A fifty-six-year-old woman with classical rheumatoid arthritis had subacute onset of paraparesis due to thoracic epidural rheumatoid nodules. Although plain radiograms and computed tomograms of the thoracic spine were negative except for old compression fractures, magnetic resonance imaging revealed thoracic spinal cord compression due to masses at multiple levels. There was a steady recovery after excision surgery.

The present study indicated high consistency of the veins in partial toe-transfer flaps with a short vascular pedicle and the high possibility of harvesting a flap with only exposing the first web space. In addition, in most cases, the flap will include one or, at most, two veins in the first web space.

We applied an adjustable traction method which enables early range of motion exercise for the dorsal fracture-dislocation of the distal interphalangeal joint, and obtained satisfactory results. The reduction of comminuted fragments or depression of the joint is unnecessary using the traction method, because early exercise accelerates the remodelling of the injured soft tissue, followed by the development of joint stability. This traction mechanism is independent of the vector force of the traction applied due to the frame-structure construction. Our method makes it easy to adjust the traction force in millimetre increments of the glove-finger length, and has broad range of traction force. In cases where the dislocation is persistent even after strengthening the traction force, a transverse-transfixing Kirschner wire (K-wire) can be inserted to hold the reduction securely against subluxation.

Angioleiomyomas are benign solitary soft-tissue tumors that originate from the vascular smooth muscle of vessels and rarely occur in the hand. Pain and tenderness are the only clinical characteristics. This report presents a rare case of angioleiomyoma arising from both the superficial palmar arch and a concomitant vein of the artery. The MRI findings lack specific radiological features. However, three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated the existence of a relationship between the tumor and its feeding vessels. The diagnosis was made after a histopathological study of the tumor. Adequate collateral circulation should be confirmed both before and during surgery if the lesion occurs within an artery. Angioleiomyoma should therefore be included in the differential diagnosis of painful vascular tumors with no neurological findings in the hand.

We report on a convenient intraoperative distraction technique, called the modified Dynamic Wire-framed Traction (mDWT) method, that assists in fracture reduction and/or is used as an external fixator in patients with unstable distal radius fractures and in other hand and forearm fractures. The mDWT device is easily assembled with wires at the time of surgery, and its configuration produces sufficient longitudinal distraction force that makes reduction easier and facilitates additional fixation procedures. Furthermore, the device can be converted into a simple unilateral external fixator that can be retained postoperatively. Our experience with 13 patients shows that the mDWT method is easy to apply and is a cost-effective technique when used as an intraoperative distraction device or as an external fixator.