The functional outcome of acute scapholunate ligament repair in patients with intraarticular distal radius fractures treated by internal fixation.

BACKGROUND: Intra-articular fractures of the distal radius (DRF) are associated with a twofold increase in the risk of scapholunate ligament injury (SLI). The aim of this study was to compare functional outcome, pain, and disability between patients with operatively treated DRF and either an acute, repaired scapholunate ligament injury or no ligament injury. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 18 patients with an intraarticular DRF and SLI that was diagnosed and treated (Group I) and compared them with 20 patients with DRF without associated ligament injury (Group II) (20 women, 18 men; average age 55 years, range 19-72). The two cohorts were analyzed for differences in motion, grip strength, pain, Mayo wrist score, and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score an average of 43 months (range 12-73) after surgery. Radiographic assessment included fracture union, palmar tilt, radial inclination, ulnar variance, intercarpal angles, and arthrosis (according to Knirk and Jupiter). We used T-tests to compare range of motion, grip strength, pain (visual analog scale), DASH scores, and radiographic alignment between cohorts. A Chi-squared analysis was used to determine radiographic differences of arthritis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in mean range of motion, grip strength, Quick DASH score, Mayo wrist score, pain level, or radiographic arthrosis between cohorts. There was no correlation between radiographic signs of osteoarthritis and the QuickDASH score, and pain level. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of intraarticular fractures of the distal radius with operatively treated associated SLI are comparable with the outcomes of intraarticular fractures of the distal radius without associated SLI.