title: Chronic lunotriquetral instability: diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: Fourteen patients with chronic lunotriquetral instability were evaluated. Forced wrist extension was the most common mechanism of injury. Fourteen patients underwent lunotriquetral arthrodesis. Arthrograms were positive in 9 of the 12 performed. In three cases abnormalities not identified by arthrography were demonstrated by arthroscopy. The follow-up period averaged 27 months. X-ray films showed fusion in 12 cases. One pseudarthrosis was asymptomatic. A second pseudarthrosis required a rearthrodesis that became solid 8 weeks after surgery. One patient had persistent wrist pain. Wrist motion compared to the contralateral side averaged 85%, 88%, 83% and 80%, respectively, for flexion, extension, ulnar deviation, and radial deviation. Grip strength compared to the contralateral side averaged 93%. Lunotriquetral instability is a clinical diagnosis confirmed by arthrography or arthroscopy. