Lunotriquetral Ligament Reconstruction Utilizing a Palmaris Longus Autograft

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.

Diagnosis and Management of Lunotriquetral Ligament Injuries

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The standard of care for lunotriquetral ligament injuries is evolving. An understanding of the mechanics of the lunotriquetral ligament and its role in carpal kinematics is critical when deciding how to treat these injuries. Treatment for these injuries varies from nonoperative to wrist arthroscopy with thermal capsulodesis and/or repair to reconstruction or limited arthrodesis. This article provides a review of the anatomy, pathomechanics, evaluation, and ultimately treatment of lunotriquetral ligament injuries.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although lunotriquetral ligament injuries can occur in isolation, injuries to the lunotriquetral ligament are often viewed as a component of other injury patterns to the intrinsic and extrinsic ligaments of the wrist. Static volar intercalated segment instability typically occurs when the dorsal radiocarpal ligament is also compromised. If nonoperative treatment fails, arthroscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis even with improving imaging modalities. Recently, authors have proposed employing the technique of ulnar-shortening osteotomy in those with ulnar negative variance and the absence of an impaction lesion. Other newer techniques included bone-ligament-bone reconstruction for chronic, static instability. LT injuries rarely occur in isolation. Most injuries involving the lunotriquetral ligament can be treated nonoperatively. Those individuals with persistent pain should be treated with a diagnostic wrist arthroscopy. Primary repairs are indicated in those with an acute, complete tear. In chronic, static instability, ligament reconstruction has been shown to improve wrist function and decrease pain.

Technique for Reconstruction of Midcarpal Instability Associated with Lunotriquetral Coalition

Carpal coalition is a rare congenital presentation of 2 or more fused carpal bones due to a failure of apoptotic segmentation during development. The most common subtype is lunotriquetral coalition (LTC). Most cases are asymptomatic and found incidentally on imaging; however, a few symptomatic cases requiring treatment have been reported. Surgical intervention of arthrodesis and proximal row carpectomy in adults have been reported where conservative management of splinting, physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medication, or steroid injections have failed. We report a unique case of Minnaar type 2 LTC in a 20-year-old man with a 6-year history of daily right wrist pain and symptomatic wrist instability whose previous conservative therapies failed. Midcarpal instability and volar intercalated segment instability—volar flexion of the lunate—were present. A novel technique using the palmaris longus tendon to reconstruct the triquetrohamate, triquetrocapitate, and dorsal radiolunate ligaments was performed. The graft was secured dorsally to the hamate, triquetrum, and capitate. An additional graft from the lunate to distal radius acted as a biomechanical checkrein. There were no complications. Temporary Kirschner wires were removed 2 months postoperatively, followed by occupational hand therapy. At 1-year follow-up, the patient no longer reported pain or lunotriquetral tenderness. Midcarpal instability and volar intercalated segment instability resolved. Postoperative right wrist flexion and extension were 40 and 75 degrees, respectively. We discuss the successful outcome of this novel technique as an alternative to arthrodesis in the surgical management of LTC.

Arthroscopic Dorsal Ligamentocapsulodesis in the Treatment of Isolated Lunotriquetral Interosseous Ligamentous Injury: A Retrospective Case Series of 22 Patients

Background: The literature is scarce regarding isolated tears of lunotriquetral interosseous ligament (LTIL). The purpose of this study was to present mid-term clinical and functional results of arthroscopic dorsal ligamentocapsulodesis in the treatment of isolated LTIL tears. Methods: Twenty-two patients (8 females, 14 males; mean age: 31 years; age range: 18-42) with isolated LTIL tears verified by wrist arthroscopy were retrospectively reviewed and included in the study. The mean follow-up was 55 months (range: 24-84). The modified Mayo wrist score, visual analog scale (VAS), flexion and extension deficits of passive wrist range of motion (ROM), pain-free ROM with forced wrist extension and grip strength were measured in all patients preoperatively and at final follow-up. Results: The mean modified Mayo wrist score significantly improved from 50 ± 10.29 preoperatively (range: 30-65) to 86 ± 11.61 (range: 60-100) at the final follow-up (p < 0.001). The mean VAS score significantly improved from 7.1 ± 0.83 (range: 6-8) preoperatively to 2.2 ± 1.35 (range: 0-6; p < 0.001) at the final follow-up. At the final follow-up examination, the forced wrist extension was painless in all but three patients who developed pain at 70º, 75º and 80º of extension, respectively. The mean strength of hand grip significantly increased from 38.6 ± 9.68 (range: 24-54) kg to 49.5 ± 12.36 (range: 33-66) kg at the final assessment (p < 0.001). No major complications were observed during or after the procedure. Conclusions: With the encouraging mid-term outcomes and a lower complication rate, arthroscopic LTIL dorsal ligamentocapsulodesis seems to be a safe and effective surgical technique in improving functional outcomes and reducing pain in patients with isolated LTIL tears. Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic).

