Advances in the Repair of Palmer type IB TFCC Injuries With Wrist Arthroscopy

The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is essential for maintaining wrist stability. Injury-caused pain is the primary cause of ulnar wrist pain. The TFCC injury refractory to conservative treatment requires further surgical treatment, and because Palmer type IB tears belong to peripheral injuries due to their proximity to the blood supply area, arthroscopic suture repair has become the preferred surgical method for TFCC injury repair, exhibiting strong healing ability. This study reviewed the anatomy of TFCC, injury classification, and advances in arthroscopic suturing for treating Palmer type IB.

Distal radioulnar joint instability: Diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic lesions

Distal radioulnar joint instability is a common clinical condition that can be either acute or chronic. Its management requires extensive knowledge of all the anatomical structures around the wrist area. The clinical examination must identify all damaged structures in order to define a customized reconstruction strategy. The aim of treatment is to prevent the development of chronic instability and/or arthritic lesions, which can only be treated with palliative surgery. Distal radioulnar instability is complex. Its management shares similarities with that of knee instability, with a wide range of conditions ranging from a sprain with isolated ligament tear to complex dislocation in which multiple ligaments are torn. In particular, the triangular fibrocartilage complex, which is a pillar of distal radioulnar joint stability, is not the sole stabilizer of this joint. The treatment strategy is not as simple as just reattaching this ligament to treat all of the acute and chronic clinical signs. The goal of the present study is to describe the various structures and possible lesions in this joint and then how to repair them. The diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties justify treatment at a specialized center.

Postoperative immobilization using a short-arm cast in the semisupination position is appropriate after arthroscopic triangular fibrocartilage complex foveal repair

AIMS

The aim of this study was to assess and compare active rotation of the forearm in normal subjects after the application of a short-arm cast (SAC) in the semisupination position and a long-arm cast (LAC) in the neutral position. A clinical study was also conducted to compare the functional outcomes of using a SAC in the semisupination position with those of using a LAC in the neutral position in patients who underwent arthroscopic triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) foveal repair.

METHODS

A total of 40 healthy right-handed volunteers were recruited. Active pronation and supination of the forearm were measured in each subject using a goniometer. In the retrospective clinical study, 40 patients who underwent arthroscopic foveal repair were included. The wrist was immobilized postoperatively using a SAC in the semisupination position (approximately 45°) in 16 patients and a LAC in 24. Clinical outcomes were assessed using grip strength and patient-reported outcomes. The degree of disability caused by cast immobilization was also evaluated when the cast was removed.

RESULTS

Supination was significantly more restricted with LACs than with SACs in the semisupination position in male and female patients (p < 0.001 for both). However, pronation was significantly more restricted with SACs in the semisupination position than with LACs in female patients (p = 0.003) and was not significantly different in male patients (p = 0.090). In the clinical study, both groups showed improvement in all parameters with significant differences in grip strength, visual analogue scale scores for pain, modified Mayo Wrist Score, the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, and the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score. No significant postoperative differences were noted between LACs and SACs in the semisupination position. However, the disability caused by immobilization in a cast was significantly higher in patients who had a LAC on the dominant hand (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We found that a SAC in the semisupination position is as effective as a LAC in restricting pronation of the forearm. In addition, postoperative immobilization with a SAC in the semisupination position resulted in comparable pain scores and functional outcomes to immobilization with a LAC after TFCC foveal repair, with less restriction of daily activities. Therefore, we recommend that surgeons consider using a SAC in the semisupination position for postoperative immobilization following TFCC foveal repair for dorsal instability of the distal radioulnar joint. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(2):249-256.

Arthroscopic Transosseous Repair of Foveal Tears of the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex: A Systematic Review of Clinical Outcomes

PURPOSE

To determine whether arthroscopic transosseous foveal repair of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) results in significant and clinically relevant improvement in clinical outcomes including pain and function with low complication and reoperation rates.

METHODS

We reviewed studies investigating the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic transosseous foveal repair of the TFCC through MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Studies on TFCC repair performed with an open or capsular technique and combined with other procedures, such as ulnar shortening osteotomy and a wafer procedure, were excluded. Methodologic quality was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies score. Clinical outcomes were assessed using range of motion, grip strength, and patient-reported outcomes. Clinically relevant improvement was determined using the minimal clinically important difference (MCID).

RESULTS

A total of 443 unique studies were identified, of which 7 (131 patients) met the inclusion criteria. The mean age ranged from 27 to 37 years, and the mean follow-up period ranged from 23.5 to 31.1 months. The grip strength (as a percentage) increased after foveal repair of the TFCC in all studies (mean difference range, 11.8% to 22.3%). All studies also reported an improvement in the visual analog scale score (mean difference range, -9.8 to -1.88); Modified Mayo Wrist Score (mean difference range, 10.5 to 27); and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score (mean difference range, -51.8 to -24.48). Considering clinically relevant improvements based on the MCID, 4 of 5 studies reporting the visual analog scale score showed improvements in this score (MCID, 2) and all studies reporting the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score showed improvements in this score (MCID, 10). Most complications recovered without any treatment, and 3 patients (2.29%) needed a reoperation.

