As fraturas da extremidade distal do rádio são muito comuns em nosso meio, sendo a mais freqüente do punho. Inúmeras pesquisas já foram realizadas sobre o tema e é conhecida a importância da redução anatômica das fraturas intra-articulares; porém, a causa de insucesso no seu tratamento pode ser a associação de outras lesões, envolvendo partes moles e cartilagem. O objetivo foi realizar uma avaliação artroscópica para analisar a incidência das lesões ligamentares e condrais associadas às fraturas intraarticulares da extremidade distal do rádio, correlacionado-a com classificação AO/ASIF. Trinta pacientes, com idade entre 20 a 50 anos, portadores de fratura fechada dos grupos B e C da classificação AO/ASIF foram selecionados. Todos eles foram submetidos à artroscopia do punho, para abordar as lesões intra-articulares e para redução e osteossíntese da fratura. Observou-se uma alta incidência de lesões intra-articulares, sendo que 76,7% deles apresentavam lesão do complexo da fibrocartilagem triangular, 36,6% do ligamento intrínseco escafo-semilunar, 6,6% do ligamento intrínseco semilunar-piramidal e 33,3% com lesão da cartilagem articular maior que três milímetros. Pacientes portadores de fraturas tipo C da classificação AO/ASIF apresentam uma incidência maior de lesões ligamentares associadas. Não houve relação entre a presença de lesão cartilaginosa e a classificação AO/ASIF das fraturas nesta casuística. / Fractures of the distal end of the radius are very frequent in our country and the most common is that of the wrist. Much research was carried out on the subject and the importance of the anatomical reduction of intra-articular fractures is well known, however the cause of unsuccessful treatment may be the association of other injuries involving soft tissues and cartilage. The purpose here was to perform an arthroscopic evaluation to analyze the incidence of ligament and chondral injuries associated to intra-articular fractures of the distal end of the radius, for correlation with the AO/ASIF classification. Thirty patients ranging from 20 to 50 years of age, bearers of closed fractures of groups B and C of the AO/ASIF classification were selected. They were submitted to wrist arthroscopy to treat the intra-articular injuries for fracture reduction and osteosynthesis. A high incidence of intraarticular injuries was noted, 76.7% of them presenting injury of the triangular fibrocartilage complex, 36.6% of the intrinsic scapholunate ligament, 6.6% of the intrinsic lunotriquetral ligament and 33.3% of an injury of the articular cartilage larger than three millimeters. Patients bearers of a type C fracture in the AO/ASIF classification present with a higher incidence of associated ligament injuries. No relation between presence of cartilage injury and AO/ASIF Classification was found in this casuistry.

Residual dysfunction after a fracture of the distal radius is most often mild but may give rise to significant impairment especially in the younger active population. The symptoms often manifest around the distal ulna when loading the hand or rotating the forearm. In this region are found articular and soft tissue connections running from the distal ulna to the distal radius as well as to the ulnar side of the carpus. The aims of this thesis were to investigate the effects of distal radius fractures on the structures about the distal ulna and to what extent malunion and ulnar soft tissue lesions affect function. Both patients and cadaver specimens were used in the five different studies. In a retrospective study of 17 malunited distal radius fractures supination impairment improved significantly by correction of the skeletal malunion. This highlights the importance of distal radioulnar joint congruity for forearm rotation in a subset of cases. The pathomechanisms of injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) were studied. In a cadaveric distal radius fracture model different restraining properties and injury patterns were investigated. Similar patterns of injury were then observed in 20 patients with a displaced distal radius fracture. It was found that a TFCC injury can be expected with dorsal displacement of the distal radius fragment of 32o or more from the anatomically correct position. The distribution of a TFCC injury apparently differs depending on the size of an associated ulnar styloid fracture. In cases of an intact ulnar styloid or a concomitant tip fracture (Type 1) the first stage of injury seems to be extensor carpi ulnaris subsheath separation from the distal ulna and the dorsal radioulnar ligament. Thereafter follows a disruption of the deep insertions into the fovea of the ulna starting from the palmar and extending dorsally and radially. An extensive injury can be detected with a novel non-invasive test called the ‘bald ulnar head test’, which is performed under anaesthesia. Diagnosis of an acute TFCC injury is difficult using non-invasive methods. In a prospective study of 48 patients, CT scanning to detect pathologic subluxation was found to be of little use in both acute and chronic cases, and is therefore not endorsed on this indication. A radioulnar stress test, which in previous studies has correlated well to a deep TFCC injury, was found to be highly reliable but not to correspond with significant disability in self-administered questionnaires of functional outcome two years or more after injury. This indicates that the subset of patients possibly benefiting from acute repair must be identified by other means.

