TY - JOUR

T1 - A modified arthroscopic ulnar tunnel technique for foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex injury

AU - Gvozdenovic, Robert

AU - Simonsen, Sabine Hessler

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Arthroscopically assisted techniques for the treatment of foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries offer a less invasive option. Reports of the ulnar tunnel technique on a larger patient population are needed. This prospective cohort study of 44 patients aimed to evaluate the clinical and patient-reported outcome after arthroscopic foveal re-attachment using a novel, modified ulnar tunnel technique. Furthermore, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging findings were compared with the findings from the arthroscopic evaluation. History of ulnar sided wrist pain, positive fovea-sign at the clinical examination and positive hook test at the surgery were the main inclusion criteria for the study. Pain, grip strength, wrist motion and patient-reported outcomes were assessed pre-and postoperatively. The follow-up of this study was 31 months (range 18-48). No complications occurred during the surgery. All outcomes improved besides the range of motion, which remained unchanged. Pain on a visual analogue scale was 63 before, and 14 after the surgery (p = .0004). Pre- and postoperative values of Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire were 41/6, respectively (p=.007). Grip strength, measured in Kilogram-force were 29 and 36, pre-and postoperatively (p = .0004). Conspicuously, all patients achieved stability. Six patients needed re-operation, three for renewed injury. Thirty-nine of 44 patients scored excellent or good on the satisfaction score. We found the devised method to be with fewer complications and with favourable results compared with other techniques for the treatment of TFCC injuries.

AB - Arthroscopically assisted techniques for the treatment of foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries offer a less invasive option. Reports of the ulnar tunnel technique on a larger patient population are needed. This prospective cohort study of 44 patients aimed to evaluate the clinical and patient-reported outcome after arthroscopic foveal re-attachment using a novel, modified ulnar tunnel technique. Furthermore, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging findings were compared with the findings from the arthroscopic evaluation. History of ulnar sided wrist pain, positive fovea-sign at the clinical examination and positive hook test at the surgery were the main inclusion criteria for the study. Pain, grip strength, wrist motion and patient-reported outcomes were assessed pre-and postoperatively. The follow-up of this study was 31 months (range 18-48). No complications occurred during the surgery. All outcomes improved besides the range of motion, which remained unchanged. Pain on a visual analogue scale was 63 before, and 14 after the surgery (p = .0004). Pre- and postoperative values of Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire were 41/6, respectively (p=.007). Grip strength, measured in Kilogram-force were 29 and 36, pre-and postoperatively (p = .0004). Conspicuously, all patients achieved stability. Six patients needed re-operation, three for renewed injury. Thirty-nine of 44 patients scored excellent or good on the satisfaction score. We found the devised method to be with fewer complications and with favourable results compared with other techniques for the treatment of TFCC injuries.

KW - Triangular fibrocartilage complex

KW - fovea injury

KW - TFCC

KW - Palmer 1B injury

KW - Atzei III injury

KW - proximal TFCC

KW - DRUJ

KW - ASSISTED REPAIR

KW - STABILITY

KW - SUTURE

KW - JOINT

U2 - 10.1080/2000656X.2022.2070179

DO - 10.1080/2000656X.2022.2070179

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 35533690

VL - 57

SP - 308

EP - 314

JO - Journal of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery

JF - Journal of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery

SN - 2000-656X

IS - 1-6

ER -