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopic transosseous foveal repair of the TFCC resulted in improvements in grip strength and functional outcomes with low complication and reoperation rates. However, the evidence for which technique produces better clinical outcomes remains limited.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, systematic review of Level III and IV studies.

A Systematic Review and Analysis of Palmer Type I Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injuries: Outcomes of Treatment

Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries can present incidentally as an asymptomatic lesion or can cause acute and chronic pain. This study compared different treatment approaches for symptomatic Palmer Type 1 TFCC injuries and rates of improvement using a systematic review of the literature. Two hundred thirty-one articles were identified, 43 met criteria and were included. Two of these articles indicated conservative therapy may be adequate. Patients who underwent debridement for any Type 1 Palmer class returned to work at a rate of 92% ( n = 182), but only 44% ( n = 38) were free of pain. For 1B lesions that underwent repair, 68.3% ( n = 226) were able to return to work and 41% ( n = 52) had persistent pain. 1D lesions were treated with both repair and debridement with similar results. Data for Types 1A and 1C were limited as no authors solely addressed these lesions. For 1A lesions, those treated with traditional treatment of debridement still had high rates of being unable to return to work. The literature remains insufficient, making comparison between studies and techniques difficult. For asymptomatic injuries, there is no need for treatment. For patients with recalcitrant symptoms, surgery improves pain, grip strength, and increases return to work and activity. The level of evidence is IV.

Clinical Outcomes and Factors Influencing These Outcome Measures Resulting in Success After Arthroscopic Transosseous Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Foveal Repair

PURPOSE

To analyze postoperative outcomes after arthroscopic transosseous triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) foveal repair and identify factors affecting the clinical outcomes.

METHODS

This study retrospectively enrolled patients who were treated for TFCC foveal tears by arthroscopic transosseous TFCC foveal repair. The diagnosis of TFCC foveal tear was made based on medical history, physical examination, and magnetic resonance imaging, with confirmation via arthroscopic examination. Outcome evaluation was completed at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively, and patients were classified into 2 groups according to the minimal clinically important difference of the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation. Various factors including age, sex, trauma history, body mass index, symptom duration, hand dominance, ulnar variance, subluxation of the distal radioulnar joint, preoperative pain score, and functional status, as well as the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the pronator quadratus (PQ) muscle, were retrospectively analyzed using both univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

During the study period, 42 patients were treated for TFCC foveal tears. The functional status significantly improved after surgery. Overall, 27 and 15 patients showed good and poor functional outcomes, respectively, which were assessed according to the minimal clinically important difference of the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation. On univariate analysis, clinical outcomes were better in male patients (P = .035), younger patients (P = .022), and those with higher CSAs of the PQ muscles (P < .001). However, on multivariable logistic regression analysis, only a higher CSA of the PQ muscle was identified as an independent prognostic factor affecting clinical outcome after TFCC foveal repair (P = .004).

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic transosseous TFCC complex foveal repair led to satisfactory results. However, lower PQ muscle CSA on magnetic resonance imaging was the most independent prognostic factor negatively affecting clinical outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective comparative study.

[Preliminary effectiveness of carpal arthroscopic adjuvant treatment of intra-articular fractures of distal radius]

Objective

To investigate the early-term effectiveness of carpal arthroscopy in the treatment of intra-articular fractures of distal radius.

Methods

The clinical data of 50 cases of intra-articular fractures of distal radius between January 2015 and December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different methods of intraoperative assisted treatment, the patients were divided into the trial group (11 cases with carpal arthroscopy assisted treatment) and the control group (39 cases with traditional open reduction). There was no significant difference between the two groups in general data such as gender, age, affected side, cause of injury, time from injury to operation, and preoperative displacement ( P>0.05), which were comparable. Six patients in the trial group had triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury and received one-stage repair. Postoperative X-ray films were taken to estimate the fracture reduction. Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) wrist function score and modified Mayo score were used at 3 months after operation to evaluate the function of the wrist. The range of wrist flexion, extension, pronation, and supination motion of the two groups were recorded and compared at 3 months after operation. Patients in the trial group were further divided into the reduction group after arthroscopic exploration (group A, 6 cases) and the simple cleaning group after arthroscopic exploration (group B, 5 cases), and their wrist motions were compared.

Results

The operation time of the trial group was greater than that of the control group ( t=11.08, P=0.00). There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss and fracture reduction between the two group ( P>0.05). X-ray film at 1 day after operation showed that the degree of fracture displacement was significantly decreased when compared with preoperative one in each group ( P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between the two groups at 1 day after operation ( t=0.19, P=0.85). Patients in both groups were followed up 8-20 months, with an average of 12 months. There was no significant difference in fracture healing time between the two groups ( t=0.52, P=0.60). At 3 months after operation, the PRWE score, modified Mayo score, and wrist motions in the trial group were all better than those in the control group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in wrist motions between group A and group B ( P>0.05).

Conclusion

Carpal arthroscope assisted treatment of intra-articular fractures of distal radius can achieve good reduction and postoperative function. Meanwhile, TFCC, ligament, articular cartilage, and other injuries can be repaired in one stage.

