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The occurrence of a symptomatic neuroma on a digital amputation stump, whether traumatic or not, is a frequent complication that affects the patient's quality of life. The objective of this study was to analyze the complications inherent to the various techniques used to manage the nerves when performing digital amputation. We compared different surgical nerve management techniques to determine if one technique is more effective than another in preventing neuroma occurrence. We reviewed 105 patients over a 5-year period. A DN4 score greater than 4 and the modified Tinel test (percussion) showing a trigger zone allowed us to clinically diagnose symptomatic neuroma-related pain. We found 23 symptomatic neuromas out of 131 digital amputations. Twelve neuromas were found when the nerves had been neglected (12/33), eight were found in nerves treated by stripping (8/60), three when nerves were treated by stripping and thermal ablation (3/18). No neuroma was found in the five cases of centrocentral union of the two proper palmar digital nerves, in the 5 nerves buried in the bone or in the 9 nerves subjected to thermal ablation only. Management of the nerve is essential for the prevention of neuromas in digital amputations. New techniques such as bone burial and centrocentral union of the two stumps appear to be particularly effective.

Rib cartilage grafts are widely used in maxillofacial surgery, but not in orthopedic surgery. The aim of this technical note is to describe the technique used to harvest this graft and to report on donor site complications in the 136 cases we have published on up to now. Harvesting is carried out at the osteochondral junction of the eighth rib. The osteochondral junction is located under the external oblique muscle and a perichondrium layer, which is retracted to allow safe harvesting. The amount of cartilage harvested depends on the size of the area being grafted. Harvesting of a rib osteochondral graft is easy to carry out, provides a considerable amount of hyaline cartilage for the reconstruction of degenerative and traumatic lesions on a joint surface and results in few donor site complications.

Pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis (PFT) is a functional emergency in hand surgery; however, its diagnosis can be difficult to make. It should always be considered when a patient presents with an inflamed finger. The goal of this study was to investigate the usefulness of ultrasound in the diagnosis of early PFT. Seventy-three patients with suspected pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis were candidates for the study. Since the diagnosis of PFT was obvious in 16 patients, they were excluded from the study and immediately underwent surgery. The remaining 57 patients underwent a clinical examination by a senior surgeon, a blood test for C-reactive protein levels and an ultrasound (US). The US results were compared to the intraoperative findings if the patients were operated or to the clinical outcome in non-operated patients. Seventeen patients had the US diagnosis of PFT confirmed intraoperatively. In 10 patients, the US diagnosis of PFT was not confirmed intraoperatively. In 29 other patients, the diagnosis of PFT was ruled out by US; they all had good outcomes after being treated with antibiotics. In one patient for whom the diagnosis of PFT had been ruled out by US, PFT was actually present. Ultrasound had 94% sensitivity, 65% specificity, 63% positive predictive value, and 95% negative predictive value. Ultrasound is useful as a diagnostic tool for managing early PFT thanks to its excellent negative predictive value and specificity. This objective examination complements the surgeon's subjective clinical examination.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the function and quality of life in patients who have undergone replantation of the hand or forearm. We carried out a retrospective single-center study of cases performed between 1977 and 2015. Our hospital's database was searched for patients who underwent replantation of the distal half of the forearm and hand (except the fingers). The evaluation included sensitivity, joint mobility, strength and quality of life. Conventional functional scores were used. Seventeen replantation cases were identified. Four patients were lost to follow-up. Of the 13 available patients, two suffered a replantation failure. Ultimately 11 patients were included in the study. Three patients were evaluated based on their medical records and eight were reviewed in person. The mean patient age was 31 ± 11.8 years. The sensory evaluation resulted in five patients being classified as S1 and one as S3+. The mean Kapandji score was 4.3 ± 2.3 [0–6]. The mean grip strength was 39.4 ± 20% [0–80], and the pinch strength was 36.2 ± 16% [0–60] compared to the healthy contralateral side. The mean DASH was 36.2 ± 30.4 [4.5–79.5]. According to Chen's classification, two patients were at stage IV. For 50% of patients, the overall quality of life was at least equivalent to that of the general population. Replantation of the distal half of the forearm and hand should be attempted whenever possible. Although replantation causes some disability, good quality of life seems to be maintained.

None of the classification systems for distal radius fractures is ideal. However a validated system to analyze these fractures is available that is based on the "metaphysis, epiphysis, ulna" (MEU) classification and the "patient, accident, fracture" (PAF) system. It makes it possible to understand the injury and select the best treatment.

Intra-articular malunion of the distal radius in high-demand patients can be treated reliably with an osteocartilaginous autograft from the rib. This graft is simple to harvest and it is used to resurface the carpal articular surface of the radius.

Extra-articular distal radius fractures in active elderly patients are common and predominantly affect females. The high number of patients lost to follow-up compromises the evaluation of outcomes. Treatment aims to control the comminution and allow fast recovery of pre-injury activity levels. Fixation with volar locking plates is the gold standard. The role of bone substitutes in this type of injury is unclear.