Injury · Jul 17 2026 · PubMed

    In pediatric Monteggia fractures, initial ulnar angulation >32.43° predicts conservative treatment failure and residual radiocapitellar instability, particularly in Bado type III fractures.

  14. Assessing Correlations Between PROMIS-25 and QuickDASH in Pediatric Patients With Upper Extremity Trauma.

    Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics · Jul 14 2026 · PubMed

    PROMIS-25 correlates strongly with QuickDASH in pediatric upper extremity trauma, particularly for physical function; instruments show complementary ceiling and floor effects.

  15. A multimodal imaging approach to predict carpal tunnel syndrome after distal radius fractures.

    Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery · Jul 13 2026 · PubMed

    Carpal tunnel cross-sectional area combined with volar tilt predicts carpal tunnel syndrome development after distal radius fractures better than either parameter alone.

  16. Carpal tunnel release during distal radius fracture fixation is not associated with reduced subsequent carpal tunnel release: A propensity-matched cohort study.

    Injury · Jul 08 2026 · PubMed

    A large propensity-matched study found concomitant carpal tunnel release during distal radius fixation did not reduce subsequent CTR rates and was associated with higher revision/malunion surgery rates.

  17. A Comparative Study of Short-Term Outcomes Between INTEGRA and AVANTA Silicone Implants for Metacarpophalangeal Joints in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (American) · May 25 2026 · PubMed

    INTEGRA silicone metacarpophalangeal implants demonstrated superior grip strength, function, and zero fracture rate compared to AVANTA implants in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Recent reviews

  1. Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid Joint Osteoarthritis: Differentiating SOAC Wrist From SLAC Wrist.

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

    Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid osteoarthritis progresses through distinct mechanisms from scapholunate dissociation, requiring recognition of midcarpal instability for optimal surgical planning.

  2. Current Concepts: Lesser Digit Carpometacarpal Joint Fracture-Dislocations.

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

    Lesser digit carpometacarpal fracture-dislocations are frequently missed; early recognition enables conservative treatment, but surgical fixation is often necessary for optimal outcomes.

  3. Current Concepts in Perioperative Guidance and Outcomes in Hand Surgery Patients Taking Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists.

    Journal of Hand Surgery (American) · Jul 03 2026 · PubMed

    GLP-1 receptor agonists pose perioperative concerns but show no increased postoperative complications in hand surgery, with potential metabolic benefits requiring individualized management.

  4. Acute Compartment Syndrome of the Upper Extremity.

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

    Review article covers diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of acute upper extremity compartment syndrome, emphasizing prompt fasciotomy and addressing delayed presentation controversies.

  5. Salvaging the Post-Traumatic Elbow and How to Succeed with a Difficult Problem; Osteocapsular Arthroplasty, Distraction and Interposition or Total Elbow Arthroplasty.

    Hand Clinics · Nov 2025 · PubMed

    Post-traumatic elbow arthropathy management ranges from joint-preserving techniques in early disease to arthroplasty or joint sacrifice in advanced cases; careful patient selection is essential.

  6. Current Evidence in the Management of Ballistic Peripheral Nerve Injuries.

    Hand Clinics · Aug 2025 · PubMed

    Ballistic nerve injuries require individualized management based on nerve continuity; normal-appearing nerves should be treated expectantly rather than routinely repaired.

  7. My Best and My Worst Operations in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

    Hand Clinics · Feb 2025 · PubMed

    Rheumatoid hand surgery outcomes vary; review shares technical insights on effective procedures and those with less predictable results based on surgical experience.

  8. Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Primer for Hand and Peripheral Nerve Surgeons.

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

    Primer reviews neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome pathophysiology, diagnosis, and stepwise treatment from hand therapy and injections to surgery for hand and peripheral nerve surgeons.

  9. The Role of Exosomes in Upper-Extremity Tissue Regeneration.

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

    This review introduces exosomes as cell-free vesicles with regenerative potential and discusses their promise and current limitations for upper-extremity tissue regeneration.

  10. Advances in Soft Tissue Injuries Associated with Open Fractures.

    Hand Clinics · Nov 2023 · PubMed

    Successful upper extremity fracture treatment requires integrated soft tissue management using negative pressure wound therapy, dermal templates, and appropriate tissue transfer options.

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