The mechanism of ulnar-sided perilunate instability of the wrist: a cadaveric study and 6 clinical cases

Open Dislocation of the Lunate and Triquetrum: A Case Report

The Mayfield sequence of progressive perilunar instability is commonly encountered. A reverse-perilunate sequence has also been described, where forces are transmitted from the ulnar wrist, resulting in progressive disruption of the ulnocarpal and lunotriquetral intervals. A concomitant dislocation of both the lunate and triquetrum together is a rare injury and has not been reproduced in cadaver models nor widely encountered in clinical cases. We report a rare case of an open volar dislocation of the lunate and triquetrum, and outline the management principles and outcomes in our patient. This case highlights that not all perilunar injuries occur in the conventional sequence. Differing paths of force transmission may result in atypical patterns of carpal disruption. Nonetheless, the broad management principles are similar. Achieving carpal reduction and stabilization, soft-tissue coverage, and early rehabilitation results in reasonable patient outcomes.

Reverse or Ulnar-Sided, Greater Arc Perilunate Injury: Case Report and Systematic Review of Literature

BACKGROUND

Perilunate injuries of carpal bones are uncommon, high-energy injuries that necessitate early diagnosis and appropriate management to prevent progressive carpal instability and posttraumatic osteoarthritis. A much more uncommon mechanism that starts from the lunotriquetral ligament and proceeds radially in an opposite direction than the classic mechanism may cause a reverse or ulnar-sided perilunate dislocation (PLD). The purposes were: (1) to present an uncommon case of greater arc reverse (ulnar-sided) perilunate fracture-dislocation (REPLFD); and (2) to conduct a systematic review (SR) to evaluate the current evidence on reverse perilunate injuries (REPLIs).

METHODS

A novel pattern of injury of REPLFD with fractures of the ulnar styloid, triquetrum, and capitate is presented. A SR was conducted with primary outcome measures of the type of injury (pathoanatomy of lesions) and pathomechanics. Secondary outcome measures were choice of surgery and outcome on follow-up.

RESULTS

The Murad's tool and modified Coleman Methodology Score revealed poor methodological quality of the available literature on REPLI. Evidence is lacking in the mechanism of injury and treatment of REPLI, especially regarding REPLFD.

CONCLUSIONS

The SR revealed poor methodological quality of the available literature and exposes that not all PLDs can be explained by the current existing pathomechanical injury classifications. However, following the management principles of perilunate injuries, REPLI tends to have good functional results with no major complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V.

Outcomes Following Surgical Interventions for Isolated Lunotriquetral Interosseous Ligament Injuries: A Systematic Review

Ulnar-sided wrist pain can be attributed to various bony and ligamentous structures. The purpose of this review is to compare outcomes following surgical interventions for isolated lunotriquetral (LT) interosseous ligament injuries in adults. We assessed 202 procedures from 9 retrospective case series studies of low to moderate quality based on the Structured Effectiveness Quality Evaluation Scale. The comparative outcomes (ie, range of motion, pain, strength, quality of life, complications, return to work, and patient satisfaction) were aggregated and categorized under arthrodesis, capsulodesis, ligament repairs and reconstruction, and ulna shortening osteotomy procedures. Although the comparison of outcomes was largely inconclusive due to the heterogeneity and the omission of preoperative characteristic data, we did observe higher complications and reoperation rates post LT arthrodesis. It is recommended that all outcomes be standardized and presented uniformly with best practices developed to better characterize the injury's severity and integrity in future studies.

ANALYSIS OF HITTING METHOD AND WRIST STRENGTH OF STUDENT TENNIS PLAYERS

ABSTRACT Introduction: Wrist joint strength is important in tennis for angle control and racquet direction. Objective: Study the changes in muscle strength in the wrist region and the characteristics of joint movement under different tennis stroke styles. Methods: 50 students from a professional tennis club team at a university were selected as study subjects, and systematic professional wrist strength training was performed in the experimental group. In contrast, routine training was performed in the control class. The experimental training lasted for six weeks. During this period, the learning time of all groups remained the same, and no additional training or learning was added. Results: The experimental group's stability increased significantly, from 1.78 ± 0.67 to 2.25 ± 1.34 before training, and backstroke strength increased significantly, from 6.21 to 10.21; total stroke score also increased from 8.02 to 12.69. Conclusion: Improving wrist strength in tennis students may improve overall sports performance. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

