Functional outcomes of replantation following radiocarpal amputation

Authors

Amar Arun Patel, Department of Orthopaedics, Hand, and Microvascular Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL; Department of Orthopaedics, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, Miami, FL.
Andrew L. Blount, Department of Orthopaedics, Hand, and Microvascular Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL; Department of Orthopaedics, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, Miami, FL.
Patrick W. Owens, Department of Orthopaedics, Hand, and Microvascular Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL; Department of Orthopaedics, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, Miami, FL.
Morad Askari, Department of Orthopaedics, Hand, and Microvascular Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL; Department of Orthopaedics, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, Miami, FL. Electronic address: maskari@med.miami.edu.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the long-term functional and clinical outcomes of patients who have undergone replantation after radiocarpal amputation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of radiocarpal joint amputations at a level 1 trauma center over a 13-year period. Medical records of patients treated with replantation were queried for injury data, operative reports, complications, and clinical progress. Patients who met inclusion criteria were contacted for long-term follow-up. We measured total active motion of each digit, strength (grip and pinch), and 2-point discrimination. Functional outcomes were assessed with Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score, Mayo Wrist Score, Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation, and Michigan Hand Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated, including frequencies for categorical variables and means and ranges for continuous variables. RESULTS: Six patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 36 years (range, 26-50 y). Five patients were available at a mean follow-up of 3.9 years (range, 1.0-6.9 y). Compared with the contralateral uninjured extremity, total active motion of the hand was 38% (range, 26% to 59%) and grip strength was 9% (range, 0% to 18%). Neither tip nor key pinch was present. Mean 2-point discrimination was 10.6 mm (range, 8-12 mm). All mean outcome scores indicated moderate disability, including Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (76; range, 45-82), Mayo Wrist Score (23; range, 5-50), Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (86; range, 56-98), and Michigan Hand Questionnaire (27; range, 15-55). Two patients were able to return to work and 3 were permanently disabled. All patients were satisfied with the hand function. CONCLUSIONS: Successful replantation for a radiocarpal joint amputation is associated with major restriction of motion, decreased strength, and moderate disability on functional outcome assessments. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Medical Subject Headings

Adult; Amputation, Traumatic (surgery); Disability Evaluation; Follow-Up Studies; Hand Strength (physiology); Humans; Microsurgery (methods); Middle Aged; Patient Satisfaction; Pinch Strength (physiology); Postoperative Complications (physiopathology); Range of Motion, Articular (physiology); Reoperation; Replantation (methods); Retrospective Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Touch (physiology); Wrist Injuries (surgery)

Publication Date

2-1-2015

Publication Title

The Journal of hand surgery

E-ISSN

1531-6564

Volume

40

Issue

2

First Page

266

Last Page

70

PubMed ID

25499843

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.10.017

Recommended Citation

Patel, Amar Arun; Blount, Andrew L.; Owens, Patrick W.; and Askari, Morad, "Functional outcomes of replantation following radiocarpal amputation" (2015). SJHMC Faculty. 42.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/sjhmc/42