Double lesion of TFCC injury from penetrating wrist trauma: A case report.

Bony avulsion injuries of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) caused by penetrating wrist trauma are rare, and there is limited literature available regarding their treatment. This case report describes a 54-year-old male who sustained a penetrating injury to his right wrist, resulting in "double lesion" of TFCC injury, which are ulnar avulsion (Palmer 1B) and radial avulsion (Palmer 1D) lesion with a sigmoid notch fracture. The patient underwent an arthroscopic examination and a novel arthroscopic technique for fixation and repair of the TFCC injury. The procedure involved debridement, repair of the dorsal radioulnar ligament bony avulsion, and fixation of the foveal bony avulsion of the TFCC. The patient's wrist was immobilized postoperatively, followed by gradual rehabilitation. At the final follow-up of six months, the patient demonstrated improved range of motion and functional outcomes. This case report highlights the successful use of arthroscopic techniques for the treatment of complex TFCC avulsion injuries resulting from penetrating wrist trauma.

Association between imaging parameter changes and triangular fibrocartilage complex injury after distal radius fractures.

BACKGROUND: Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury is a frequent soft tissue injury that has been observed to accompany distal radius fractures (DRFs) with concomitant changes in radiologic parameters. The aim of this study was to investigate the relevance of distal radial radiologic parameters associated with DRF and traumatic TFCC injury. METHODS: A total of 172 patients with distal radius fractures who underwent X-ray, CT, and MRI before undergoing volar locking plate or external splint fixation between October 2021 and December 2022 were included in this study. An analysis of various radiologic parameters and the classification of fracture type and TFCC injuries by CT and MRI was performed. All patients were divided into the TFCC uninjured group and the injured group. The incidence and relevant radiologic parameters were compared. RESULTS: This study included 76 males and 96 females with a mean age of 56.1 years. Among all patients, 33 (19.2%), 40 (23.2%), and 99 (57.6%) had DRF with A, B, and C fractures, respectively, according to the AO/OTA classification. In patients with fractures, the TFCC was found to be injured in 54.1% (93/172) of patients (type 1A in 21, 1B in 46, 1C in 39, and 1D in 35) but uninjured in 45.9% (79/172). There were significant differences between the TFCC injured and uninjured groups regarding the radius length (p = 0.044) and DRUJ distance (p = 0.040) of radiologic parameters that changed with DRF, although there were no differences between the two groups regarding gender, age, injured side, intra- and extra-articular, radius inclination and palmer tilt angle, or sagittal translation. Within the TFCC injured group, the radius length and DRUJ distance were 4.83 mm and 2.95 mm less or wider than 7.19 mm and 1.83 mm of the uninjured group. Moreover, shorter radius length was related to type lB TFCC injury (p = 0.041). Both radius length (AUC = 0.658) and DRUJ distance (AUC = 0.582) had no convincing predictive value for TFCC injury in DRF. CONCLUSION: 1B TFCC injury is most common in patients with DRF and concomitant TFCC injury. Both radius length and DRUJ distance have a significant statistical correlation with TFCC injury, and patients with TFCC injury tend to have a shortened radius and wider DRUJ distance, although they have no predictive value for TFCC injury in DRF. In addition, a shorter radius length was related to type lB TFCC injury.

Predictors for poor outcome for conservatively treated traumatic triangular fibrocartilage complex tears.

