Objective To explore the histological changes of the wrist interosseous ligaments after radiofrequency electrothermal shrinkage. Methods Six frozen fresh male adult cadaver wrist ligaments were exploited for the research. The ligaments of the right wrists were treated with radiofrequency electrothermal shrinkage with Arthrocare system, while the ligaments of the left wrists were kept as the normal control. The bone-ligament-hone samples of all the scapholunate (SL) and lunotriquetral (LT) ligaments were prepared, sectioned and then stained with the regular HE staining, toluidine blue staining, Sirius-red staining and immunohistochemistry staining of collagen Ⅲ. The image analysis software was used to compare the staining results. Results The histological structures of SL dorsal ligaments (SL-d) and LT volar ligaments (LT-v) were very similar, and the structures of SL volar ligaments (SL-v) and LT dorsal ligaments (LT-d) were also very similar. The membrane parts of both SL and LT ligaments showed the fibrous cartilage structure. The histological structures of SL-d and LT-v were much less destroyed by the radiofrequency than those of SL-v and LT-d. After radiofrequency electrothermal shrinkage, only the distribution areas of collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ were significantly changed in the membrane parts of SL and LT ligaments. Conclusion Radiofrequency electrothermal shrinkage treatment can cause minor structural damage to the collagen-dominant ligaments such as SL-d and LT-v, while it can lead to quite severe structural damage to the ligaments containing collagen and lots of loose connective tissue, such as SL-v and LT-d.

To explore the clinical classification of hamate hook fracture and the treatment strategy for different type of fractures, 12 patients who suffered from hamate hook fractures were followed up retrospectively. According to the fracture sites and the prognosis, we classified the hamate hook fractures into 3 types. Type I referred to an avulsion fracture at the tip of hamate hook, type II was a fracture in the middle part of hamate hook, and type III represented a fracture at the base of hamate hook. By the classification, in our series, only 1 fell into type I, 7 type II, and 4 type III. The results were evaluated with respect to the functional recovery, recovery time and the association among the clinical classification, pre-operative complications and treatment results. The average follow-up time of this group was 8.4±3.9 months. Two cases were found to have fracture non-union and both of them were type II fractures. Six patients had complications before operation. Five cases were type II fractures and 1 case type III fracture. All the patients were satisfied with the results at the time of the last follow-up. Their pain scale and grip strength improved significantly after treatment. All the pre-operative complications were relieved. The recovery time of hamate hook excision was significantly shorter than that of the other two treatments. The incidences of both pre-operative complications and non-union in type II fractures were higher than those in type I and type III fractures. It was concluded that, generally, the treatment effects with hamate hook fracture are quite good. The complication incidence and prognosis of the fracture are closely related to the clinical classification. Early intervention is critical for type II fractures.

Objective To evaluate the treatment effects of middle and proximal phalangeal fractures with lateral fixation of mini-titanium plate.Methods From December 2011 to April 2015,56 patients (64 phalanges) suffered from closed middle and proximal phalangeal fractures were treated with lateral fixation of mini-titanium plate.There were 48 males and 8 females,aged from 17 to 65 years (average,36.3 years).Fractures included 25 cases of middle phalangeal fracture and 39 cases of proximal phalangeal fracture.According to site of fracture,12 cases were middle phalangeal condyle fractur,7 cases were middle phalangeal shaft fracture,6 cases were middle phalangeal base fracture,10 cases were proximal phalangeal condyle fracture,22 cases were proximal phalangeaal shaft fracture and 7 cases were proximal phalangeal base fracture.According to the type of fracture,13 cases were transverse,9 cases were short oblique,11 cases were long oblique,6 cases were spiral and 25 cases were comminuted fracture.All phalangeal fractures were exposed by lateral approach,in which the lateral band and oblique fibers of proximal phalanx were excised to fully expose proximal phalangeal fracture.After the reduction,the fractures were fixed with mini-titanium plate laterally.The Disabilities of the Arm,Shoulder and Hand (DASH)and the bilateral fingers total active motion (TAM) were employed to evaluate the functions.All patients took X ray during follow-up.Results All 56 patients were followed up from 9 to 47 months,average (14 ± 6) months.Phalangeal fractures were healed from 7 to 14 weeks,average (8.8 ± 2.4) weeks without loss of fixation or malunion.At final follow-up,DASH score were from 1.7 to 7.5,with an average of 4.8 ± 2.2.TAM of the fingers was excellent (＞ 90％ TAM of the contralateral side) in 33/64 (51.5％) cases,good (75％-90％ TAM of the contralateral side) in 30/64 (46.9％) cas es,fair (50％-75％ TAM of the contralateral side) 1/64 (1.6％) cases.Conclusion Lateral approach fully exposes middle and proximal phalangeal fractures and less interferes with the extensor mechanism.Lateral fixation with mini-titanium plate could provide stability and allow early motion.This technique may be an optional choice in clinical practice.

To explore the clinical classification of hamate hook fracture and the treatment strategy for different type of fractures, 12 patients who suffered from hamate hook fractures were followed up retrospectively. According to the fracture sites and the prognosis, we classified the hamate hook fractures into 3 types. Type I referred to an avulsion fracture at the tip of hamate hook, type II was a fracture in the middle part of hamate hook, and type III represented a fracture at the base of hamate hook. By the classification, in our series, only 1 fell into type I, 7 type II, and 4 type III. The results were evaluated with respect to the functional recovery, recovery time and the association among the clinical classification, pre-operative complications and treatment results. The average follow-up time of this group was 8.4±3.9 months. Two cases were found to have fracture non-union and both of them were type II fractures. Six patients had complications before operation. Five cases were type II fractures and 1 case type III fracture. All the patients were satisfied with the results at the time of the last follow-up. Their pain scale and grip strength improved significantly after treatment. All the pre-operative complications were relieved. The recovery time of hamate hook excision was significantly shorter than that of the other two treatments. The incidences of both pre-operative complications and non-union in type II fractures were higher than those in type I and type III fractures. It was concluded that, generally, the treatment effects with hamate hook fracture are quite good. The complication incidence and prognosis of the fracture are closely related to the clinical classification. Early intervention is critical for type II fractures.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Bone ; classification ; surgery ; therapy ; Hamate Bone ; injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult