Wrist & Hand

The October 2026 Wrist & Hand Roundup 360 looks at: Scaphoid fracture displacement and younger adult age increase the risk of nonunion following cast treatment; MRI measurement of median nerve size shows limited diagnostic value for carpal tunnel syndrome; Trapeziectomy remains the dependable option for base of thumb arthritis, while joint replacement offers functional promise at the cost of more reoperations; Longer operating time and increasing fracture complexity are associated with complications after distal radius fracture surgery; Intramedullary cannulated screw fixation provides durable hand function after metacarpal and phalangeal fractures, although revision remains necessary in a minority of patients; Continuing biological DMARDs during elective hand surgery may reduce rheumatoid arthritis flares without substantially increasing wound complications; Significant nonunion rate in paediatric scaphoid fractures results in significant morbidity and costs; Thumb carpometacarpal joint denervation provides durable symptom relief for most patients while preserving options for later reconstructive surgery.