AIMS: The primary aim of this study was to assess if traumatic triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears can be treated successfully with immobilization alone. Our secondary aims were to identify clinical factors that may predict a poor prognosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 89 wrists in 88 patients between January 2015 and January 2019. All patients were managed conservatively initially with either a short-arm or above-elbow custom-moulded thermoplastic splint for six weeks. Outcome measures recorded included a visual analogue scale for pain, Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, and the modified Mayo Wrist Score (MMWS). Patients were considered to have had a poor outcome if their final MMWS was less than 80 points, or if they required eventual surgical intervention. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors for a poor outcome. RESULTS: In total, 76% of wrists (42/55) treated with an above-elbow splint had a good outcome, compared to only 29% (10/34) with a short-arm splint (p < 0.001). The presence of a complete foveal TFCC tear (p = 0.009) and a dorsally subluxated distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) (p = 0.032) were significantly associated with a poor outcome on univariate analysis. Sex, age, energy of injury, hand dominance, manual occupation, ulnar variance, and a delay in initial treatment demonstrated no significant association. Multiple logistic regression revealed that short-arm immobilization (p < 0.001) and DRUJ subluxation (p = 0.020) were significant independent predictive factors of an eventual poor outcome. CONCLUSION: Nonoperative management of traumatic TFCC injuries with above-elbow immobilization is a viable treatment method, particularly in patients without DRUJ subluxation. Early surgery should be considered for patients with dorsal ulnar subluxation treated with short-arm splints to prevent prolonged morbidity. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(8):1386-1391.

A new quantitative evaluation system for distal radioulnar joint instability using a three-dimensional electromagnetic sensor.

BACKGROUND: The accurate assessment of distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability is still challenging as there is no established objective evaluation method. This study aimed to develop a noninvasive measurement method using a three-dimensional electromagnetic sensor system (EMS) to quantitatively assess and characterize the normal DRUJ movement in healthy volunteers. METHODS: The DRUJ movement was mimicked using both a block model and saw bone. Movement of the models was measured by EMS, and the accuracy and reproducibility of the measurements were assessed. In vivo measurement was performed in a sitting position with the elbow flexed and the forearm pronated. One sensor each was attached to the distal radial shaft and the ulnar head. The examiners fixed the distal radius and the carpal bones, moved the ulnar head from the dorsal to the volar side and measured the dorsovolar translation. The volar translation was measured by EMS and ultrasonography, and the correlation coefficient was calculated. The dorsovolar translation was evaluated in 14 healthy volunteers (7 men and 7 women) by three hand surgeons. The intraclass and inter-rater correlation coefficients (ICCs), the differences between the dominant and non-dominant sides and between men and women were assessed. RESULTS: The accuracy and reproducibility assessment results of the EMS showed high accuracy and reproducibility. In the comparison between EMS and ultrasonography, the correlation coefficient was 0.920 (p = 0.16 × 10-3). The ICC (1,5) for the intra-rater reliability was 0.856, and the ICC (2,5) for inter-rater reliability was 0.868. The mean ulnar head translation and difference between dominant and non-dominant sides were 6.00 ± 1.16 mm (mean ± SD) and - 0.12 ± 0.40 mm, respectively. There were no significant differences between any of the parameters. CONCLUSIONS: A new measurement method using EMS could evaluate DRUJ movement with high accuracy, reproducibility, and intra- and inter-rater reliability. In healthy volunteers, the dorsovolar ulnar head translation was 6.00 mm. The difference between the dominant and non-dominant sides was < 1.0 mm with no significant difference. EMS provided an objective, non-invasive, real-time assessment of dynamic changes in the DRUJ. These findings could be useful in the treatment of patients with DRUJ instability.

Clinical and Epidemiological Features Among Patients with Wrist Arthroscopy Surgery: A Hospital-based Study in China.

PROPOSE: To analyze the clinical and epidemiological features of patients who underwent wrist arthroscopy procedures. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study. The study included a cohort of patients who underwent wrist arthroscopy procedures in a national orthopaedic referral center from 1 February, 2014 to 1 February, 2019. The medical records, diagnosis, and every wrist arthroscopy procedure of all the patients were collected and reviewed. The epidemiological features, detail of the diagnoses, and the procedures of all the patients were systemically analyzed. All the patients were divided into two groups: trauma and non-trauma conditions. The complexity of the wrist arthroscopy procedure was classified into simple procedures (exploration or debridement) and complex procedures (repair or reconstruction). χ2 test was used to compare proportions between the procedures of different complexity and the two groups of patients. RESULTS: A total of 533 patients (332 males and 201 females) were included in this study. More than half (56%) of the patients were in the age group 21-40 and nearly two thirds (62%) of all the 533 patients were male. The diagnoses of all the patients could be classified into eight categories: (i) TFCC injury; (ii) ulnar impactions syndrome; (iii) carpal trauma (carpal bone fractures and/or carpal ligament injures); (iv) distal radius fractures; (v) carpal bone cyst or necrosis; (vi) ganglion cyst; (vii) wrist arthritis; and (viii) disorders of small joint of the hand. The most common conditions treated with wrist arthroscopy were TFCC injury (172 cases), followed by carpal trauma (125 cases) and ulnar impaction syndrome (84 cases). The simple arthroscopic procedures (exploration or debridement) account for 53% of all the procedures while complex reparative or reconstructive procedures account for 47%. There was a significant difference in the proportion between simple procedures and complex procedures in both trauma and non-traumatic patients. Repair or reconstruction procedures were more frequently performed for wrist trauma patients, whereas exploration or debridement procedures were more frequently performed for non-trauma patients. CONCLUSIONS: The largest group of patients who underwent wrist arthroscopy surgery are those who complained of ulnar-sided wrist pain and the commonly conducted wrist arthroscopy procedures have evolved from simple exploration/debridement to the more complex repair or reconstruction procedures in China.

