Aug 31 – Sep 6, 2026 · 24 new studies, 10 reviews · Hand & Upper Extremity archive · All weeks
The new Hand & Upper Extremity research The Reduction sent the week of Aug 31 – Sep 6, 2026, with the week’s most recent reviews, each with a one-line summary.
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Cadaveric biomechanical study found bi/tricortical lag screws and wire cerclage provide stronger, more stable fixation of humeral allograft struts than suture-tape cerclage.
Biomechanical comparison of suture materials across a bone tunnel edge.
In a cadaveric bone-tunnel model, LabralTape and FiberTape resisted elongation and edge failure better than Ethibond, Mersilene, or SutureTape, informing suture/tape choice for ligament reconstruction constructs.
In children with spastic cerebral palsy, greater severity of forearm/wrist/finger deformity correlated with reduced biceps and flexor muscle bulk and altered extensor pennation angle, supporting ultrasound-guided assessment to tailor upper limb interventions.
In cadaver testing, dual-plate fibular allograft reconstruction of metacarpal lytic lesions matched standard fracture plating in load to failure, suggesting it may support early weightbearing.
In diabetic patients with trigger finger, GLP-1 receptor agonist use was linked to a small but significant reduction in progression to A1 pulley release surgery at 12 and 24 months after steroid injection.
Analysis of 363 Division I pitchers found that proximodistal segmental momentum sequencing timing predicts ball velocity and shoulder/elbow loading differently across arm slots, suggesting timing-focused training could reduce throwing injury risk.
Retrospective review of 66 web commissures after simple syndactyly release found no significant difference in web creep reoperation rates between skin graft-sparing local flaps and full-thickness skin grafts (~32% overall).
Factors Affecting Clinic Visit No-Shows at an Academic Medical Center in the American Southwest.
At a Southwestern academic hand clinic, no-show risk factors included younger age, male sex, Black race, return visits, high social deprivation, and self-pay/Medicaid insurance, mirroring patterns seen in prior Northeast studies.
Hand surgeons consistently overestimated how quickly patients recover pain and function after open carpal tunnel release, especially underestimating pain interference and reduced upper-extremity function at 3 months.
Clinical Outcomes and Complications of Intramedullary Proximal Phalanx Fixation.
Retrospective series found intramedullary headless screw fixation of proximal phalanx fractures achieved reliable union but a notable rate of postoperative stiffness, underscoring need for structured therapy.
Reducing the carbon footprint of hand trauma surgery under local anaesthetic.
Using smaller drapes and streamlined instrument trays for minor hand trauma surgery cut carbon emissions and costs by up to 71% and 40% without increasing infection rates.
4D CT imaging in 6 patients showed that Wilson osteotomy with Brunelli ligamentoplasty for thumb CMC osteoarthritis increased rather than reduced palmar joint contact, suggesting a stabilizing rather than unloading effect.
In this pilot study, the new function-based ESIC Hand Injury Severity Score correlated significantly with the traditional HISS overall, though not for amputation or isolated skin injuries.
Medial and Lateral Ligament Bracing in Severe Elbow Instability After Acute Elbow Dislocation.
Combined medial/lateral ligament repair with bracing restored stability and gave good functional outcomes in severe elbow instability, though stiffness caused 15% revision rate.
CT-based surface mapping identified the hallux proximal phalanx, fibular head, and radial head as geometrically matched osteochondral autograft donor sites for reconstructing distal humerus and proximal ulna articular defects in young patients.
In a cadaveric study, 6-mm nerve conduits with anchor sutures 3 mm from the coaptation site best offloaded strain at the repair, suggesting shorter conduits may inadequately protect nerve repairs.
A newly developed weighted screening tool using symptoms like arrhythmia and fatigue can help identify carpal tunnel syndrome patients at high risk for underlying cardiac amyloidosis who may warrant biopsy.
Outcome of Radial Nerve Palsy in Closed Humeral Shaft Fractures Treated Operatively and Expectantly.
In closed humeral shaft fractures with radial nerve palsy, nerve recovery timing was similar whether treated operatively or expectantly, so palsy alone shouldn't drive surgical decision-making.
In syndactyly reconstruction, a dorsal island flap avoiding skin grafting significantly reduced web creep (0% vs 36.4%) with no flap complications, favoring a skin-sparing approach.
In over 33,000 matched patients, regional nerve blocks for thumb CMC arthroplasty raised costs without reducing early ED visits or opioid prescriptions, questioning their routine use.
Does Secondary Ischemia Time After Failed Digit Replantation Predict Survival?
Among 59 digits reoperated for arterial thrombosis after replantation, secondary ischemia time did not predict survival, suggesting digits may tolerate longer delays before salvage than previously thought.
A network meta-analysis of 962 patients suggests arthroscopic reduction of perilunate/lunate dislocations may yield better function and fewer complications than open reduction, especially with experienced surgeons, though evidence quality is low.
A life-cycle analysis found WALANT reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 81% compared to general anesthesia for pediatric trigger thumb release, supporting its use as a sustainable surgical option.
This retrospective FQHC study found most hemodynamically stable penetrating upper-extremity trauma patients were safely managed nonoperatively, supporting selective rather than routine surgical exploration.
Madelung Deformity: A Current Concepts Review.
This review outlines Madelung deformity's genetic associations, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options—from physiolysis in children to corrective osteotomies in adults—while noting a need for standardized outcome reporting.
The Role of Hand Allotransplantion when Bionic Reconstruction is Possible.
Reviews when hand transplantation versus bionic prosthetics is preferable for upper extremity reconstruction, weighing functional, psychosocial, economic, and ethical factors.
This scoping review of WRIST trial data finds no single best treatment for elderly distal radius fractures, supporting shared decision-making based on patient goals and lifestyle.
Achieving balance in tendon repair.
Reviews how balancing mechanical strength, tendon gliding, venting, and rehabilitation protocols optimizes outcomes in flexor and extensor tendon repair.
This narrative review explores how hand therapists balance mobilization and immobilization after hand surgery or injury to optimize healing and function through individualized, collaborative rehabilitation decisions.
Trapeziometacarpal joint arthroplasty: avoiding imbalance and optimizing outcomes.
This review explains how thumb CMC osteoarthritis progression causes the classic Z-deformity and shows that modern dual-mobility trapeziometacarpal arthroplasty reliably restores balance and stability with durable outcomes.
Achieving balance in upper limb spasticity management.
This review outlines a multidisciplinary framework for upper limb spasticity surgery, weighing tone-reducing versus reanimation procedures and key trade-offs like mobility versus stability.
This systematic review of 51 studies (14,735 patients) found zero cases of digital ischemia or necrosis with epinephrine use in hand surgery, reinforcing the safety of WALANT technique.
Carpometacarpal Joint Dislocations and Fracture Dislocations of the Index Through Small Digits.
This review covers the anatomy, mechanism, classification, evaluation, and treatment options for carpometacarpal joint dislocations and fracture-dislocations of the index through small fingers, including the authors' preferred approach.
Round table discussion. Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.
Expert panel discussion highlights ongoing controversy and lack of consensus on diagnostic criteria and surgical technique for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.
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