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Background: No goniometric technique is both maximally convenient and completely accurate, although photogoniometry (ie, picture taking to facilitate digital angle measurement) shows promise in this regard. Our purpose was to test the feasibility and reliability of a photogoniometric protocol designed to measure wrist and digit range of motion in general., Methods: Two independent observers examined a sample of joints in both normal and abnormal hands according to a photogoniometric protocol. Interrater and intrarater correlation were calculated, and these measurements were compared with measurements made by a third independent examiner with a manual goniometer., Results: The photo-based measurements were reliable within and between observers; however, only a minority of these measurements were in agreement with manually collected values., Conclusions: At present, photogoniometry is not an acceptable alternative to manual goniometry for determining wrist and digit range of motion in general. Joint-specific photogoniometry should be the subject of future study, as should relevant imaging and software technology.

Background: The authors' purpose was to determine if investigators can predict whether a needle is within a finger's flexor tendon by postinsertion tactile and visualization evaluation in an active range-of-motion cadaver model., Methods: In 48 cadaver fingers, a 25-gauge needle, with a 1-cc syringe attached, was placed into one of three randomly assigned positions at the A2 pulley level: within the flexor digitorum profundus, within the flexor digitorum superficialis, or outside both flexors and the sheath. Each finger was cycled through full active range of motion as three hand surgeons, blinded to each other's responses and needle position, recorded whether they thought the needle was intratendinous. The initial investigator confirmed needle position after each surgeon's assessment., Results: Active cadaver finger range of motion did not allow surgeons to accurately determine whether a needle was in a flexor tendon. There was no statistically significant agreement among the surgeons about whether the needle was intratendinous., Conclusion: Because of poor interobserver agreement, sensitivity, and negative predictive value, we conclude that finger range of motion is not a reliable test to detect intratendinous needle placement in this cadaver model.

Purpose: To compare stability and range of motion after hemi-hamate reconstruction versus volar plate arthroplasty in a biomechanical proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint fracture-dislocation model., Methods: Eighteen digits from 6 cadaver hands were tested. We created defects of 40%, 60%, and 80% in the palmar base of each digit's middle phalanx, simulating an acute PIP joint fracture-dislocation. Each defect scenario was reconstructed with a hemi-hamate arthroplasty followed by a volar plate arthroplasty. A computer-controlled mechanism was used to bring each digit's PIP joint from full extension to full flexion via the digital tendons in each testing state, and in the intact state. During each testing scenario we collected PIP joint cinedata in a true lateral projection using mini-fluoroscopy. A digital radiography program was used to measure the amount of middle phalanx dorsal translation (subluxation) in full PIP joint extension. We recorded the angle at which subluxation, if present, occurred during each testing scenario., Results: Average dorsal displacement of the middle phalanx in relation to the proximal phalanx was 0.01 mm for the hemi-hamate reconstructed joints and -0.03 mm for the volar plate arthroplasty, compared with the intact state. Flexion contractures were noted in each of the specimens reconstructed with volar plate arthroplasty. Degree of contracture was directly correlated with defect size, averaging 20° for 40% defects, 35° for 60% defects, and 60° for 80% defects. We observed no flexion contractures in the hemi-hamate reconstructions., Conclusions: Surgeons can use both hemi-hamate and volar plate arthroplasty to restore PIP joint stability following a fracture dislocation with a large middle phalanx palmar base defect. Use of volar plate arthroplasty led to an increasing flexion contracture as the middle phalanx palmar base defect increased., Clinical Relevance: Clinicians can use the information from this study to help with surgical decision-making and patient education., (Copyright © 2015 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To test distal forearm stability after 3 surgical procedures for distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) arthritis., Methods: We tested 11 cadaver limbs with the DRUJ intact, after distal ulna-matched hemiresection, after Darrach distal ulna resection, and after unlinked total DRUJ arthroplasty. We evaluated distal forearm stability in neutral rotation, full pronation, and full supination in unweighted and 1-kg-weighted conditions. We measured dorsal/palmar translation and convergence/divergence of the distal radius relative to the ulna., Results: Under neutral rotation, whether weighted or unweighted, matched hemiresection and Darrach specimens demonstrated significant radioulnar convergence relative to intact specimens. Weighted and unweighted, DRUJ arthroplasty demonstrated similar radioulnar convergence to intact. Weighted and unweighted, only Darrach specimens showed significant radius-palmar translation compared with intact, hemiresected, and DRUJ arthroplasty. In pronation, no testing scenario, either weighted or unweighted, demonstrated statistically significant radioulnar convergence relative to intact state. In unweighted pronation, palmar translation of the radius was significantly different from the intact state for all surgical scenarios and the Darrach was significantly worse than the other procedures. In weighted pronation, palmar translation of the radius was significantly different from the intact state for all surgical scenarios and the matched hemiresection was significantly better than the other procedures. In supination, weighted and unweighted, Darrach specimens had significant radioulnar convergence relative to intact. Either weighted or unweighted, the hemiresection and arthroplasty groups demonstrated similar radioulnar convergence relative to intact. Unweighted, all scenarios demonstrated similar dorsal translation of the radius. Weighted, the Darrach group showed significant radius-dorsal translation relative to intact specimens., Conclusions: For tested procedures, DRUJ arthroplasty overall was biomechanically superior to the other conditions except that we found greater stability in the hemiresected group in weighted pronation., Clinical Relevance: Knowledge of baseline biomechanical characteristics of DRUJ arthritis procedures will aid surgical decision-making and patient counseling., (Copyright © 2014 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)