A Novel Technique to Assess Distal Radioulnar Joint Stability Using Increasing Torque.

Background Previous studies on computed tomography (CT) in patients with a suspected triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury have not been successful in assessing distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) laxity. The aim of this study was to develop a novel servomotor-driven device for the assessment of DRUJ by applying increasing torque to the DRUJ in pronation and supination. Methods A custom-built device was designed to function during four-dimensional (4D) CT of the wrist. A torque meter, positioned between the incoming hand holder, and a direct current (DC) servomotor were used for angular positioning and for applying rotational force to the patient's arm. A total of 110 healthy participants were recruited to gather reference values for the range of motion (ROM), maximum torque in neutral and supinated/pronated position, and the ability to withstand an increasing, device-generated torque in these positions. The device was also used during 4D DRUJ CT in five patients with suspected TFCC injuries. Results A gender- and age-relevant reference chart for ROM and torque was created. Men showed a tendency (ns) toward having a larger ROM and increasing strength with increasing age, whereas women showed the opposite. Also, the dominant hand showed a tendency toward having a larger ROM and being stronger than the nondominant hand (ns). A smaller cohort of patients ( n = 5) with suspected TFCC injuries showed a significantly decreased ability to withstand increasing torque in both supination (2.1 ± 0.3 vs. 3.1 ± 0.2 s; p < 0.005) and pronation (2.3 ± 0.5 vs. 3.1 ± 0.4 s; p < 0.0005) and also showed a clear laxity on real-time 4D CT image sequences. Decreased strength at all positions was also found (average 74% decrease compared to noninjured side). Conclusion Reference values for torque strength and ability to withstand increasing torque can be used clinically in the assessment of patients with symptoms that could represent ligamentous injuries to the TFCC. The ability to use the device during CT enables radiographic evaluation of instability during increasing torque. Level of Evidence This is a Level II study.

Chronic Essex-Lopresti injury: a systematic review of current treatment options.

INTRODUCTION: Essex-Lopresti lesion (ELL) is a severe injury. Most of ELL is recognized in chronic phase representing a therapeutic challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. The aim of this systematic review is to highlight and criticize current concepts in the surgical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The search was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. A comprehensive research of Pubmed database was made using the following Mesh term: ((Essex-Lopresti injury) OR (Essex Lopresti) OR (distal radio ulnar dissociation) OR (distal radio ulnar dislocation) OR (longitudinal forearm instability)). Quality assessment of each article was performed according to Coleman score by two authors. RESULTS: Eight full articles were included to the systematic review. Surgical treatment was differentiated in five categories according to the most common procedure reported in clinical series. The mean Coleman Score was 51.13 ± 9.76. DISCUSSION: Case series reported in the literature include a limited number of patients with chronic ELL. Currently, salvage procedure devoted to treat a wrong diagnosis and an incorrect treatment is used. Radial head replacement together with ulnar shortening osteotomy and interosseous membrane reconstruction are the most common treatments of choice, but at present, there is not yet a shared scheme of management for patients with chronic ELL. CONCLUSIONS: According to current literature, a case-by-case treatment must always be considered. Further investigations, with higher level of evidence, quality of study design, and number of patients, are needed to better assess clinical results and complication of each technique. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Arthroscopic Management of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Peripheral Injury.

