The Journal of hand surgery
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Comparative Study
The overutilization of resources in patients with acute upper extremity trauma and infection.
To compare patients with acute upper extremity injuries and infections presenting initially to the emergency department with patients transferred from outside institutions, and to evaluate triage guidelines for the appropriate transfer of these patients. ⋯ Prognostic III.
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Patient-rated instruments are increasingly used to measure orthopedic outcomes. However, the clinical relevance of modest score changes on such instruments is often unclear. This study was designed to define the minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), QuickDASH (subset of DASH), and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) questionnaires for atraumatic conditions of the hand, wrist, and forearm. ⋯ Diagnostic III.
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Comparative Study
Radioscapholunate arthrodesis with excision of the distal scaphoid: comparison of contact characteristics to the intact wrist.
To evaluate the midcarpal contact characteristics at the lunocapitate (LC) and scaphotrapezio-trapezoidal (STT) joints in 3 wrist conditions: intact, after simulating a radioscapholunate (RSL) arthrodesis, and after an RSL arthrodesis with distal scaphoid excision (DSE). ⋯ Radioscapholunate arthrodesis results in increased midcarpal contact pressures that may explain the clinical incidence of midcarpal arthritis. Excision of the distal scaphoid further increases contact pressures in the remaining midcarpal joint and may further increase the incidence of midcarpal arthritis. These alterations in contact characteristics of the midcarpal joint should be considered when excising the distal scaphoid for improved range of motion.
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Comparative Study
Analysis of a knotless flexor tendon repair using a multifilament stainless steel cable-crimp system.
To compare the biomechanical and technical properties of flexor tendon repairs using a 4-strand cruciate FiberWire (FW) repair and a 2-strand multifilament stainless steel (MFSS) single cross-lock cable-crimp system. ⋯ A cable crimp flexor tendon repair may offer an attractive alternative to current repair methods. The benefits may be important especially for flexor tendon repair in zone 2 or for the repair of multiple tendons.