Surgical approaches to the distal radioulnar joint

Styloid Ulna Window Approach for Repair of Avulsed Foveal Attachment of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex

PURPOSE

To describe a surgical approach for open repair of the triangular fibrocartilage complex foveal avulsion via ulnar styloid osteotomy, and to assess its clinical results.

METHODS

We reviewed 12 patients with distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability due to isolated foveal avulsion of DRUJ ligaments. Wrist arthroscopy was conducted for all patients to exclude the presence of concomitant tear of the superficial part of the triangular fibrocartilage complex and to corroborate the diagnosis with a positive hook test. Through an ulnar approach between flexor and extensor carpi ulnaris, an ulnar styloid osteotomy was performed under image intensifier control just ulnar to the fovea of the head of the ulna. The avulsed foveal attachment was anchored through transosseous sutures passing from the fovea to the neck of the ulna. The ulnar styloid was fixed by means of screws or tension band wires. Outcome measures included clinical assessment of pain (visual analog scale), grip strength, DRUJ instability, range of motion of the wrist, and modified Mayo wrist score. Radiographic assessment was done to determine union of the ulnar styloid osteotomy, DRUJ subluxation, and any hardware-related problems.

RESULTS

Outcome measures were evaluated after a mean follow-up of 21 months. Healing of the osteotomy was obtained in all cases by 11 weeks. The DRUJ laxity, visual analog scale, and modified Mayo wrist score improved, while grip strength and range of motion remained unchanged. One patient had prominent hardware necessitating removal after union of the osteotomy. There were no reported cases of injury or neuropraxia of the dorsal cutaneous branch of the ulnar nerve.

CONCLUSIONS

Open repair of an avulsed foveal attachment of the triangular fibrocartilage complex using an ulnar styloid osteotomy is an alternative to either open or arthroscopic repair approaches.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic IV.

Outcomes of 3-D corrective osteotomies for paediatric malunited both-bone forearm fractures

Closed treatment of paediatric diaphyseal forearm fractures carries the risk of re-displacement, which can lead to symptomatic malunions. This is because growth will not correct angulation deformity as it does in metaphyseal fractures. The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate the outcomes after 3-D-planned corrective osteotomy with patient-specific surgical guides for paediatric malunited forearm fractures causing impaired pro-supination. Our primary outcome measure was the gain in pro-supination at 12 months follow-up. Fifteen patients with a mean age at trauma of 9.6 years and time until osteotomy of 5.9 years were included. Preoperatively, patients displayed a mean pro-supination of 67° corresponding to 44% of the contralateral forearm. At final follow-up, this improved to 128°, achieving 85% of the contralateral side. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that predictors of greater functional gain after 3-D corrective osteotomy are severe preoperative impairment in pro-supination, shorter interval until 3-D corrective osteotomy and greater angulation of the radius.Level of evidence: III.

Delayed Presentation of Unstable Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Tears Treated with Volar Foveal Ligament Repair

Hypothesis  An open volar surgical approach with suture anchor repair of the foveal ligament and temporary pinning of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) is an effective way to treat DRUJ instability associated with chronic foveal tears of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). Methods  We retrospectively reviewed nine patients with foveal ligament tears of the TFCC and DRUJ instability who underwent open repair of the TFCC using a volar surgical approach, combined with temporary pinning of the DRUJ for 8 weeks. Pain, instability, arc of motion, and functional outcomes scores were evaluated. Results  Mean patient age was 40.5 years (range 16.3-56.2). Average time from injury to surgery was 8.4 months (range 2.9-23.3 months). Average final follow-up was 18.9 months from injury (range 12.0-29.3 months), 10.5 months from surgery (range 3.9-18.6 months), and 8.7 months from pin removal (range 1.7-17.2 months). At final follow-up, all patients demonstrated clinically stable DRUJ. Pain scores diminished significantly from pre to final postoperative visits, with averages of 6.8 (range 4.0-9.0) improving to a mean of 0.70 (range 0.0-2.0), respectively. Average postoperative forearm rotation was 71.1 degrees in supination and 76.1 degrees in pronation (average total arc of motion 147.2 degrees, range 90-160 degrees). Average postoperative wrist motion was 68.8 degrees in flexion and 70.6 degrees in extension (average total arc of motion 139.4 degrees, range 110-160 degrees). No patients developed crepitus, recurrent DRUJ instability, or required revision surgery (subsequent to pin removal). Conclusion  Volar suture anchor repair of the foveal ligament of the TFCC with DRUJ pinning led to reliable outcomes within this patient group including a stable DRUJ with improved functional outcomes regarding pain, stability, and range of motion in patients with foveal TFCC tears and associated DRUJ instability. These results compare favorably with dorsal repair of the foveal ligament. Level of Incidence  This is a Level IV, therapeutic study.

