Sep 21–27, 2026 · 23 new studies, 10 reviews · Hand & Upper Extremity archive · All weeks
The new Hand & Upper Extremity research The Reduction sent the week of Sep 21–27, 2026, with the week’s most recent reviews, each with a one-line summary.
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In a small retrospective study, reamed percutaneous DIPJ arthrodesis achieved 100% union with faster healing, fewer complications, and less pain than a non-reamed technique.
A case report describes meniscus allograft interposition with bioabsorbable intramedullary pin fixation improving motion and function in a severely contracted PIP joint at 1-year follow-up.
In this retrospective cohort of 56 isolated distal ulna shaft fractures, operative and nonoperative treatment had similar union rates and complications, suggesting both are reasonable options in selected patients.
A combined CNN and random forest AI model predicted hand surgeons' operative versus nonoperative recommendations for distal radius fractures with 87% accuracy using pre-reduction radiographs and clinical data, showing feasibility for point-of-care decision support.
In nonagenarians undergoing distal radius fracture surgery, radiographic alignment was well maintained with acceptable complications (15%), though correlation between radiographic parameters and functional outcome was weak, supporting surgery as a safe option in selected elderly patients.
Shifting soft tissue hand procedures from the OR to the procedure room substantially increases surgeon reimbursement and could save payers over $20 million per 1000 cases annually over 10 years.
In thumb CMC osteoarthritis, orthotic use improved pain and function at 3 months, but longer daily wear time was not independently associated with greater pain reduction.
Electrocauterization of cyst remnants after ganglion excision showed a nonsignificant trend toward lower recurrence, with the best results seen when combined with tissue window excision, especially for dorsal cysts.
Reverse shoulder arthroplasty improves functional hand-behind-back task performance by 6 months mainly through increased trunk/lumbar compensation and altered muscle activation, despite persistent internal rotation deficits.
Interviews with UK upper-limb surgeons reveal shared heuristics—especially bone quality and implant modularity—guiding radial head arthroplasty implant and fixation choices amid limited trial evidence.
In high school baseball players, medial elbow gapping under valgus stress (not epicondyle morphology or resting gap) was significantly associated with elbow pain within the past year, suggesting it reflects a dynamic rather than structural risk factor.
Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Distal Phalanx: A Case Report.
A rare aneurysmal bone cyst of the distal phalanx was successfully treated with phalanx-preserving excision and curettage, achieving full range of motion and no recurrence at 4 years, supporting conservative management over amputation.
In a trial of 28 emergency residents, targeted education—not contralateral elbow radiographs—significantly improved diagnostic accuracy for pediatric elbow fractures.
Measuring What Matters: Patient Perspectives on Success and Recovery After Nerve Injury.
Qualitative interviews reveal patients define post-nerve-injury recovery success through role participation and adaptation, often diverging from clinician-based outcome measures.
A decision-analytic model shows that whether adopting a new surgical technique (e.g., direct anterior hip approach) helps or harms patients depends heavily on the individual surgeon's case volume and learning curve, not just published outcomes.
An analysis of ASSH leadership from 2013–2024 found increasing but still limited women's representation, concentrated among a small number of recurring leaders rather than broadly diversified.
The Effect of Corticosteroid Type on Failure Following Primary Trigger Finger Injection.
Betamethasone injections for primary trigger finger had significantly higher failure rates and faster time to failure than triamcinolone, favoring triamcinolone as the preferred steroid choice.
Finite element modeling suggests that reduced radial inclination (with normal volar tilt) lowers simulated ulnar head-carpal contact forces in ulnar abutment, though clinical symptom correlation remains unproven.
Shear wave elastography ratios measured 2 weeks after flexor tendon repair predicted 12-week functional recovery, suggesting a role for imaging-guided, personalized rehab protocols.
Delayed Distal Radioulnar Joint Dysfunction after Pediatric Forearm Fractures: A Systematic Review.
Systematic review finds delayed DRUJ dysfunction can follow pediatric forearm fractures, often with malunion, improving after corrective osteotomy, highlighting need for long-term wrist follow-up.
CT-based measurements in uninjured forearms establish a normal rotational profile of the radius and ulna to aid preoperative planning for malunion/nonunion correction.
A cadaveric study shows percutaneous PIP joint arthrodesis using two mini-incisions can reliably achieve joint fusion while preserving the soft tissue envelope, suggesting a viable minimally invasive alternative to open technique.
In a community hospital cohort, 9.5% of carpal tunnel release patients screened positive for amyloidosis, supporting risk-based intraoperative biopsy criteria even outside academic centers.
This review outlines complex distal radius fracture patterns where volar locking plates alone are insufficient and describes alternative fixation strategies like dorsal plating and fragment-specific constructs.
This narrative review proposes that developmental anatomical anomalies of the neonatal brachial plexus create a 'neurologic vulnerability' predisposing certain infants to Erb's palsy during delivery, suggesting decompression may complement nerve grafting.
Restoring rotational balance of the paediatric forearm: lessons from post-traumatic malunion.
This review argues that treating pediatric forearm malunion should focus on restoring overall rotational balance—accounting for soft tissue and remodeling—rather than relying solely on radiographic deformity correction.
Balancing metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis.
This narrative review confirms flexible silicone MCP arthroplasty remains the most reliable option in rheumatoid hands, with outcomes depending more on soft-tissue balancing than implant design.
Arthroscopic-Assisted Scaphoid Nonunion Repair.
Describes a reproducible arthroscopic-assisted scaphoid nonunion technique using percutaneous distal radius bone grafting and headless screw fixation, offering union rates comparable to open surgery with less morbidity.
Scoping review finds peripheral nerve stimulation reduced neuropathic pain in nearly 90% of studied brachial plexus injury patients, though evidence remains limited and further research is needed to optimize its use.
Advancements and Clinical Applications of Machine Learning for Hand Pose Estimation.
Reviews how machine learning-based hand pose estimation (vision- and sensor-based) could aid clinical kinematic assessment, though data and computational limitations still hinder adoption.
Long-term follow-up (30+ years) confirms the vascularized rib-cartilage-serratus Eve flap durably preserves metacarpal bone and joint space with high patient satisfaction, though it doesn't restore true joint motion.
Reconstructive and salvage techniques for proximal interphalangeal joint fracture dislocations.
This review outlines reconstructive (osteochondral graft-based) and salvage surgical options for proximal interphalangeal joint fracture dislocations and proposes an algorithm to guide surgeons in choosing between them.
Machine Learning for Hand Surgeons: Emerging Clinical Applications.
This review surveys emerging machine learning applications in hand surgery—from outcome prediction to scheduling—while flagging bias, transparency, and generalizability challenges.
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