Objective: The purposes of this thesis included: i) To explore the annual incidence and time-loss duration of traumatic, work-related injuries of four nature-of-injury (fractures, nerve lacerations, tendon lacerations/disruptions and amputations) and two part-of-body categories (hand and wrist); and ii) To identify the incidence and time-loss duration, and examine explanatory variables that were associated with time-loss duration for subjects with hand fractures. Methodology: Data on incidence, time-loss duration and explanatory variables were reviewed on claims accepted between January – December 2006 at WorkSafe-New Brunswick. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were used to explore incidence and time-loss duration. Using a biopsychosocial framework, explanatory variables associated with time-loss duration were analyzed using Cox Proportional Hazards regression. Results: The incidence for hand and wrist trauma involving fractures, tendon lacerations/disruptions and amputations was low (3%). Incidence was significantly higher for fractures and for injuries to the hand, while time-loss duration was significantly higher for the wrist (p< .05). The incidence rate of hand fractures was low (1.5%) and average time-loss duration was high (92 days). Increased time-loss duration was associated with greater medical aid costs (used as a proxy for injury severity) older age and increased receipt of therapy (Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy). Conclusions: The annual incidence of specific injuries involving the hand and wrist is challenging to compare to the literature since incidence is presented in many ways. Time-loss duration following hand and wrist injuries is highly variable. Time-loss duration for hand fractures exceeded reports in the literature and predicted values reported in disability duration guidelines. Consideration of the impairment, personal and environmental factors is warranted to provide a framework to the return-to-work process for all stakeholders involved in the care of the hand- and wrist-injured worker.

As fraturas da extremidade distal do rádio são muito comuns em nosso meio, sendo a mais freqüente do punho. Inúmeras pesquisas já foram realizadas sobre o tema e é conhecida a importância da redução anatômica das fraturas intra-articulares; porém, a causa de insucesso no seu tratamento pode ser a associação de outras lesões, envolvendo partes moles e cartilagem. O objetivo foi realizar uma avaliação artroscópica para analisar a incidência das lesões ligamentares e condrais associadas às fraturas intraarticulares da extremidade distal do rádio, correlacionado-a com classificação AO/ASIF. Trinta pacientes, com idade entre 20 a 50 anos, portadores de fratura fechada dos grupos B e C da classificação AO/ASIF foram selecionados. Todos eles foram submetidos à artroscopia do punho, para abordar as lesões intra-articulares e para redução e osteossíntese da fratura. Observou-se uma alta incidência de lesões intra-articulares, sendo que 76,7% deles apresentavam lesão do complexo da fibrocartilagem triangular, 36,6% do ligamento intrínseco escafo-semilunar, 6,6% do ligamento intrínseco semilunar-piramidal e 33,3% com lesão da cartilagem articular maior que três milímetros. Pacientes portadores de fraturas tipo C da classificação AO/ASIF apresentam uma incidência maior de lesões ligamentares associadas. Não houve relação entre a presença de lesão cartilaginosa e a classificação AO/ASIF das fraturas nesta casuística. / Fractures of the distal end of the radius are very frequent in our country and the most common is that of the wrist. Much research was carried out on the subject and the importance of the anatomical reduction of intra-articular fractures is well known, however the cause of unsuccessful treatment may be the association of other injuries involving soft tissues and cartilage. The purpose here was to perform an arthroscopic evaluation to analyze the incidence of ligament and chondral injuries associated to intra-articular fractures of the distal end of the radius, for correlation with the AO/ASIF classification. Thirty patients ranging from 20 to 50 years of age, bearers of closed fractures of groups B and C of the AO/ASIF classification were selected. They were submitted to wrist arthroscopy to treat the intra-articular injuries for fracture reduction and osteosynthesis. A high incidence of intraarticular injuries was noted, 76.7% of them presenting injury of the triangular fibrocartilage complex, 36.6% of the intrinsic scapholunate ligament, 6.6% of the intrinsic lunotriquetral ligament and 33.3% of an injury of the articular cartilage larger than three millimeters. Patients bearers of a type C fracture in the AO/ASIF classification present with a higher incidence of associated ligament injuries. No relation between presence of cartilage injury and AO/ASIF Classification was found in this casuistry.

