Oct 5–11, 2026 · 2 randomized trials, 29 new studies, 10 reviews · Hand & Upper Extremity archive · All weeks
The new Hand & Upper Extremity research The Reduction sent the week of Oct 5–11, 2026, with the week’s most recent reviews, each with a one-line summary.
Get papers like these by email, free: subscribe to The Reduction, focused on your interests, on the days you pick.
In a randomized triple-blind trial of 90 children, IV dexamethasone with a supraclavicular block extended opioid-free analgesia (median 8.9 h placebo vs 17.3 h at 0.2 mg/kg) but delayed finger movement.
In this randomized trial of 52 elderly patients with 3- and 4-part proximal humerus fractures, nonoperative care had better 12-month DASH and Constant scores than locked plating, with similarly low complication rates.
Tuberculosis of Distal Ulna: A Case Report.
This case report describes a rare isolated tuberculosis lesion of the distal ulna in a 23-year-old, initially suspected to be osteoid osteoma and diagnosed only after curettage and histopathology.
In 26 patients, arthroscopic partial wrist arthrodesis relieved pain with good outcomes for scaphocapitate and four-corner fusions, but lunatocapitate fusion had low union (43%), 57% reoperation, and worse function.
3D-Printed Guide for Thumb Carpometacarpal Prosthesis in Low Bone Stock.
Case report of a patient-specific 3D-printed guide used to position a thumb CMC prosthesis in a 77-year-old with a severely collapsed trapezium, achieving accurate alignment without lucency at 12 weeks.
Isolated Volar Scapholunate Ligament Tear Treated with Palmaris Longus Tenodesis.
Case report of a 23-year-old with isolated volar scapholunate ligament rupture treated with palmaris longus tenodesis, achieving good function and pain relief without limitations at 32 months.
Simultaneous Galeazzi Fracture and Lunate Dislocation.
Case report of a Galeazzi fracture-dislocation with a simultaneous volar lunate dislocation after a motorcycle crash, treated surgically with excellent recovery; authors propose a double-hit injury mechanism.
In a database study of 1,228 scapholunate repairs or reconstructions, 9.0% had a secondary procedure and 4.4% needed salvage surgery, indicating a relatively low revision rate.
In 167 scaphoid nonunions fixed with a headless compression screw and autograft, 75.5% united, with no significant risk factors for failure identified and a nonsignificant trend toward better union in women.
Trans-articular Bridge Plating for Gunshot-related Periarticular Hand Fractures.
In a 14-patient series of gunshot-related MCP and PIP periarticular fractures, dorsal trans-articular bridge plating achieved union in 91% of those with data and improved pain, though stiffness occurred in all.
Outcomes and Complications of Elbow Arthrodesis.
In 13 elbows at 7 years, arthrodesis gave reasonable pain relief and satisfaction but poor function, with a 46% nonunion or fracture complication rate; reserve it as a salvage option.
In cadaver elbows, sequential distal UCL release increased both valgus and internal rotation instability, with internal rotation increasing more, which may explain the poorer prognosis of distal tears.
Does Body Mass Index Influence Time to Surgery After Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
In a large registry cohort of carpal tunnel patients, higher BMI was associated with longer waits from diagnosis to release, with BMI 45-49.9 delayed roughly 3-5 weeks versus normal BMI.
ASSH hand surgery patient education materials and AI-generated versions exceeded the recommended sixth-grade reading level, but AI tools could produce or rewrite materials at that level, though accuracy still needs verification.
In a matched claims cohort, documented social determinants of health roughly doubled 2-year infection odds and raised stiffness and non-home discharge after total elbow arthroplasty, without raising revision risk.
In older adults with distal radius fractures, ORIF was linked to lower 1-year rates of major depression, SSRI use, and opioid dependence than nonoperative closed reduction in this matched database study.
In 10 patients with severe forearm trauma or amputations from industrial machinery, the pull-in suture for musculotendinous avulsions gave fair hand function (DASH 28.7), a viable option when other primary repairs aren't feasible.
In NSQIP data from 2010-2023, MCP arthroplasty had low 30-day complication rates in both RA and OA patients; OA cases and outpatient surgery are rising while RA volume is flat.
In 450 pediatric supracondylar fractures, only 16% waited beyond 18 hours for surgery; evening ED arrival and high Gartland severity predicted delay, questioning the arbitrary 18-hour quality metric.
In this randomized trial, leukocyte-rich and leukocyte-poor PRP for lateral epicondylitis both improved wrist extensor strength at 12 months, but neither beat saline by a clinically meaningful margin.
In a prospective study of 125 patients, endoscopic carpal tunnel release gave greater early functional improvement and earlier return to recreational activity than open release, especially for high hand-demand work and recreation.