Patients suffering from ulnar-sided wrist pain after trauma may develop tenderness, clicking, a positive fovea sign, or instability of the distal radioulnar joint. If the pain is persistent, conservative treatment does not help, and the patient agrees to surgery, arthroscopy may reveal a triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury with capsular detachment, foveal avulsion, or a combination thereof. Capsular reattachment is possible using an arthroscopic assisted technique. The reattachment can be performed with an inside-out, outside-in, or all-inside technique, providing good to excellent results, which tend to persist over time, in 60% to 90% of cases.

Ulnar Impaction Syndrome: A case series investigating the appropriate diagnosis, management, and post-operative considerations.

Ulnar sided wrist pain is a common site for upper extremity disability. Ulnar impaction syndrome results in a spectrum of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries and associated lunate, triquetrum, and ligamentous damage. Patients commonly present with insidious ulnar sided wrist pain and clicking, and a history of trauma or repetitive axial loading and rotation. In this case series, three patients presented to a sports chiropractor for evaluation and were subsequently diagnosed with ulnar impaction syndrome. Treatment strategies consist of conservative management, arthroscopic debridement or repair, arthroscopic wafer procedure, or ulnar shortening osteotomy. For the athlete, intervention should be individualized and sport-specific, considering athletic priorities, healing potential, return to play, and long-term health concerns.

Une douleur cubitale du poignet est une manifestation courante d'un handicap de membres supérieurs. Le syndrome d'impaction cubitale entraîne une série de lésions du complexe fibrocartilagineux triangulaire (TFCC) et des lésions connexes de l'os semi-lunaire, du cartilage aryténoïde et des ligaments. Les patients souffrent habituellement d'une douleur insidieuse au poignet du côté cubital et de craquements de l'articulation, ainsi que de traumatismes ou de compressions et rotations axiales répétées. Dans cette série de cas, trois patients se présentant à un chiropraticien de sport pour une évaluation ont ensuite reçu un diagnostic du syndrome d'impaction cubitale. Les stratégies thérapeutiques comportent le traitement conservateur, le débridement ou la réparation arthroscopique, la résection arthroscopique de la partie distale, ou l'ostéotomie de raccourcissement cubital. Pour l'athlète, l'intervention doit être adaptée et indiquée pour son sport en tenant des priorités du sport, du potentiel de guérison, de la possibilité du retour au jeu et des problèmes de santé à long terme.

TFCC Injury Associated with the Triquetral Dorsal Chip Fracture

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of wrist arthroscopic examination in patient with persistent pain after the triquetral dorsal chip fracture and also to determine its relationship with TFCC injury in the triquetral dorsal chip fracture patient manifesting persistent pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is based on six cases presenting persistent pain in the ulnar aspect after the triqeutral posterior cord fracture that were treated conservatively. Wrist arthroscopy was carried out for all six cases. All were preoperatively and postoperatively evaluated using VAS pain scale, grip power, ulnar grind test, Kleinman shearing test and lunotriquetral ballottment test. RESULTS: Preoperatively, ulnar grind test yielded positive results in all six cases, Kleiman shearing test proved positive in three cases and lunotriquetral ballottment test yielded positive result in one case. In the arthroscopic findings, synovitis and TFCC injury were detected in all cases, and based on Palmer classification of TFCC injury, type IA was determined in five cases and type ID in one case. Arthroscopic TFCC partial resection and synovectomy were carried out. VAS pain scale improved from an average 8 points preoperatively to 3 points postoperatively. The difference of grip power between the normal and the other side improved from average of 15 lb preoperatively to 5 lb postoperatively. Based on postoperatively physical examination at 6 weeks, all cases yielded negative results in the ulnar grind test and Kleiman shearing test. CONCLUSION: We think that TFCC injury is one of the causes of persistent pain after triquetral dorsal chip fracture. We recommend an arthroscopic TFCC partial resection as a valuable treatment option.