TFCC Lesions in Children and Adolescents: Open Treatment

BACKGROUND

There has been little discussion regarding the lesion of the TFCC in pediatric and adolescent patients. This study examines 11 cases treated with open technique.

METHODS

Range of motion (ROM), strength and functional scores (QUICK DASH, PWRE, VAS pain, and NAKAMURA score) were evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean postoperative flexion-extension arc was 95% of the contralateral side, the radio-ulnar deviation 91% of the contralateral side and the pronation-supination arc 94% of the unaffected side. Grip strength was 85.6% of the uninjured wrist, pinch was 88%. The mean PRWE decreased from 84.4 to 9.85 postoperatively. The mean Q-DASH scored 10.4. The VAS pain under stress decreased from a mean of 6.8 to a mean of 2.27, while at rest it decreased from a mean of 5 to a mean of 0.5. The final clinical results obtained by Nakamura score were 2 excellent, 6 good and 3 fair.

CONCLUSIONS

This study emphasizes that open surgical TFCC repair is a safe and reliable therapeutic procedure in children and adolescent populations.

Two cases of distal ulna giant cell tumors treated by extensive resection, prosthetic reconstruction and stabilization using the brachioradialis tendon

Aggressive giant cell tumors are rare at the distal ulna. We report the results of two patients who were treated surgically using a distal ulna prosthesis stabilized by ligament reconstruction with the brachioradialis tendon. At the maximum follow-up of 18months, the two patients were satisfied. Joint range of motion and functional scores were improved. X-rays showed no recurrence or subluxation; however gradual impingement of the ulnar notch of radius by the prosthesis was visible. Our technique seems to be a viable alternative when compared with the treatments described in other published case reports.

Rehabilitation of distal radioulnar joint instability

Distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instabilities are common and often combined with other injuries of the interosseous membrane and/or the proximal radioulnar joint. Once they are diagnosed and the treatment is chosen, physiotherapists have limited choices due to the lack of validated protocols. The benefits of proprioception and neuromuscular rehabilitation have been brought to light for the shoulder, knee and ankle joints, among others. However, no program has been described for the DRUJ. The purpose of this article is to study the muscular elements responsible for active DRUJ stability, and to propose a proprioceptive rehabilitation program suited to this condition.

Biomechanical Comparison of Open and Arthroscopic Transosseous Repair of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Foveal Tears: A Cadaveric Study

PURPOSE

To biomechanically compare the stability between open repair and arthroscopic transosseous repair technique for reattachment of the foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). We also evaluated the feasibility of a new aiming device for the creation of 2 bone tunnels simultaneously during the arthroscopic technique.

METHODS

Six matched pairs of fresh-frozen forearm cadaver specimens were prepared for testing. Group I specimens were treated by open repair with suture anchor. Group II specimens were treated by arthroscopic transosseous suture with a new aiming device. Before and after disruption of the TFCC fovea and after its repair, dorsal and palmar translation of the ulna was measured in both groups in response to a load (3 kg) applied in the palmar and then in the dorsal direction. The total translation of the ulna was calculated as the sum of the mean dorsal and palmar translations.

RESULTS

The mean total ulnar translation before and after TFCC disruption, and after TFCC repair was 5.94 ± 2.16 mm, 9.08 ± 2.64 mm, and 6.04 ± 2.18 mm, respectively. The specimens demonstrated a significant increase in the total translation of the ulna after disruption of the ulnar attachment of TFCC (P = .003), whereas a significant decrease was observed after TFCC foveal repair (P = .003). The median percentage of eliminated translation after TFCC repair was 64% and 172%, respectively, in groups I and II (P = .043).

CONCLUSIONS

The athroscopic transosseous suture technique demonstrated superior repair efficacy to the open repair technique in terms of biomechanical strength. This cadaveric study also demonstrated the feasibility of a new aiming device.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

When making decisions about TFCC foveal repair, arthroscopic transosseous suture technique may provide better biomechanical strength than the open repair technique.

