Chen RE, Calfee RP, Stepan JG, Osei DA. Outcomes of Acute Versus Subacute Scapholunate Ligament Repair.
JOURNAL OF HAND SURGERY GLOBAL ONLINE 2022;
4:103-110. [PMID:
35434576 PMCID:
PMC9005375 DOI:
10.1016/j.jhsg.2021.10.007]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigated the long-term outcomes of direct scapholunate ligament (SLL) repairs with or without dorsal capsulodesis performed within 6 weeks (acute repair) of a SLL tear versus 6 to 12 weeks following injury (subacute repair).
Methods
A review of medical records from April 1996 to April 2012 identified 24 patients who underwent SLL repair (12 acute, 12 subacute). Patients returned to the clinic for radiographic examinations of the injured wrist, standardized physical examinations, and validated questionnaires.
Results
The mean follow-up times for the acute and subacute groups were 7.2 and 6.2 years, respectively. At the final examination, patients with acute surgery regained more wrist extension (acute = 55°, subacute = 47°). The total wrist flexion-extension arcs, grip strengths, pinch strengths, and patient-rated outcome scores were found to be similar between groups. The final scapholunate gap, scapholunate angle, and the prevalence of arthritis were also found to be similar between the acute and subacute groups.
Conclusions
Although SLL repair is more commonly recommended for treatment of acute SLL injuries, there were no significant long-term differences between acute and subacute SLL surgeries (repair ± capsulodesis).
Type of study/level of evidence
Prognostic III.
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