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What's New — Wrist — April 2026

14 new articles published this month.

Themes: Scaphoid Fracture and Nonunion Management · Carpal Instability and Impingement Syndromes · Distal Radius Fracture and Upper Limb Tendon Properties

Digest generated 2026-05-09 04:01:09+00:00.

Highlights

Scaphoid Fracture and Nonunion Management

This theme addresses the surgical management and biomechanics of scaphoid injuries. Articles [1], [2], [3], [4], and [7] explore various interventions for scaphoid fractures and nonunions. [1] examines volar plate impingement after fixation, while [2] and [7] discuss reconstruction and excision options for nonunions with or without arthritis. [3] and [4] provide biomechanical comparisons of pin configurations and double-screw osteosynthesis techniques. Additionally, [5] investigates the association between lunate morphology and scaphoid fracture risk, highlighting anatomical factors influencing injury patterns. These studies collectively inform clinical decision-making for scaphoid pathology.

Carpal Instability and Impingement Syndromes

This theme focuses on carpal alignment, impingement, and associated complications. [8] analyzes dynamic factors in ulnar impaction syndrome using cadaveric models. [9] assesses the risk of acute carpal tunnel syndrome in lunate and perilunate dislocations. [13] links surgical management of wrist arthritis to increased carpal tunnel syndrome risk, suggesting a need for rethinking preoperative evaluations. [14] evaluates how total wrist arthroplasty alignment affects range of motion and component impingement. Together, these articles highlight the importance of understanding carpal kinematics and impingement mechanisms to prevent iatrogenic complications and optimize surgical outcomes.

Distal Radius Fracture and Upper Limb Tendon Properties

This theme covers distal radius fracture outcomes and tendon tissue characteristics. [6] identifies preinjury predictors of complex regional pain syndrome following distal radius fractures through a nationwide propensity score-matched analysis. [12] presents an open-access dataset characterizing the biomechanical, biochemical, and morphological properties of 31 human cadaveric upper limb tendons. This data aids in graft selection and intervention development for tendon injuries. Although [11] discusses proximal ulna fractures, it is excluded as it falls outside the wrist region focus. These studies provide insights into prognostic factors and tissue mechanics relevant to upper limb care.

Articles by Theme

Scaphoid Fracture and Nonunion Management (6)

1. Stoltz MJ, Smith N, Metzman E, et al. Volar Plate Impingement Following Scaphoid Fracture Nonunion Surgery Using a Volar Locking Plate: A Retrospective Case Series. The Journal of Hand Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.04.017

This retrospective case series evaluated volar plate impingement following scaphoid fracture nonunion surgery using volar locking plates. The study identified specific clinical and radiographic signs of impingement, highlighting the need for careful hardware placement and potential removal strategies to mitigate postoperative pain and limited motion.

2. Zhu W, Zhuo L, Li B, et al. Is Scaphoid Reconstruction Still an Option for Scaphoid Nonunion With Established Arthritis? A Retrospective Study of a Group of Patients. The Journal of Hand Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.07.039

This retrospective study assessed the viability of scaphoid reconstruction in patients with established arthritis. The findings suggest that while reconstruction is technically challenging, it may remain a viable option for select patients with intact ligaments and limited joint degeneration, offering pain relief and functional improvement.

3. Hookasian E, Wahbeh JM, Iyer SS, et al. Pin Configurations for the Treatment of Scaphoid Nonunion: A Biomechanical Study. The Journal of Hand Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.08.009

This biomechanical study compared various pin configurations for treating scaphoid nonunion to determine optimal stability. Results indicated that specific multi-pin arrangements provide superior rotational and axial stability compared to single-pin techniques, guiding surgeons in selecting fixation methods for complex nonunions.

4. Surke C, Del Rosario PA, Huntington LS, et al. Fracture Fixation in an Unstable Scaphoid Fracture Model: A Biomechanical Comparison of Double Screw Osteosynthesis With Two Common Bone Graft and Fixation Techniques. The Journal of Hand Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.09.007

This biomechanical study compared double screw osteosynthesis with two common bone graft and fixation techniques in an unstable scaphoid fracture model. The analysis revealed differences in stiffness and load-bearing capacity, suggesting that double screw fixation may offer enhanced stability for unstable fractures when combined with appropriate grafting strategies.

5. Asfuroğlu ZM, Gümüşoğlu E, Ülker A. The Association Between Lunate Morphology and Scaphoid Fractures: A Comparative Radiographic Assessment. The Journal of Hand Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.10.018

This comparative radiographic assessment investigated the association between lunate morphology and scaphoid fractures. The study found significant correlations between specific lunate shapes and fracture patterns, implying that preoperative imaging analysis of lunate morphology may help predict fracture risk and guide surgical planning.

7. Scott-Tennent De Rivas A, Calvet PF, Mimó ME, et al. Simple Excision of Proximal Scaphoid Nonunion: A Viable Option When the Scapholunate Ligament Is Intact. The Journal of Hand Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2026.01.032

This study evaluated simple excision of the proximal scaphoid as a treatment option when the scapholunate ligament remains intact. The results demonstrated that this technique provides satisfactory functional outcomes and pain relief, offering a less invasive alternative to reconstruction for selected patients with proximal pole nonunions.

Carpal Instability and Impingement Syndromes (4)

8. Nabeshima K, Matsuura Y, Yamazaki T, et al. Influence of Dynamic Factors on Ulnar Impaction Syndrome: An Axial Compression Test Using Fresh-Frozen Cadavers. The Journal of Hand Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2026.02.032

Précis unavailable.

9. Wassef C, Chrabolowski J, Cheng F, et al. The Risk of Acute Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Lunate and Perilunate Dislocations. The Journal of Hand Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2026.02.033

This study investigates the incidence of acute carpal tunnel syndrome associated with lunate and perilunate dislocations. The findings highlight the significant risk of median nerve compression in these injuries, emphasizing the need for early neurological assessment.

13. Mzeihem M, Foy M, Alvarez J, et al. Surgical Management of Wrist Arthritis Is Linked to Increased Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/Carpal Tunnel Release Risk: Rethinking Preoperative Evaluation. The Journal of Hand Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2026.01.013

This study demonstrates that surgical management of wrist arthritis is linked to an increased risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome or requiring carpal tunnel release. The authors suggest rethinking preoperative evaluations to account for this heightened risk.

14. Li Y, Werner FW, Miller MA, et al. Effect of Total Wrist Arthroplasty Alignment on Wrist Range of Motion and Component Impingement. The Journal of Hand Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.12.021

This article examines the impact of total wrist arthroplasty alignment on wrist range of motion and component impingement. The findings offer guidance on optimizing surgical alignment to improve functional outcomes and reduce mechanical complications.

Distal Radius Fracture and Upper Limb Tendon Properties (2)

6. Mungalpara NK, Reiser WK, Van Poucke L, et al. A Nationwide Propensity Score-Matched Analysis Identifying Preinjury Predictors of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Following Distal Radius Fracture. The Journal of Hand Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2026.01.004

This axial compression test using fresh-frozen cadavers examined the influence of dynamic factors on ulnar impaction syndrome. The study quantified changes in contact pressure and area under various loading conditions, providing insight into the biomechanical mechanisms driving ulnar-sided pain and informing conservative or surgical management strategies.

12. Blaker CL, Ashton DM, Chang D, et al. The Biomechanical, Biochemical, and Morphological Properties of 31 Human Cadaveric Upper Limb Tendons: An Open Access Data Set. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine 2026. doi:10.1177/23259671261425673

This descriptive laboratory study characterized the morphological, biomechanical, and biochemical properties of 31 human upper limb tendons using cadaveric specimens. These findings expand the available data on tendon tissue properties, aiding in graft selection and intervention development.

10. Unknown Author. Table of Contents. The Journal of Hand Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/s0363-5023(26)00179-6

This entry serves as the table of contents for the journal issue and does not contain specific research data or findings. Consequently, no clinical implications or study outcomes can be derived from this text.

11. Lopiz Y, Sanchez del Saz J, González-Santander Hernández C, et al. Functional and radiographic outcomes after surgical management of complex proximal ulna fractures: a retrospective case series. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2025.07.029

This retrospective case series evaluates functional and radiographic outcomes following surgical management of complex proximal ulna fractures. The results provide insights into the efficacy of current surgical techniques for these challenging injuries.

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