Open repair of the triangular fibrocartilage complex from palmar aspect

Background Although foveal tears of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) can be surgically reattached to the fovea via a dorsal approach, the foveal lesion is difficult to visualize from the dorsal side because the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) sheath floor and the superficial dorsal limb of the radioulnar ligament hinders the view of the fovea. Materials and Methods Twenty-one patients with foveal tears were treated by an open repair method from the palmar aspect. Pain, instability, motion, and grip strength were evaluated after a mean follow-up period of 26 months, and each patient was rated according to the Mayo Modified Wrist Score (MMWS). Description of Technique A 4-cm skin incision is made on the palmar aspect of the ulnar fovea. The ulnar fovea is exposed through a transverse capsulotomy of the distal radioulnar joint. The distal aspect of the TFCC is also exposed between the ECU tendon sheath and the ulnotriquetral ligament. After curettage of the scar tissue in the fovea, the deep palmar and dorsal limbs of the TFCC are sutured back to the fovea using a suture anchor technique. Results Foveal TFCC tears could be repaired via a palmar surgical approach without violating the floor of the ECU tendon sheath and the superficial dorsal limb. Excellent results were achieved in 18 patients, and a good result was achieved in three. Conclusions Our result compared favorably with those reported for dorsal approach. The palmar surgical approach facilitates the inspection and repair of the TFCC foveal tears. Level of Evidence IV.

Comparison between open and arthroscopic-assisted foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex repair for post-traumatic distal radio-ulnar joint instability

The aim of this study was to assess the objective and subjective functional outcomes after foveal reattachment of proximal or complete ulnar-sided triangular fibrocartilage complex lesions by two surgical procedures: an open technique or an arthroscopically assisted repair. The study was done prospectively on 49 wrists affected by post-traumatic distal radio-ulnar joint instability. Twenty-four patients were treated with the open technique (Group 1) and 25 by the arthroscopically assisted technique (Group 2). Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a clear foveal detachment of the triangular fibrocartilage complex in 67% of the cases. Arthroscopy showed a positive ulnar-sided detachment of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (positive hook test) in all cases. Distal radio-ulnar joint stability was obtained in all but five patients at a mean follow-up of 6 months. Both groups had improvement of all parameters with significant differences in wrist pain scores, Mayo wrist score, Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire and Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation questionnaire scores. There were no significant post-operative differences between the two groups in the outcome parameters except for the Disability of the Arm Shoulder and Hand questionnaire score, which was significantly better in Group 2 (p < 0.001).

Palmar reconstruction of the triangular fibrocartilage complex for static instability of the distal radioulnar joint

This study describes a new technique that can be used for reconstructing the triangular fibrocartilage complex to correct the static palmar radius instability of the distal radioulnar joint. In the abovementioned condition, the radius is extremely unstable with respect to the ulna and dislocates palmarly in the resting position. Using a palmar approach, a palmaris longus tendon graft was sutured to the remnant of the disrupted palmar radioulnar and ulnocarpal ligaments and then anchored to the bone tunnel that was created at the ulnar fovea. This technique predominantly reinforces the palmar structure of triangular fibrocartilage complex because the palmar radioulnar ligament is the most critical stabilizer of palmar radius instability.

The fixation of a collagen type I/III membrane in the distal radioulnar joint of a human cadaver model

Damage to the cartilage of the distal radioulnar joint frequently leads to pain and limitation of movement, therefore repair of this joint cartilage would be highly desirable. The purpose of this study was to investigate the fixation of scaffold in cartilage defects of this joint as part of matrix-assisted regenerative autologous cartilage techniques. Two techniques of fixation of collagen scaffolds, one involving fibrin glue alone and one with fibrin glue and sutures, were compared in artificially created cartilage defects of the distal radioulnar joint in a human cadaver. After being subjected to continuous passive rotation, the methods of fixation were evaluated for cover of the defect and pull out force. No statistically significant differences were found between the two techniques for either cover of the defect or integrity of the scaffold. However, a significantly increased mean pull out force was found for the combined procedure, 0.665 N (0.150 to 1.160) versus 0.242 N (0.060 to 0.730) for glue fixation (p = 0.001). This suggests that although successful fixation of a collagen type I/III scaffold in a distal radioulnar joint cartilage defect is feasible with both forms of fixation, fixation with glue and sutures is preferable.

