Aug 17–23, 2026 · 23 new studies, 10 reviews · Hand & Upper Extremity archive · All weeks
The new Hand & Upper Extremity research The Reduction sent the week of Aug 17–23, 2026, with the week’s most recent reviews, each with a one-line summary.
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In a large multicenter database, EPL rupture after distal radius fracture was rare overall (0.1% nonoperative vs 0.36% operative), with surgical treatment nearly tripling the risk, informing patient counseling and vigilance.
A novel FDS tendon-sling technique for chronic PIP volar plate reconstruction yielded excellent or good results in 11 of 12 patients at a mean 7-year follow-up, with no recurrences.
A novel subchondral shelf plating technique for impacted radial head fractures achieved excellent radiographic healing and functional outcomes in 13 patients, offering an alternative when impaction lies outside standard plating zones.
A dedicated axial fluoroscopic view for scaphoid screw placement correlated only modestly with CT and underestimated deviation, so it can flag eccentric trajectory intraoperatively but shouldn't be treated as a CT substitute.
Incidental finding of a reversed variant (type V) palmaris profundus during forearm surgery.
Case report describes an incidentally discovered reversed (type V) palmaris profundus variant during forearm surgery, noting it may carry distinct clinical implications versus common variants.
In cadavers, dorsal radiocarpal arthrotomy visualized more distal radius articular surface than volar (77.3% vs 63.7%), though volar approach better exposed the volar rim—useful for planning exposure based on fracture pattern.
Nerve Transfers to Rebalance the Spastic Wrist: An Anatomical Feasibility Study.
Cadaveric study shows FCU-to-ECRB nerve transfer is anatomically feasible in 90% of specimens, offering a potential surgical option to correct spastic wrist flexion deformities.
This study introduces the articular dislocation angle (ADA) to quantify first MTP joint subluxation in hallux valgus, showing it contributes increasingly to deformity severity and refining the HVA = DMAA + DASA + ADA relationship to guide surgical planning.
Radiographic Scaphoid Waist Index and Nonunion After Scaphocapitate Fusion for Kienböck Disease.
In a small retrospective cohort, lower scaphoid waist index trended toward higher nonunion risk after scaphocapitate fusion for Kienböck disease, but findings were imprecise and hypothesis-generating only.
AI Clinical Decision Making Compared with Fellowship-Trained Hand Surgeons: A Case-Based Study.
Comparing four AI platforms to fellowship-trained hand surgeons on clinical vignettes, all matched surgeon consensus on easy cases, but only Claude and Gemini remained reasonably concordant (60%) on complex cases versus ChatGPT-4 and Open Evidence (20%).
Survey of ASSH hand surgeons found treatment preferences for geriatric distal radius fractures often favor surgery despite AAOS guidelines recommending nonsurgical care, revealing a practice-guideline gap.
Meta-analysis of 16 studies finds arthroscopic capsulodesis significantly improves outcomes with low complications for higher-grade scapholunate ligament injuries.
Short-Term Outcomes of Retrograde Intramedullary Screw Fixation of Distal Ulna Fractures.
Retrograde intramedullary screw fixation of distal ulna fractures achieved comparable union and motion to plating, with faster surgery and mobilization and a trend toward fewer complications.
3D CT analysis of 20 healthy hands found only minor bilateral metacarpal asymmetries (notably in pronation/supination), suggesting contralateral bone is generally a reliable template for surgical planning.
Radiographic Risk Factors for Flexor Tendon Ruptures Following Distal Radius Volar Plating.
Excessive lateral carpal alignment (CARD >4.9mm) was the strongest predictor of flexor tendon rupture after volar plating, so correcting carpal alignment intraoperatively may reduce this risk when the plate is prominent.
The PINOT RCT found a self-management exercise regimen is noninferior to supervised hand therapy for PIP joint volar plate avulsion injuries, supporting reduced reliance on therapist-led care.
