Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

January 11, 2021

There is a controversy as to whether rotator cuff repairs done arthroscopically should be done with a single row of suture anchors or two rows, i.e., double row.  Investigators promoting the double-row technique have yet to prove a benefit and justify the cost.  Among the most experienced arthroscopic surgeons in…

Microsurgery for Brachial Plexus Injury, Before Vs. After 6 mos. of Age

February 24, 2020

Fortunately, injury to the major nerves to the upper extremity rare relatively rare in the United States, particularly in child delivery.  When they occur, however, there has been controversy as to when the best time is to intervene for those lesions which are expected to require end-to-end reconnecting and possibly…

Carpal Tunnel Release Outcome in Worker’s Compensation Patients

January 6, 2020

Jung, et al., in Hand 2018, Vol. 13, pages 137-142, published a meta-analysis (comparison of data in the literature) on private, i.e. non-work-related, and worker’s compensation-treated patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.  They found that worker’s compensation patients took almost five weeks longer to return to work and were 16% less…

Research shows ultrasound therapy adds NO BENEFIT to splinting for carpal tunnel syndrome

November 11, 2019

A recent article in Muscle & Nerve, 2019, Vol. 6, by Jothi and Bland, just published solely involved 20 people with use of a splint and ultrasound and 20 people with the splint and no ultrasound.  It showed no added benefit in the symptomatic relief gained with the use of…

Opioid Use Among Hand Surgery Patients

August 16, 2019

There has recently been a load of attention given to opioid use and abuse in the United States.  There is evidence that most patients are being given a lot more medication than they have required to treat potential postoperative pain.  In a large study reported in the Journal of Hand…