Introdução: Ao analisar a osteoartrose pós-traumática do punho a literatura demonstra que sua etiologia é, na maioria das vezes, secundária a lesões ligamentares ou a fraturas do carpo que, por sua vez, seguem um padrão definido e evolutivo de acometimento articular do punho. Várias abordagens cirúrgicas são descritas para o tratamento da osteoartrose pós-traumática do carpo. Considerando a carpectomia proximal e a artrodese dos quatro cantos, a literatura apresenta apenas estudos retrospectivos comparando os resultados funcionais entre as técnicas. O objetivo desta tese é comparar os resultados funcionais entre a carpectomia proximal e a artrodese dos quatro cantos no tratamento da osteoartrose pós-traumática do punho, sem acometimento da articulação mediocárpica. Método: Neste estudo prospectivo e randomizado 20 pacientes portadores de osteoartrose pós-traumática sem acometimento da articulação mediocárpica do punho, submetidos à carpectomia proximal ou a artrodese dos quatro cantos tiveram seus dados pós-operatórios analisados e comparados. Resultados: Todos os pacientes deste estudo referiram melhora da dor e da sua capacidade funcional. Em todos os casos houve diminuição dos valores pré e pós-operatórios de goniometria em ambos os procedimentos. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os procedimentos. Conclusão: Com relação aos resultados funcionais, a carpectomia proximal e a artrodese dos quatro cantos são procedimentos efetivos e semelhantes no tratamento dos pacientes portadores de SLAC/SNAC WRIST sem acometimento da articulação mediocárpica. / Introduction: Wrist arthritis results most of the times from ligaments tears or carpal bones fractures. Many surgical procedures are described in literature. Regarding proximal row carpectomy and four corner arthrodesis, there are only retrospective studies available in literature. The objective of this study is to compare the functional results between these two surgical procedures. Method: In this prospective and randomized study 20 patients underwent proximal row carpectomy or four corner arthrodesis for the treatment of wrist arthritis. In all patients the midcarpal joints were free of lesions. Functional results were compared. Results: Both proximal row carpectomy and four corner arthrodesis improved pain. All cases showed decreased range of motion after surgery. The differences between the groups were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Regarding functional results both procedures were similar and improved pain in patients with SLAC/SNAC WRIST without degenerative changes in midcarpal joint.

Introdução: Ao analisar a osteoartrose pós-traumática do punho a literatura demonstra que sua etiologia é, na maioria das vezes, secundária a lesões ligamentares ou a fraturas do carpo que, por sua vez, seguem um padrão definido e evolutivo de acometimento articular do punho. Várias abordagens cirúrgicas são descritas para o tratamento da osteoartrose pós-traumática do carpo. Considerando a carpectomia proximal e a artrodese dos quatro cantos, a literatura apresenta apenas estudos retrospectivos comparando os resultados funcionais entre as técnicas. O objetivo desta tese é comparar os resultados funcionais entre a carpectomia proximal e a artrodese dos quatro cantos no tratamento da osteoartrose pós-traumática do punho, sem acometimento da articulação mediocárpica. Método: Neste estudo prospectivo e randomizado 20 pacientes portadores de osteoartrose pós-traumática sem acometimento da articulação mediocárpica do punho, submetidos à carpectomia proximal ou a artrodese dos quatro cantos tiveram seus dados pós-operatórios analisados e comparados. Resultados: Todos os pacientes deste estudo referiram melhora da dor e da sua capacidade funcional. Em todos os casos houve diminuição dos valores pré e pós-operatórios de goniometria em ambos os procedimentos. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os procedimentos. Conclusão: Com relação aos resultados funcionais, a carpectomia proximal e a artrodese dos quatro cantos são procedimentos efetivos e semelhantes no tratamento dos pacientes portadores de SLAC/SNAC WRIST sem acometimento da articulação mediocárpica. / Introduction: Wrist arthritis results most of the times from ligaments tears or carpal bones fractures. Many surgical procedures are described in literature. Regarding proximal row carpectomy and four corner arthrodesis, there are only retrospective studies available in literature. The objective of this study is to compare the functional results between these two surgical procedures. Method: In this prospective and randomized study 20 patients underwent proximal row carpectomy or four corner arthrodesis for the treatment of wrist arthritis. In all patients the midcarpal joints were free of lesions. Functional results were compared. Results: Both proximal row carpectomy and four corner arthrodesis improved pain. All cases showed decreased range of motion after surgery. The differences between the groups were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Regarding functional results both procedures were similar and improved pain in patients with SLAC/SNAC WRIST without degenerative changes in midcarpal joint.