In this retrospective study of elderly distal radius fractures, dorsal bridge plating produced radiographic outcomes comparable to volar locking plating, supporting it as a viable fixation option in select older patients.
Screening for amyloidosis in trigger finger release and Dupuytren's fasciectomy.
Screening surgical specimens found amyloid deposits in 5% of trigger finger releases (mostly transthyretin type) but none confirmed in Dupuytren fasciectomy tissue, suggesting trigger finger release may aid early amyloidosis detection while fasciectomy tissue does not.
In a cadaveric study, carpal tunnel release via the flexor carpi radialis approach reduced carpal canal pressure as effectively as the standard palmar incision, offering a potential combined-incision option during distal radius fixation.
Characteristics of Patients Undergoing Revision Thumb CMC Arthroplasty.
A retrospective review found 95% of patients undergoing revision thumb CMC arthroplasty had a change in surgical technique, with trapezoid excision performed twice as often at revision, highlighting adjacent joint issues in failed arthroplasties.
Iatrogenic Nerve Injuries Affecting Upper Limb Function: Medicolegal Implications.
Review of 20 years of European malpractice litigation found most iatrogenic upper-limb nerve injury claims (mainly brachial plexus) favored plaintiffs, highlighting key liability risks for surgeons.
Cadaveric dissection in 30 Vietnamese wrists showed consistent ulnar nerve bifurcation proximal to Guyon's canal with the motor branch always ulnar to the sensory branch, aiding surgical landmark planning.
In a multicenter study of 119 thumb CMC arthroplasties, 83% of patients were satisfied and most had rapid pain resolution, but anesthesia-related discomfort was a key dissatisfaction driver worth addressing in perioperative pathways.
Thumb Fractures and Associated Injuries: An Evidence Based Review to Guide Treatment.
Evidence-based review of thumb fractures and associated ligament injuries outlines current treatment and fixation strategies, distinguishing extra-articular from intra-articular injuries like Bennett and Rolando fractures.
Occupational Therapist Perspectives in Upper Limb Prosthetic Rehabilitation.
This article reviews the occupational therapist's role across phases of upper limb prosthetic rehabilitation, highlighting patient-centered, interprofessional approaches to optimize functional outcomes.
Avoiding a Vanilla Transhumeral Amputation.
This article addresses surgical strategies to optimize transhumeral amputation technique to improve residual limb function and prosthetic outcomes rather than performing a suboptimal "standard" amputation.
Diagnosis, Pathology, and Management of Pain in the Ischemic Hand: A Comprehensive Review.
This review covers upper extremity vascular anatomy, pain pathophysiology, diagnostic workup, and current medical/surgical options for managing chronic limb-threatening ischemic hand pain.
Management of Pyogenic Flexor Tenosynovitis.
This review outlines diagnosis and management of pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis, emphasizing early antibiotic treatment can avoid surgery and that stiffness is the main long-term complication.
Tutorial demonstrates tree-based reinforcement learning methods, applied to rheumatoid arthritis arthroplasty data, as tools for personalizing dynamic hand treatment decisions.
Extensor tendon repairs: consensus, current guidelines and recommendations.
An international expert panel proposes simplifying extensor tendon zone classification to mirror flexor tendon systems, standardizing surgical repair and rehabilitation approaches across zones.
Identification of degenerative precursors at the wrist with advanced imaging: current updates.
This review outlines MRI and arthrography findings—ligament tears, chondromalacia, and bone marrow edema—that can identify early wrist degeneration before osteoarthritis develops, aiding patient counseling.
Fingertip Injuries: A Review and Update on Management.
This review updates management strategies for fingertip injuries, emphasizing soft-tissue coverage, nail bed repair, and selective operative treatment to optimize function and appearance.
New Technologies in the Treatment of Base of Thumb Osteoarthritis.
This review surveys emerging technologies for thumb CMC osteoarthritis—including 3D-printed braces, ultrasound-guided fat injections, new implant arthroplasty designs, and patient-specific instrumentation—noting none yet proven superior to standard care.
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