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The aim of this study was to develop an automated approach model to define in vivo kinematics of the trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint using four-dimensional computed tomography. A total of 15 healthy volunteers were included and their TMC joint kinematics were studied during a retropulsion-opposition-retropulsion movement. We used cardan angles estimated from transformation matrices using a ZYX-decomposition and analysed the motion of the thumb metacarpal relative to the trapezium, the thumb metacarpal relative to the index metacarpal, and the trapezium relative to the index metacarpal. The study also included an analysis of the joint hysteresis effect and a joint proximity model that estimated the joint contact area during a retropulsion-opposition-retropulsion movement. The automated approach significantly decreased the time needed to analyse each case and makes this model applicable for further research on TMC kinematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The opposable thumb provides both stability and mobility and is needed to accomplish different prehensile tasks. The trapezium is a complex bone, with a distal articular surface that is convex in the sagittal plane of the thumb and concave in the coronal plane of the thumb. The numerous additional articulations with the carpus and the oblique orientation to the main plane of the hand makes it difficult to evaluate the trapeziometacarpal joint using standard hand or wrist radiographic views. This review gives an overview of the different radiological views that have been described for the thumb with an emphasis on their historical origin and positioning during radiography. We also describe different measurements and classifications that can be obtained using different thumb radiographs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assess the distribution of trapezial inclination in a young population in order to propose a threshold for trapezial dysplasia. One hundred peritrapezial views were reconstructed from wrist computed tomography scan datasets to measure trapezial inclination. Seventy peritrapezial views were constructed from 10 datasets to assess the influence of radiograph rotation. Mean trapezial inclination in our population was 8° (range 0.2–17.9). Fifteen degrees of radiographic pronation or supination did not alter trapezial inclination significantly. Intra-rater consistency and absolute agreement had an interclass correlation (ICC) of 0.95. Inter-rater consistency and absolute agreement had an ICC of 0.88. Trapezial inclination is a reliable measurement for trapezial dysplasia with an excellent intra-rater and good inter-rater reliability and does not change significantly with 15° of radiographic pronation or supination. These normal values can be used to propose a threshold for trapezial dysplasia in the management of trapeziometacarpal joint instability in the younger population. Level of evidence: IV [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dear Editor, Periprosthetic fracture after linked total arthroplasty of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) has been reported on several occasions. In both cases, the fracture occurred at the second most proximal screw through the oblong hole of the radial component and caused a flexion deformity at the fracture site. We present two cases of periprosthetic distal radial fracture after total DRUJ arthroplasty with the Scheker prosthesis (Aptis Medical®, Glenview, NY, USA) ([2]) that occurred during our learning curve. [Extracted from the article]

Dear Editor, A 57-year-old cleaning lady presented to our department with a 6-month history of painful trapeziometacarpal (TMC) osteoarthritis. Total joint arthroplasty has become an increasingly popular treatment for symptomatic TMC joint osteoarthritis, although instability with dislocation of the prosthetic head remains a concern ([1]). References 1 Cootjans K, Vanhaecke J, Dezillie M, Barth J, Pottel H, Stockmans F. Joint survival analysis and clinical outcome of total joint arthroplasties with the ARPE implant in the treatment of trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis with a minimal follow-up of 5 years. [Extracted from the article]