Oct 12–18, 2026 · 1 randomized trial, 22 new studies, 10 reviews · Hand & Upper Extremity archive · All weeks
The new Hand & Upper Extremity research The Reduction sent the week of Oct 12–18, 2026, with the week’s most recent reviews, each with a one-line summary.
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In a randomized comparison of 33 upper brachial plexus injury patients, median and ulnar fascicle transfers to the biceps branch gave similar elbow flexion recovery (87% vs 78%), making the median nerve a viable donor.
In 30 patients with unstable distal ulna fractures, hook locking plate fixation achieved union in all, with 90% good-to-excellent wrist scores, 10% delayed union, and no nonunions.
Early PROMIS Outcomes After Cubital Tunnel Release With and Without Anterior Transposition.
In 210 cubital tunnel release patients, ulnar nerve transposition showed slower early PROMIS recovery at 2 weeks than in situ decompression, but outcomes converged by 6 weeks with low complication rates.
In 73 children with residual brachial plexus birth injury, FDS tendon transfer restored power-grip wrist extension (M4) in 89%, with better results in interosseous-routed transfers and stronger preoperative extension.
In 22 children with persistent nerve palsy after supracondylar fracture, ultrasound detected abnormality in 95% but matched operative findings variably, so it should supplement, not replace, clinical judgment in deciding on exploration.
In a case-control study of volar plate fixation for distal radius fractures, intraarticular gap predicted failure and accurate intraoperative reduction mattered more than injury severity, though prediction models had low sensitivity.
Seven intraoperative fluoroscopic parameters, particularly SL angle and delta angles, reliably and accurately diagnosed and staged scapholunate instability during distal radius fracture fixation, using arthroscopy as the reference standard.
Hand Geometry in Forensic Application: Estimating Hand Length Derived from Phalangeal Lengths.
In 100 Bengali students, phalangeal lengths predicted hand length and differed significantly by sex, supporting hand geometry for forensic sex and identity estimation from partial remains, though population-specific data are needed.
Machine learning models built on 188 upper extremity sarcoma patients predicted recurrence and survival about as well as Sarculator and PERSARC, and better than MSKCC for local recurrence, but need external validation.
In 40 PIP and 13 DIP silicone arthroplasties via a radial-sided approach with collateral repair, pain and motion improved and most joints stayed within 10 degrees of neutral, though residual ulnar deviation persisted.
In a large Ontario cohort of radial head fractures, arthroplasty had a lower reoperation rate than ORIF (10-year cumulative incidence 10.4% vs 15.8%), and overnight ORIF in patients under 40 carried higher reoperation odds.
In six stage IV Dupuytren cords, progressive external-fixator distraction before fasciectomy produced a more cellular, organized collagen architecture than fasciectomy alone, suggesting remodeling beyond contracture correction.
In 60 Gartland III supracondylar fractures, closed reduction and pinning beat open approaches for operative time, union, and cosmesis; among open approaches, anterior did best and posterior worst.
Two open dorsal PIP dislocations were blocked from reduction by entrapment of the proximal phalangeal head by the FDS tendon; if reduction fails after restoring the FDP, look directly for FDS entrapment.
Across 3,473 shoulder studies from 2015-2025, PROMIS use rose to only 5.5% and was usually paired with legacy scores, showing limited adoption as a primary outcome measure.
In a small North American survey of hand surgeons, only 12% had access to dedicated trauma ORs, yet respondents with and without access reported or expected benefits for efficiency, outcomes, and wellness.
A modified radiographic classification for postaxial foot polydactyly, tested on 121 digits, classified nearly all cases and showed excellent reliability, outperforming the Watanabe and Lee systems.
At 4.5 years, nonoperatively treated spiral or oblique metacarpal shaft fractures were about 3 mm shorter than operatively treated ones, though extension deficit, cosmesis, and satisfaction were similar between groups.
This systematic review of six studies found no consistent superiority of tendon graft versus dorsal capsulodesis for chronic scapholunate ligament injury; evidence certainty was very low, so choose individually.
In a survey of 617 Latin American surgeons, age and hand surgery fellowship training most influenced treatment choices for complex distal radius fractures, pointing to a need for targeted educational programs.
Machine learning models accurately predicted costs of common outpatient hand surgeries in New York, with zip code and hospital as top drivers and higher costs linked to socioeconomic deprivation extremes and minority patient share.
Autologous Bone Peg Grafting for Distal Phalanx Nonunion: A Report of Two Cases.
Two cases of symptomatic distal phalanx nonunion healed radiographically within 3 months after an ulna-harvested cortical bone peg was placed in the medullary canal, offering a stabilizing option for this difficult small-fragment problem.
Comparing two press-fit anatomic radial head prostheses, the longer aligned-stem ALIGN design had far fewer radiolucencies (12% vs 50%) with similar function at 2 years; osteolysis was linked to residual pain.
Practical review answering common hand-clinic questions in pregnant and postpartum patients, covering fetal risk, radiation safety, imaging choices, and medication management for nonsurgical care.
Review of total wrist arthroplasty in young, high-demand arthritis patients, tracing implant evolution; modern designs perform better, but long-term success in this group is uncertain, so careful patient selection is needed.
This review covers diagnosis and conservative and surgical management of varus-posteromedial rotatory instability of the elbow, stressing early recognition to avoid arthritis, stiffness, and other long-term complications.
This expert-opinion review surveys orthobiologics for elbow and upper extremity tendon, cartilage, and bone problems, noting PRP and autologous blood show positive outcomes for nonresponsive tendinopathy and cell therapies look promising.
Management of Lateral Epicondylosis.
Updated review of lateral epicondylosis management, noting most patients improve with nonoperative care while the best nonsurgical modality and the role of surgery in refractory cases remain debated.
How to Run a Cost-Effective Subspecialty Practice.
This paper argues that cost-effective hand specialty practice means limiting visits, tests, and treatments to those with clear benefit, using a learning health system approach that may also reduce moral distress.
Muscle preservation in proximal nerve injuries: a current update.
Review of strategies to limit muscle atrophy and fibro-fatty degeneration after proximal nerve injury, spanning exercise, electrical stimulation, drugs, regenerative approaches, and supercharge end-to-side neurotization.
Evolution and Diversity of Medial Sural Artery Perforator Flap for Hand Reconstruction.
The free medial sural artery perforator flap has evolved into a versatile option for complex hand and upper extremity reconstruction, with endoscopy and indocyanine green imaging aiding anatomic understanding and flap design.
Reviews evaluation and management of pediatric forearm malunions, including acceptable nonoperative parameters, imaging workup, corrective osteotomy planning technology, illustrative cases, and the authors' preferred approach.
Local and Systemic Nail Plate Abnormalities: A Clinical Review.
Clinical review of the most common local and systemic nail plate abnormalities, emphasizing a systematic examination approach since nail disorders are subtle, overlapping, and under-taught in training.
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