Reconstruction of Chronic Foveal TFCC Tears with an Autologous Tendon Graft

Radial Sided Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Tears: A Comprehensive Review

When evaluating the available literature on the diagnosis and management of triangular fibrocartilage complex tears (TFCC), ulnar tears comprise the major focus of TFCC literature. Radial-sided (Class 1D) tears are seldom researched or discussed. The purpose of this study was to review the methods for identifying and treating radial-sided TFCC lesions, by examining the anatomy of the TFCC, the pathology of its radial portion, diagnostic techniques, and both surgical and nonoperative treatments. The avascular nature of the radial TFCC may influence its healing potential. Magnetic resonance arthrogram is the gold standard for non-invasively diagnosing a radial-sided tear. Non-operative management should be exhausted prior to surgical intervention, which commonly involves an inside-out repair involving radial trans-osseous sutures. Still, the literature is limited by patient sample size and therefore requires a greater population of class 1-D tears to confirm optimal diagnostic and treatment methods.

Biomechanical evaluation of interference screw fixation techniques for distal radioulnar ligament reconstruction: a cadaveric experimental study

INTRODUCTION

In the reconstruction of distal radioulnar ligaments (DRULs), interference screws can be used for antegrade or retrograde fixation of grafts to the ulna. However, the biomechanics of interference screw fixation are currently unknown. This study aimed to determine the biomechanical effects of these two fixations on the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) in a cadaveric model and to investigate the appropriate initial tension.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 30 human cadaver upper extremities were used, and the DRULs were reconstructed according to Adams' procedure. First, eight specimens were randomly divided into two groups: antegrade and retrograde, followed by translational testing and load testing. Then, the other eight specimens were divided into the two groups above, and the contact mechanics, including forces, areas, and pressures, were measured. Finally, to investigate the appropriate initial tension, the remaining 14 specimens were fixed with interference screws under different tensions in an antegrade way, and the translational testing was repeated as before.

RESULTS

In the neutral position, antegrade fixation exhibited less translation than retrograde fixation (7.21 ± 0.17 mm versus 10.77 ± 1.68 mm, respectively). The maximum failure load was 70.45 ± 6.20 N in antegrade fixation, while that in retrograde fixation was 35.17 ± 2.95 N (P < 0.0001). Antegrade fixation exhibited a larger increase in contact force than retrograde fixation (99.72% ± 23.88% versus 28.18% ± 10.43%) (P = 0.001). The relationship between tension and displacement was nonlinear (Y = - 1.877 ln(x) + 7.94, R² = 0.868, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with retrograde fixation, the antegrade fixation of interference screws may be a more reliable surgical technique, as it shows a higher failure load and stability. In addition, to avoid the risk of potential arthritis caused by anterograde fixation, we propose an equation to determine the appropriate initial tension in DRUL reconstruction.

Arthroscopic one-tunnel transosseous reconstruction of chronic triangular fibrocartilage complex foveal tears: outcomes in 12 patients

We report the surgical method and outcomes of a simple arthroscopic-assisted technique of repairing triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) foveal injuries in 12 patients with chronic distal radioulnar joint instability. An ulnar transosseous tunnel was created with its distal exit point located 3 to 4 mm radial to the fovea. A tendon graft was cut into two parts, and both were then passed through the bone tunnel to secure the radioulnar ligament remnants back to the fovea in a 'V' shape configuration. At the final follow-up of 13 to 26 months (average 21), all patients had a reduction of wrist pain, with the mean visual analogue scale dropped from 4.6 to 1.6 out of 10. The distal radioulnar joint was completely stable in nine patients and had improved stability in three patients. The mean Mayo modified wrist scores improved from 72 to 89, and the clinical outcomes were excellent in four patients, good in seven and fair in one. No major surgical complications occurred. This simple arthroscopic one-tunnel transosseous approach is effective for chronic foveal tears of the TFCC with intact radioulnar ligament remnants.Level of evidence: IV.

Contrast-enhanced MRI of the wrist: Intravenous application of gadolinium improves diagnosis in ulnar-sided injuries of the TFCC

PURPOSE

Although lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) frequently induce ulnar-sided wrist pain and potentially distal radioulnar joint instability, diagnosis can pose a challenge due to the intricate anatomy. This study aims to evaluate the benefits of contrast-enhanced sequences for the detection of TFCC injuries in magnetic resonance imaging of the wrist.

METHOD

94 patients underwent wrist MRI with intravenous application of gadolinium-based contrast agents. For each patient, two datasets were analysed independently by two board-certified radiologists: One set comprised only plain T1- and fat-saturated proton-density-weighted sequences, while the second dataset included contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images with fat suppression. Arthroscopy or clinical reports served as reference standard with the former being used whenever available. Diagnostic confidence and TFCC component assessability were subjectively evaluated. Contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were calculated serve as an objective indicator of image contrast.

RESULTS

Lesions of the articular disc, the foveal and styloid ulnar attachment were present in 24 (25.5%), 61 (64.9%) and 53 (56.4%) patients. Access to contrast-enhanced T1 images improved the diagnostic accuracy for injuries of the styloid (R1/R2, 0.68/0.73 vs. 0.86/0.88) and foveal attachment (0.68/0.72 vs. 0.90/0.89) substantially compared to plain MRI (all p < 0.001), while no benefits could be identified for lesions of the central disc (0.89/0.90 vs. 0.87/0.90). Readers' diagnostic confidence and CNR for ulnar-sided lesions improved with contrast-enhanced T1 sequences available (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

With superior CNR in lesions of the TFCC's foveal and styloid attachment, contrast-enhanced, fat-saturated T1-weighted sequences facilitate higher diagnostic accuracy and confidence than fat-saturated PD- and plain T1-weighted MRI.