Failure Patterns Leading to Revision After Distal Humerus Fracture Fixation: A Multicenter Study.
In 411 revisions after distal humerus fracture fixation, failures were mechanical (43%), functional (41%), or infectious (16%), with open fractures strongly predicting infection and infections presenting earliest.
In a matched cohort of upper extremity mixed and motor nerve transections, processed allograft gave motor recovery as good as autograft (\u2265M3 in 80% vs 64%), avoiding donor site harvest.
Case report of a 14-year-old with Blauth IIIc thumb hypoplasia whose first metacarpal was reconstructed with a medial femoral condyle free flap, preserving a five-digit hand with stable post, healing, and minimal donor morbidity.
Two cases of delayed structural failure, 7 and 9 years after medial femoral condyle flap distal radius reconstruction, show that radiographic union may not predict long-term durability under rigid spanning fixation.
In a national inpatient sample, digital replantation after complete thumb or finger amputation was more likely with higher ZIP-income quartile, transfer-in, and thumb involvement, while age showed no independent association.
A simple drape-based enclosure technique to reduce accidental hemi-hamate graft drop.
Authors describe a simple, inexpensive drape-based enclosure technique to prevent accidental hemi-hamate graft drops, used in several hundred cases without a drop, though effectiveness is unproven in this uncontrolled experience.
Case of a rare scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal fracture-dislocation with delayed diagnosis and early redislocation after outside fixation, ultimately stabilized with radial and ulnar buried K-wires and an excellent result at 21 weeks.
This single-patient technical report describes combining radial derotational osteotomy with biceps rerouting using a cortical button for fixed supination deformity from birth brachial plexus palsy, with improved pronation and no complications at 12 months.
Low early post-operative pain is a strong predictor of favorable outcomes after rotator cuff repair.
In 178 rotator cuff repairs, low pain at one month (predicted by no subscapularis tear, no preoperative analgesics, lower baseline pain) marked a better functional course through one year, without differences in complications or revisions.
Persistent Infected Nonunion of the Proximal Ulna after a Free Vascularized Fibular Graft.
Case report of a proximal ulna infected nonunion that failed to heal after a free vascularized fibular graft, emphasizing a stepwise approach to septic, biological, and mechanical factors.
Talk Through the Hand: Upper-Extremity Injury and Surgical Considerations in Sign Language Users.
This article reviews upper-extremity injury considerations for sign language users, emphasizing that hand surgeons should choose treatments that preserve mobility needed for communication in this population.
Beyond the Algorithm: A Stewardship Framework for the Hand Surgeon Adopting Artificial Intelligence.
Proposes a four-part stewardship framework for hand surgeons adopting AI tools: external validation, transparent disclosure of use and failure modes, escalation paths when model and surgeon disagree, and post-deployment audit.
The management of distal humeral fractures in older patients.
Review of managing distal humeral fractures in older patients, comparing nonoperative care, ORIF, and elbow hemi- or total arthroplasty; short-term outcomes appear similar, but evidence is limited and largely retrospective.
Reviews wrist hemiarthroplasty, a partial radiocarpal replacement that may spare younger, active patients the complications and lifelong restrictions of total wrist arthroplasty, covering surgical options, indications, and outcomes.
Management of infected flexor tendon injuries: A narrative review.
This narrative review outlines management of infected flexor tendon injuries: empiric antibiotics for contaminated wounds, urgent surgery for pyogenic tenosynovitis, and delayed repair or staged reconstruction once infection resolves.
Hand surgery perspective on the index finger, reviewing spare parts surgery, in which a damaged index finger supplies tissue to reconstruct other injured digits, especially the thumb, with illustrative examples.
Distal Radius Fractures: Classifications and Contemporary Treatment.
This review traces the strengths and limitations of historical distal radius fracture classification systems and argues that a contemporary system reflecting current knowledge of fracture patterns, instability, and treatment is needed.
Review of current osteoporosis and osteopenia screening methods, arguing hand surgeons regularly see these patients and should help identify and treat low bone density to prevent fragility fractures.
BEST guideline for acute thumb UCL injuries: assess with history, exam, and radiographs; treat nonoperatively if no significant laxity; with significant laxity, choose immobilization versus repair by shared decision within 2 weeks.
Review of Outcomes After Peripheral Nerve Transfers for Motor Nerve Injury in the Upper Extremity.
This systematic review of 48 articles finds nerve transfers for ulnar, median, radial, and musculocutaneous injuries yield positive functional outcomes, making them a useful option for restoring hand and forearm function.
← Week of Sep 28 – Oct 4, 2026
Home · All weeks · Archive · Subscribe · FAQ
© 2026 The Reduction