The Optimal Suture Placement and Bone Tunnels for TFCC Repair: A Cadaveric Study

Background  Transosseous repair of foveal detachment of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is effective for distal radioulnar joint stabilization. However, studies of the optimal foveal and TFCC suture positions are scant. Purpose  The purpose of this study was to clarify the optimal TFCC suture position and bone tunnels for transosseous foveal repair. Materials and Methods  Seven cadavers were utilized. The TFCC was incised at the foveal insertion and sutured at six locations (TFCCs 1-6) using inelastic sutures. Six osseous tunnels were created in the fovea (foveae 1-6). Fovea 2 is located at the center of the circle formed by the ulnar head overlooking the distal end of the ulna (theoretical center of rotation); fovea 5 is located 2 mm ulnar to fovea 2. TFCC 5 is at the ulnar apex of the TFCC disc; TFCC 4 is 2 mm dorsal to TFCC 5. TFCC 1 to 6 sutures were then placed through each of the six osseous tunnels, resulting in 36 combinations, which were individually tested. The forearm was placed in five positions between supination and pronation, and the degree of suture displacement was measured. The position with the least displacement indicated the isometric point of the TFCC and fovea. Results  The mean distance of suture displacement was 2.4 ± 1.6 mm. Fovea 2, combined with any TFCC location, (0.7 ± 0.6 mm) and fovea group 5, combined with TFCC 4 location (0.8 ± 0.8) or with TFCC 5 location (0.9 ± 0.6) had statistically shorter suture displacements than any other fovea groups. Conclusion  For TFCC transosseous repair, osseous tunnel position was more important than TFCC suture location.

Open versus arthroscopic repair of the triangular fibrocartilage complex: a systematic review

Background and purpose

To investigate the outcome of open versus arthroscopic repair of injuries of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC).

Methods

An electronic literature search of articles published between January 1, 1985, and May 26, 2016, in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was carried out in May 2016 and updated in March and December 2017. Studies comparing open and arthroscopic repair of TFCC injury with a mean follow up of more than 1 year were eligible for inclusion. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist guided the extraction and reporting of data. The methodological quality of the included articles was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias. The primary outcome measure was the rate of postoperative distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) re-instability. Secondary outcome measures were range of motion (ROM), grip strength, residual pain, functional wrist scores and the rates of complications and re-operations.

Results

A total of 868 articles were identified by the electronic search. After duplicate removal and subsequent study selection, a total of two studies were included in this systematic review. The methodological quality of the included articles displayed risks of bias. There was no difference in DRUJ re-instability between open and arthroscopic repair of the TFCC. There were no differences in obtained postoperative ROM, grip strength or values in functional outcome scores, between open and arthroscopic TFCC repair in the two included studies, except for the Disability of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire - in favor of arthroscopic surgery - in one of the included studies.

Conclusions

This systematic review shows comparable results between open and arthroscopic repair of the TFCC, in terms of DRUJ re-instability and functional outcome scores. There is insufficient evidence to recommend one technique over the other in clinical practice. There is an immense lack of comparison studies with high level of evidence in the area of wrist ligament repair and reconstruction, including TFCC-injuries and DRUJ-instability.

Arthroscopic one-tunnel transosseous foveal repair for triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) peripheral tear

PURPOSE

Arthroscopic repair of a peripheral triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tear is a promising, minimally invasive surgical technique, especially in patients with symptomatic distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical result of arthroscopic one-tunnel transosseous foveal repair for peripheral TFCC tears.

METHODS

Sixteen patients who underwent TFCC foveal repair were retrospectively evaluated. The mean follow-up period was 31.1 months. The torn TFCC of all patients was repaired with the arthroscopic one-tunnel transosseous foveal repair technique. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, wrist range of motion, grip strength, Mayo wrist score, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Quick DASH) score, and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

On arthroscopic examination, all 16 patients showed Palmer 1B type peripheral TFCC tears with foveal disruption. Among them, 13 patients had a proximal component TFCC tear (Atzei class 3) and 3 patients had a complete TFCC tear (Atzei class 2). At the final follow-up, the mean range of the pronation-supination arc (P = 0.03) and grip strength (P = 0.001) was significantly increased. Twelve patients had normal stability of the DRUJ and six patients showed mild laxity compared with the contralateral side. The mean VAS for pain perception decreased from 3.7 to 0.8 (P = 0.001). The modified Mayo wrist (P = 0.001) and Quick DASH (P = 0.001) scores showed significant functional improvement. No surgery-related complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows that arthroscopic one-tunnel transosseous repair is a good treatment strategy for TFCC foveal tears in terms of reliable pain relief, functional improvement, and re-establishment of DRUJ stability.

[Wrist arthroscopy : challenging procedure of modern hand surgery]

Arthroscopy of the wrist has developed in the shadow of arthroscopy of the large joints. Nowadays, wrist arthroscopy has a relevant importance in the diagnostics and therapy in hand surgery and is indispensable for serious surgery of the wrist. Special equipment and extensive knowledge of the surgeon are necessary for carrying out the procedure.