Postoperative Imaging of Ulnar Wrist Pain

Ulnar wrist pain, caused by a broad spectrum of bone and soft tissue injuries, is the most common clinical condition of the wrist. Multiple surgical techniques and their variants in the treatment of these injuries are constantly evolving. Postoperative evaluation of the wrist for many surgeons is limited to serial clinical and radiographic monitoring. However, imaging methods such as ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and arthrographic techniques (arthrographic CT and arthrographic MRI) play a fundamental role in diagnosing and managing postsurgical complications.The several critical aspects in evaluating the postsurgical wrist imaging spectrum are familiarity with the surgical techniques, knowledge of the original clinical problem, understanding the strength and limitations of the different radiologic modalities, and effective communication between surgeon and radiologist.

Anatomical relationship between the morphology of the styloid process of the ulna and the attachment of the radioulnar ligaments

The radioulnar ligaments are the major stabilizers of the distal radioulnar joint under dynamic loading; however, anatomical detail regarding their attachment on the middle and distal thirds of the styloid process of the ulna remains unclear. Because previous anatomical studies included only old cadavers, their anatomical findings might not reflect the morphological features of younger and healthy specimens. This study investigated the anatomical features of the distal ulna, particularly the styloid process, to determine the attachment of the radioulnar ligaments to the styloid process and verified their direction and attachment to the styloid process in younger and healthy donors using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We investigated the morphological features of the distal ulna of 12 cadaveric wrists using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). We also visualized and measured the distribution of the cortical bone thickness. We histologically analyzed three specimens in the axial plane and macroscopically analyzed seven specimens to examine the attachment of the radioulnar ligaments to the styloid process. In addition, we evaluated five wrists from living volunteers using 3.0 Tesla MRI. The distal ulna has a ridge on the dorsoradial aspect of the styloid process that corresponds to the attachment of the radioulnar ligaments. Micro-CT images after data processing revealed that the cortical thickness of the dorsoradial quadrant was thicker than that of the other quadrant at the proximal slice of the styloid process (p < 0.01), and that of the dorsoulnar (p = 0.021) and ulnopalmar (p < 0.01) quadrants at the middle slice. Histological analyses showed that the radioulnar ligaments were attached to the middle and distal thirds of the styloid process via chondral-apophyseal entheses. The direction of the fiber was dorsal in the middle third of the styloid process and changed to palmar in the distal third of the styloid process. The direction and attachment of the radioulnar ligaments on the styloid process were confirmed using MRI for younger and healthy participants. The radioulnar ligaments were attached to the dorsoradial ridge of the styloid process, which was confirmed by cortical bone thickening, histology at the attachment sites, and in vivo MR imaging. The directions of the radioulnar ligaments sterically intersected, which would satisfy both slipping stability and rotational mobility. These anatomical findings may provide the basis for biomechanical consideration of distal radioulnar joint stabilization.

Transulnar Styloid Foveal TFC Reconstruction: With a Palmaris Longus Tendon Graft

We describe an evolution of the senior author's technique in the repair or reconstruction of foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex tears. This technique uses a transulnar styloid approach, which gives superior access to the fovea, without disruption of secondary stabilizers. A free palmaris longus graft is used to stabilize and augment the triangular fibrocartilage complex with an interosseous anchor through an ulnar tunnel.

Indications, techniques, and outcomes of arthroscopic repair of scapholunate ligament and triangular fibrocartilage complex

This review includes updated understanding of the roles of intrinsic and extrinsic carpal ligaments in scapholunate instability and details the author's experience of indications, arthroscopic repair methods, and outcomes of treating the instability. A classification on triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries is reviewed, followed by author's indications, methods, and outcomes of arthroscopic repair of triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries.

Reconstruction of the Popliteomeniscal Fascicles for Treatment of Recurrent Subluxation of the Lateral Meniscus

Recurrent subluxation of the lateral meniscus is characterized by episodes of mechanical locking of the knee joint. To completely preclude the posterior segment of the lateral meniscus from undergoing anterior dislocation during deep knee flexion, the structures to which it is attached need to be relatively taut. The posterosuperior popliteomeniscal fascicle retains its tension during deep knee flexion; therefore, reconstruction of the posterosuperior and anteroinferior popliteomeniscal fascicles was performed with an autograft harvested from the iliotibial band. This technique provides stabilization of the posterior segment of the lateral meniscus during deep knee flexion without interfering with the normal movement of the lateral meniscus throughout the range of motion of the knee joint.

Ulnar-sided wrist pain in the athlete (TFCC/DRUJ/ECU)

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The goal of this manuscript is to review key historic and recent literature regarding extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU), triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) and distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) injuries, particularly in athletes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Many recent studies examining the ECU focus on clinical and radiographic diagnosis. Several physical exam findings are described in addition to the use of MRI and US. Imaging studies must be clinically correlated due to high incidence of findings in asymptomatic patients. In regard to the TFCC/DRUJ, there are numerous recent studies that support the use of MRA as an adjunctive diagnostic study. There are also a number of repair constructs that are described for the various different kinds of TFCC pathology reviewed here. In summary, there are a number of options for the diagnosis and treatment of ulnar-sided wrist pain. Patient factors, especially in the athletic population, must be taken into account when approaching any patient with these pathologies.