Reverse Perilunate Injuries-The "Extended Scaphoid" Sign

Background  Reverse perilunate injuries (REPLI) are rare variants of the classic radial-sided perilunate injuries (PLI) whose mechanism was described by Mayfield in 1980. Classic radial-sided nontranscaphoid dorsal PLI invariably display a flexed, foreshortened position of the scaphoid on their initial posteroanterior (PA) and lateral radiographs. We observed that some dorsal perilunate dislocations displayed an extended position of the scaphoid on their initial radiographs. Our hypothesis is that this extended position of the scaphoid was associated with a REPLI pattern. Methods  The PA and lateral initial emergency radiographs of our specialized wrist surgery series of 114 dorsal pure ligamentous PLI (within a 186 cases series of PLI treated between 2004 and 2020) were reviewed as well as the available figures of the current REPLI literature. Results  A total of seven cases of cases within our dorsal PLI series displayed an extended position of the scaphoid on their initial PA and lateral radiographs, while 107 cases displayed a flexed, foreshortened position. The PA and lateral radiographs available in the REPLI literature displayed an extended position of the scaphoid, a lunotriquetral dissociation, and a dorsal dislocation of the capitate with respect to the lunate. Discussion  This study confirms our hypothesis. By contrast to the dorsal classic radial-sided pure ligamentous PLI pattern of scaphoid displacement (scaphoid flexed and foreshortened with scapholunate gap), the dorsal REPLI pattern displays an extended position of the scaphoid with scapholunate step-off and overlap rather than a gap. The combination of a lunotriquetral dissociation with a dorsal dislocation of the capitate from the lunate yet an extended position of the scaphoid with almost normal radioscaphoid relationships should raise a high suspicion for REPLI.

Revolutions in arthroscopic wrist surgeries

Recent technical and technological developments in wrist arthroscopic surgery allow for advanced treatments of difficult wrist disorders. In this review, world leaders of wrist arthroscopy describe bone graft for scaphoid nonunion, transosseous repair for triangular fibrocartilage fovea avulsion, palmaris longus reconstruction of the triangular fibrocartilage, and arthroscopic reconstruction of the scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligaments.

Carpal Instability: I. Pathoanatomy

The pathoanatomy of carpal instability is multifactorial and usually complex. A thorough medical history and clinical examination are essential, as well as profound knowledge of the specific instability patterns. The stability of the wrist is ensured by the carpal joint surfaces, by intact intra-articular (particularly the scapholunate interosseous ligament) and intracapsular ligaments, and by crossing extensor and flexor tendons, the latter making the proximal carpal row an "intercalated segment." An important classification feature is the distinction between dissociative and nondissociative forms of carpal instability. Among others, scapholunate dissociation, lunotriquetral dissociation, midcarpal instability, and ulnar translocation are the most common entities. Early forms of instability are considered dynamic. In the natural course, static instability of the wrist and osteoarthritis will develop. This review focuses on the pathoanatomical fundamentals of the various forms of carpal instability.

Arthroscopic Assisted Reconstruction of LT-Ligament: A Description of a New Technique

Background  Injuries of the lunotrirquetral ligament (LT lig) could be part of an extensive carpal injury and are then often treated at the time of the injury. However, when an injury of the LT ligament occurs alone, the injury is often missed. Treatment of this injury has traditionally been by open surgery, such as reattachment of the LT ligament, ligament reconstruction, or arthrodesis of the LT joint. These procedures needed a large exposure to the carpus running the risk of damaging the external ligaments, the nerves important for proprioception, and the capsule with the potential of scarring and adhesions. Materials and Methods  We describe a novel arthroscopic assisted technique for reconstruction of the LT ligament. Using this less invasive technique, there is a possible advantage of lesser scarring and faster mobilization. Results  We have performed this technique in two patients with more than 30 months follow-up. They both have great improvement of the functional scores. Conclusion  The novel arthroscopic assisted technique for LT lig reconstruction is a technically demanding procedure; however, this obtains good clinical results with more than 30 months follow-up due to less exposure of the carpus. Level of Evidence  This is a Level IV, case series study.

