Anatomy of the intercostal nerves of ribs in the lower rib cage: A pilot study.

Background: Traditional intercostal nerve anatomy teaching describes nerves crossing directly across the costal margin. Significant variability in costal margin bony anatomy has been described. Our cadaveric study evaluated variability, branching, and coursing patterns of intercostal nerves at the costal margin.

Gender Differences in Salary Compensation for Academic Hand Surgery Faculty at US Medical Schools.

Purpose: This study investigated gender differences in salary compensation for hand surgery faculty at US medical schools.

Methods: Salary compensation benchmarks were analyzed from 154 US medical schools in the 2023 American Association of Medical Colleges Faculty Salary Survey. Median salaries were extracted for assistant professors, associate professors, and full professors.

A 12-Year Analysis of Demand and Supply for Hand Surgery Training in the United States.

Background: The consistent recruitment of quality applicants is critical to the integrity of the US surgical workforce. This study assesses the demand and supply for hand surgery training in the United States.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of US hand surgery fellowship applicants from 2012 to 2023.

Diagnostic Considerations in Compressive Neuropathies.

Peripheral nerve compression of the upper extremity is a common pathology often necessitating surgical intervention, much is known, but much more is left to understand. For the more common pathologies, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and ulnar tunnel syndrome, research and clinical efforts directed toward standardization and reduction of resource use have been attempted with varied success. Diagnosis of many of these syndromes is largely based on a proper history and physical examination.

Risks of Chronic Preoperative Opioid Use on Distal Radius Surgery Outcomes.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of chronic preoperative opioid use on complications, reoperation rates, and postoperative opioid use among patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of distal radius fractures.

Methods: A retrospective review of 111 patients who underwent ORIF of a distal radius fracture from 2019 to 2021 at an academic medical center by the same fellowship-trained orthopedic hand surgeon was conducted. Patient demographics, medical comorbidities, perioperative details, surgical complications, and patient-reported outcome measures were analyzed.

Long-Term Oral Steroid Use: A Unique Risk Factor in 4-Corner Fusion Compared With Other Wrist Salvage Operations.

Introduction: Salvage procedures such as proximal row carpectomy, 4-corner fusion, total wrist arthroplasty, and total wrist arthrodesis are commonly used at the end stages of wrist arthritis. These operations have high complication rates, and significant controversy exists regarding the selection of procedure. Long-term oral glucocorticoid therapy has previously been identified as a risk factor for complications in multiple orthopedic procedures.

Risk Factors for 30-Day Complications and Unplanned Reoperation Following Surgical Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify demographic data, medical comorbidities, and perioperative factors that are associated with increased risk of overall surgical complications, wound complications, and reoperation within 30 days of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of distal radius fractures.

Methods: All adult patients undergoing ORIF of distal radius fractures in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database between 2005 and 2020 were identified. Patients were excluded for secondary procedures, open/infected injuries, or inpatient surgical setting.

The Rates of Nonunion and Malunion in Lower Extremity Fractures: Experience in South Carolina over 17 years.

Our purpose was to determine the rates of lower extremity nonunion and malunion over 17 years in South Carolina. Our hypothesis was that malunions and nonunions decreased over time due to improved access to trauma centers and improved orthopaedic surgical training. The South Carolina Department of Budget and Control Hospital Discharge Database was queried between 1998-2014 and yielded a total of 4,994 malunions and 16,454 nonunions.

Elevated BMI is associated with intra-articular comminution, prolonged operative time, and postoperative complications in distal radius fractures.

Introduction: Obesity continues to be a problem in the United States with greater than 35% of the adult population affected. Obesity influences fracture care as it affects impact forces, alters cellular pathways of healing, and is often associated with higher complication rates. Distal radius fractures are among the most common fracture patterns in the adult population.

Oral calcitonin.

Calcitonin is a hormone secreted by the C-cells of the thyroid gland in response to elevations of the plasma calcium level. It reduces bone resorption by inhibiting mature active osteoclasts and increases renal calcium excretion. It is used in the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis, Paget's disease of bone, and malignancy-associated hypercalcemia.