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J Hand Microsurg 2016; 08(03): 127-133
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1586487
Original Article
Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Private Ltd.

Treatment and Postsurgery Functional Outcome of Spaghetti Wrist

Hamed Yazdanshenas
1   Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, California, United States
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California, United States
,
Alireza Fadaee Naeeni
3   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Gilan, Iran
,
Anousheh Ashouri
4   Department of Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States
,
Eleby R. Washington III
1   Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), Los Angeles, California, United States
,
Arya Nick Shamie
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California, United States
,
Kodi Azari
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

30 November 2015

30 June 2016

Publication Date:
17 August 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Background The outcomes of treating severe wrist injuries are not well understood and despite their complexity and prevalence, particularly among young adults, spaghetti wrist is rarely investigated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the postsurgery, functional outcome of spaghetti wrist injuries.

Material and Methods In this prospective cross-sectional study, 153 patients with spaghetti wrist injuries were followed up for approximately 20 months and were assessed regarding returning to work and postsurgical functional outcomes that included tendon functionality, opposition, intrinsic function, deformity, sensation, and grip strength.

Results The mean age was 28.3 ± 5 years. The most common cause of injury was glass window panes and bottles. Moreover, the most commonly involved structures were the tendons of flexor digitorum superficialis 3, 4, and 5. During the follow-up, the tendon functionality in 120 (78%), opposition in 115 (75.1%), and intrinsic function in 62 (40.5%) were “excellent.” Hand sensation was “fair” in 75 patients (49.1%), “good” in 46 patients (30%), and “excellent” in 28 patients (18.3%). The average return time to activities of daily living was 10 months.

Conclusion In this study, worse outcomes were seen in older patients and those with higher number of damaged structures (especially nerves).

Keywords

spaghetti wrist - tendon functionality - intrinsic function - sensation

Note

This article describes original work and is not under consideration by any other journal. All authors approved the article and this submission. The authors of this study declare no conflict of interest.