Thrombosed Persistent Median Artery with Coexisting Bifid Median Nerve in a Robotic Arthroplasty Surgeon: A Case Report

JBJS Case Connect. 2024 Apr 18;14(2). doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.24.00071. eCollection 2024 Apr 1.

Abstract

Case: A 47-year-old orthopaedic surgeon presented with acute volar left wrist pain. He performed over 250 robot-assisted knee arthroplasties each year. Color Doppler evaluation revealed bilateral persistent median arteries and bifid median nerves, with focal occlusive thrombosis of the left median artery. He was advised rest and oral aspirin. He could return to his professional activities after 1 month. He had no recurrence of symptoms at 1 year of follow-up.

Conclusion: Orthopaedic surgeons use vibrating hand tools on a daily basis. The possibility of hand-arm vibration syndrome must be considered in the differential diagnosis of wrist pain among orthopaedic surgeons.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arteries
  • Arthralgia / surgery
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee* / adverse effects
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Median Nerve / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Robotic Surgical Procedures*
  • Robotics*
  • Surgeons*
  • Thrombosis* / complications
  • Thrombosis* / etiology