<p>Scaphoid fracture is most common in young individuals of working age. Without adequate diagnosis and treatment, long-term results are poor. Operative treatment is being recommended increasingly often instead of a long time in cast, although there is no evidence-based support for its superiority.</p><p>The present thesis focuses on diagnostic problems and therapeutic consequences of acute scaphoid fractures and of scaphoid reconstruction when other treatments have failed.</p><p>Simultaneous plain radiographs and computed tomography were done in 97 injured wrists. Structural assessments of plain radiography images were highly predictive with respect to the risk of having a displaced or comminute fracture as diagnosed on computed tomography. Any finding of a gap or step-off > 0.5 mm, the presence of an intermediate fragment or a dorsal lunate tilt of ≥ 15° identified 81 % of fractures that were displaced or comminuted when investigated with computed tomography.</p><p>Eighty-three patients were randomly allocated to and received either nonoperative treatment in cast or operative treatment with the aim of assessing long-term outcome of the two treatment options. Fifty-two of the patients were occupationally active. From an occupational perspective with an early return to work, surgical treatment was superior in individuals with manual employment, and from a health economic perspective conservative treatment was superior in non-manual workers.</p><p>Patients treated for scaphoid fractures generally do well up to 13 years after the injury based on limb-specific outcome scores. No benefits were identified with operative treatment compared to non-operative treatment in cast. On the contrary, there was an increased risk for osteoarthritis in the scaphotrapezial joint in those who were operated.</p><p>The patient-rated long-term results of silicone implant arthroplasty were good, with pain relief and reasonable hand function in many patients up to 20 years after surgery.</p>

Scaphoid fracture is most common in young individuals of working age. Without adequate diagnosis and treatment, long-term results are poor. Operative treatment is being recommended increasingly often instead of a long time in cast, although there is no evidence-based support for its superiority. The present thesis focuses on diagnostic problems and therapeutic consequences of acute scaphoid fractures and of scaphoid reconstruction when other treatments have failed. Simultaneous plain radiographs and computed tomography were done in 97 injured wrists. Structural assessments of plain radiography images were highly predictive with respect to the risk of having a displaced or comminute fracture as diagnosed on computed tomography. Any finding of a gap or step-off &gt; 0.5 mm, the presence of an intermediate fragment or a dorsal lunate tilt of ≥ 15° identified 81 % of fractures that were displaced or comminuted when investigated with computed tomography. Eighty-three patients were randomly allocated to and received either nonoperative treatment in cast or operative treatment with the aim of assessing long-term outcome of the two treatment options. Fifty-two of the patients were occupationally active. From an occupational perspective with an early return to work, surgical treatment was superior in individuals with manual employment, and from a health economic perspective conservative treatment was superior in non-manual workers. Patients treated for scaphoid fractures generally do well up to 13 years after the injury based on limb-specific outcome scores. No benefits were identified with operative treatment compared to non-operative treatment in cast. On the contrary, there was an increased risk for osteoarthritis in the scaphotrapezial joint in those who were operated. The patient-rated long-term results of silicone implant arthroplasty were good, with pain relief and reasonable hand function in many patients up to 20 years after surgery.