Fivefold Fracture in a Perilunate Fracture Dislocation Involving Scaphoid, Capitate, Hamate, Triquetrum and Lunate: A Case Report

This case report presents a very rare fracture combination in a perilunate dislocation including the scaphoid, capitate, hamate and triquetrum and the cornu anterior of the lunate, with an intact scapholunate ligament in a left wrist. An open reduction and internal fixation of the scaphoid, capitate, hamate and triquetrum was performed.

Reduction and Association of the Lunotriquetral Ligament for Reverse Perilunate Dislocation

Background  Reverse perilunate injuries are rare. Contrary to perilunate injuries, the violent force would start from the lunotriquetral ligament, go reversely toward the radial side, and cause the reverse or ulnar-sided perilunate dislocation. Case Description  We describe a 31-year-old man with a reverse perilunate dislocation, who presented to our institution 3 weeks after a motorcycle accident. The patient was successfully treated with the reduction and association of the lunate and triquetrum (RALT) procedure by using closed maneuver and percutaneous headless compression screw fixation. The patient can obtain a good radiographic result and satisfactory function at the 30-month follow-up. Literature Review  Many case series were reported concerning the perilunate injuries. However, few cases of reverse perilunate dislocation have been reported in the literature. No cases of reverse perilunate dislocation treated 3 weeks after the injury with the RALT procedure have been reported. Clinical Relevance  In this case, we found that the dislocation could still be reduced with the closed maneuver. With the RALT procedure, the carpal alignment can be maintained and the stability can be regained. Also, the functional outcomes are good.

Scapholunate and perilunate injuries in the athlete

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Scapholunate and perilunate injuries can be difficult to diagnose and treat in the athlete. In this review article, we present the mechanism of injury, evaluation, management, and outcomes of treatment for these injuries.

RECENT FINDINGS

Acute repair of dynamic scapholunate ligament injuries remains the gold standard, but judicious use of a wrist splint can be considered for the elite athlete who is in season. The treatment of static scapholunate ligament injury remains controversial. Newer SL reconstructive techniques that aim to restore scapholunate function without compromising wrist mobility as much as tenodesis procedures show promise in athlete patients. Acute injuries to the scapholunate ligament are best treated aggressively in order to prevent the sequelae of wrist arthritis associated with long-standing ligamentous injury. Acute repair is favored. Reconstructive surgical procedures to manage chronic scapholunate injury remain inferior to acute repair. The treatment of lunotriquetral ligament injuries is not well defined.

Isolated or predominant capitolunate osteoarthritis is the consequence of lunotriquetral dissociation. X-ray analysis of 22 consecutive cases

Secondary osteoarthritis due to a scapholunate malalignment is well known, but is debatable in cases of lunotriquetral malalignment. It has been shown that lunotriquetral malalignment can lead to midcarpal osteoarthritis. The hypothesis of this retrospective study was that a relationship exists between the presence of midcarpal osteoarthritis and the presence of lunotriquetral malalignment. All patients with midcarpal osteoarthritis, isolated or predominant, treated between 1981 and 2013 were reviewed. Intracarpal angles were measured and the relative position of the carpal bones was analyzed by two examiners. Osteoarthritis of the wrist's joints was quantified in three stages. Diagnosis of static dissociative ligament lesion was made and correlated with the location of osteoarthritis. Twenty-two wrists in 20 patients (13 men and 7 women; mean age of 59 years) were included. The lunocapitate osteoarthritis was moderate in 6 cases and severe in 16 cases. The radioscaphoid osteoarthritis was moderate in 5 cases and severe in 1 case. Lunotriquetral malalignment was present in all cases; it was isolated in 8 cases and associated with scapholunate malalignment in 14 cases. In isolated lunotriquetral malalignment cases, midcarpal osteoarthritis was isolated or associated with degenerative lesions of lunotriquetral interval. Cases of perilunate instability in which the osteoarthritis is more severe in the midcarpal joint than in the radioscaphoid joint likely resulted from an injurying mechanism with ulnar beginning (ulnar-sided perilunate instability).

Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Lunotriquetral Ligament Injuries

Isolated acute lunotriquetral (LT) injuries are an uncommon diagnosis in hand surgery. Diagnosis is aided by a high index of suspicion when pain is localized over the LT joint. Standard radiographs show typically normal findings, leading to advanced diagnostic investigations, including MRI and wrist arthroscopy. Standard treatment options for acute LT injuries include immobilization, arthroscopy, and direct open LT repair.

Carpal Ligament Injuries, Pathomechanics, and Classification

Carpal instability is a complex array of maladaptive and posttraumatic conditions that lead to the inability of the wrist to maintain anatomic relationships under normal loads. Many different classification schemes have evolved to explain the mechanistic evolution and pathophysiology of carpal instability, including 2 of the most common malalignment patterns: volar intercalated segment instability and the more common dorsal intercalated segment instability. Recent classifications emphasize the relationships within and between the rows of carpal bones. Future research is likely to unify the disparate paradigms used to describe wrist instability.

Carpal instability of the wrist

The scaphoid is stabilized by the scapholunate ligament (directly) and lunotriquetral ligament (indirectly). Disruption of either of these ligaments leads to a pattern of instability that, left untreated, leads to altered mechanics of the wrist and ultimately debilitating arthritis and collapse. Although arthroscopy remains the gold standard for diagnosis of these injuries, plain films and advanced imaging are useful adjuncts. In the acute setting, conservative treatment may be attempted, but recalcitrant cases require surgical stabilization. Salvage procedures are also available for those patients who fail initial stabilization or present with late degeneration.

Perilunate Injuries, Not Dislocated (PLIND)

Purpose We reviewed a series of equivalents of perilunate dislocations and fracture-dislocations (PLDs-PLFDs) in which there was no dislocation of the capitate from the lunate on the initial radiographs. We propose to include these injuries as a variant of perilunate dislocations that we have termed a perilunate injury, not dislocated (PLIND) lesion in a modified classification of perilunate injuries. Methods A review of the records of all acute perilunate injuries and displaced carpal fractures was done in a single-center university hospital wrist surgery unit over a 5-year period. All cases presenting at the acute stage with displaced fractures of scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, or capitate along with scapholunate and/or lunotriquetral dissociation but no dislocation of the capitate from the lunate in the sagittal or coronal plane were reviewed and considered as PLIND lesions. Results We identified 11 patients with PLIND lesions. Three cases with clinical and radiological follow-up are presented. Discussion Equivalents of PLDs-PLFDs presenting without dislocation of the capitate from the lunate do exist. These injuries may be overlooked despite their severity. They require both osseous and ligamentous repair. Including them into an existing perilunate injuries classification highlights their recognition and enables a better understanding and treatment of both acute and chronic nondislocated perilunate injuries. Level of Evidence Level IV, retrospective case series.

Isolated lunotriquetral ligament tears treated with ulnar shortening osteotomy

PURPOSE

To evaluate outcomes in a single-surgeon series of ulnar shortening osteotomy for the treatment of traumatic isolated tears to the lunotriquetral interosseous ligament (LTIL).

METHODS

This study includes 53 consecutive cases of posttraumatic isolated LTIL tears treated with ulnar shortening osteotomy with minimum 1-year follow-up (range, 1.0-10.6 y). We confirmed all LTIL tears via arthroscopy before performing a precision 2.5-mm oblique osteotomy using a modified Rayhack technique. We assessed outcomes using grip strength measurements and Chun and Palmer's modified Gartland Werley wrist scoring system, which includes subjective and objective outcome measures.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, 45 cases were graded as fair (28%; n = 15) or poor (57%; n = 30) on the modified Gartland Werley score. There were insufficient data to calculate grades in 8 cases (15%). At final follow-up, most patients exhibited excellent (51%; n = 27) or good (32%; n = 17) scores, some scored fair (17%; n = 9), and none scored as poor. All subjective and objective variables significantly improved over a mean follow-up of 36 months (range, 12-127 mo). Mean grip strength increased from a value of 23 kg before surgery to 33 kg over the same period, a 41% increase. All patients achieved clinical and radiographic union by 10 months. Osteotomy plates were removed routinely in most cases (89%; n = 47) at a mean of 17 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Ulnar shortening osteotomy reduced symptoms of posttraumatic isolated LTIL tears in this single-surgeon series.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic IV.