Preliminary experience with a new total distal radioulnar joint replacement

This study reports the intermediate-term results of four patients from a series eight patients who have had an insertion of a new complete distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) prosthesis. A retrospective review was performed for all patients who underwent DRUJ joint replacement with the STABILITY Sigmoid Notch Total DRUJ System between the years of 2003 and 2008. To be included in this report, all patients had to have more than 24 months of follow-up and hand examination by the senior author. From the eight patients with this procedure, four patients met the inclusion criteria. These included one patient with painful posttraumatic arthritis, two patients with failed hemiarthroplasty, and one patient with a failed Sauvé-Kapandji procedure. Mean age at the time of surgery was 42.5 years (range: 35 to 51 years) and mean follow-up was 46 months (range: 36 to 66 months). Preoperative and postoperative assessment included range of motion, grip strength, visual analog pain scale, patient satisfaction, and radiographic evaluation. There was a successful replacement of the DRUJ in all four patients. Final range of motion showed mean pronation of 80 degrees (range: 60 to 90 degrees) and mean supination of 64 degrees (range: 45 to 90 degrees). Final grip strength on the operated extremity was 25.5 kg and averaged 73% of contralateral side. This was an improvement from preoperative grip strength of 14.5 kg visual analog pain scale decreased from 8 to 2.5 following surgery (scale: 1 to 10). Patient satisfaction was 100%. One patient returned to manual labor, one patient returned to office work, and two patients remained off work. Postoperative radiographs depict appropriate alignment of the DRUJ, and there have been no cases of subluxation or dislocation. Implant survival has been 100%. Total DRUJ joint replacement with sigmoid notch resurfacing and distal ulna replacement is an alternative to ulnar head resection in cases of DRUJ arthritis. Total DRUJ arthroplasty with this resurfacing design may provide a means of decreasing pain and restoring DRUJ stability and motion following severe trauma, failed hemiarthroplasty, or failed Sauvé-Kapandji procedure. More experience is needed with this implant to confirm these initial encouraging results. The level of evidence for this study is IV (therapeutic, case series).

Wide-Awake Wrist Arthroscopy and Open TFCC Repair

The wide-awake approach to hand surgery entails the use of local infiltration anesthesia using lidocaine with epinephrine and no tourniquet. The technique provides practitioners with an option to perform advanced hand surgical care in an ambulatory setting, without the need for general or regional anesthetics. We present our results using wide-awake approach in wrist surgery, both open and arthroscopic. Between June and August 2011, the wide-awake approach was used in nine elective wrist surgery cases; three arthroscopic procedures, four open triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) repairs, and two combined arthroscopy/open surgery (eight men/one woman). The arthroscopic patients were anesthetized using dorsal infiltration of lidocaine with epinephrine (20 mL) with an additional intra-articular 5 mL injection 30 minutes before surgery. The open surgery patients received 40 mL of lidocaine with epinephrine around the ulnar aspect of the forearm, from 8-cm proximal to 3-cm distal to the distal radioulnar joint. Standard diagnostic radio- and midcarpal arthroscopies were performed, where one patient had a loose body removed and two patients underwent TFCC debridements due to central TFCC tears. The six open cases were all due to TFCC foveal disruptions, which were reinserted using osteosutures in the distal ulna. Following placement of the ligament sutures, a preliminary knot allowed active and passive motion testing of pronosupination, to determine the adequate amount of tension in the ligaments. The wide-awake approach to wrist surgery is a plausible and reliable technique that eliminates the need for general anesthesia, removes the need of a tourniquet, and provides a cost-efficient and safe approach to wrist surgery. The ability to control ligament reconstructions using active motion may additionally enhance the rehabilitation of these patients, both through early proprioceptive awareness and adequate tensioning of soft tissues.

Distal radioulnar joint injuries

Distal radioulnar joint is a trochoid joint relatively new in evolution. Along with proximal radioulnar joint, forearm bones and interosseous membrane, it allows pronosupination and load transmission across the wrist. Injuries around distal radioulnar joint are not uncommon, and are usually associated with distal radius fractures,fractures of the ulnar styloid and with the eponymous Galeazzi or Essex_Lopresti fractures. The injury can be purely involving the soft tissue especially the triangular fibrocartilage or the radioulnar ligaments. The patients usually present with ulnar sided wrist pain, features of instability, or restriction of rotation. Difficulty in carrying loads in the hand is a major constraint for these patients. Thorough clinical examination to localize point of tenderness and appropriate provocative tests help in diagnosis. Radiology and MRI are extremely useful, while arthroscopy is the gold standard for evaluation. The treatment protocols are continuously evolving and range from conservative, arthroscopic to open surgical methods. Isolated dislocation are uncommon. Basal fractures of the ulnar styloid tend to make the joint unstable and may require operative intervention. Chronic instability requires reconstruction of the stabilizing ligaments to avoid onset of arthritis. Prosthetic replacement in arthritis is gaining acceptance in the management of arthritis.