Arthroscopic Lunotriquetral Ligamentoplasty, from the Cadaver Lab to the Clinical Practice

Introduction There has been an increase in the diagnosis of injuries to the intrinsic ligaments of the wrist due to the more widespread use of arthroscopy in the treatment of patients with musculoskeletal wrist pain, and arthroscopy is particularly very helpful to determine the etiology of these lesions at the ulnar level. The treatment of lunotriquetral ligament injuries encompasses different techniques with results that are little reproducible. Ligament reconstruction through tendon grafting has shown favorable results, but it involves extensive open approaches that lead to a slower recovery a lower range of joint motion due to the excess of scar tissue. The objective of the present study is to describe the performance, in a cadaver, of a minimally-invasive lunotriquetral and secondary-stabilizer ligamentoplasty and its application in a representative clinical case.

Material and Methods A preliminary study of six specimens in which a lunotriquetral and secondary-stabilizer ligamentoplasty was performed consecutively through a free tendon graft with arthroscopic assistance. We proceeded to recreate the complete ligament injury, and to perform an assessment of lunotriquetral instability according to the Geissler classification and an arthroscopic ballottement test. We describe the surgical technique, ligament stability after the ligamentoplasty, and the subsequent anatomical dissection, assessing the anatomical structures susceptible to iatrogenic injury. We also describe the application of the technique in one case, comparing the clinical parameters before and after the procedure: range of motion of the joint, strength, pain and the shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Hand, and Shoulder (QuickDASH) questionnaire.

Results The ligamentoplasties performed showed recovery of the stability of the lunotriquetral interval assessed according to the Geissler classification and the arthroscopic ballottement test. In the dissection of the specimens, no iatrogenic lesions were found in the tendons or the surfaces of the mediocarpal and radiocarpal joints. The average distances between the nearest bone tunnels and nerves were of 7.3 mm for the sensory branch of the ulnar nerve, of 3.6 mm for the posterior interosseous nerve, and of 4.5 mm for the ulnar neurovascular bundle. No fractures were observed in the tunnelled bones. In the clinical case herein presented, six months after the intervention, there was an improvement in strength and preoperative pain, with a slight decrease in the joint range of motion (15% compared to the contralateral joint).

Conclusions The lunotriquetral ligamentoplasty herein described could contribute to the biomechanical restoration of the carpus and be an option for recosntruction in selected cases. Its performance through minimally-invasive techniques, and the use of a free tendon graft together with specific rehabilitation should be considered to optimize the outcomes.

LT Ligament Tears

Lunotriquetral (LT) ligament injuries are uncommon, however, should be considered in patients with ulnar-sided wrist pain. LT injuries are often associated with other injuries but can occur in isolation. Understanding the anatomy and pathomechanics will aid in making the diagnosis. Similar to other injuries, a thorough history and focused physical examination is critical. Radiographs may show normal findings; however, advanced imaging can support the diagnosis. Arthroscopy remains the gold standard for diagnosis. Most patients do well with conservative management; however, injury acuity and severity will direct surgical management. Anatomy, pathophysiology, and treatment options are discussed.

Dorsal Bone–Ligament–Bone Reconstruction of Chronic Lunotriquetral Instability: Biomechanical Testing

Purpose

Lunotriquetral (LT) instability is uncommon and few biomechanical analyses of the condition exist. For chronic LT instabilities, arthrodesis has long been the treatment of choice but has a high risk for nonunion. The aim of this study was to evaluate an alternative treatment option using a bone–ligament–bone graft in a cadaver model and compare it with a conventional arthrodesis.

Methods

We used 10 cadaveric forearms with different loading positions. We employed computed tomography scans to evaluate the LT joint. Scans were performed with the joint intact after we sectioned the dorsal LT ligament and the palmar LT ligament. The joints were then reconstructed using a bone–ligament–bone graft from the capitate–hamate joint as well as with a compression screw simulating arthrodesis. The joints were then rescanned and 3-dimensional analysis was performed using specialized 3-dimensional software.

Results

Sectioning the dorsal part of LT ligament had little effect on kinematics; however, additional division of the palmar LT ligament resulted in increased mobility. Restoration of physiological kinematics could be partially achieved after bone–ligament–bone reconstruction. Arthrodesis showed increased intercarpal motion in the adjacent scapholunate and lunocapitate joints compared with the bone–ligament–bone reconstruction.

Conclusions

The bone–ligament–bone reconstruction displayed physiologic carpal kinematics in the adjacent joints compared with arthrodesis. It provided enough stability but still some mobility in the LT joint to be able to use it as a treatment modality for chronic LT instability without the risk for nonunion. Decreased intercarpal motion was not statistically significant although there appeared to be a trend toward it.

Type of study/level of evidence

Therapeutic IV.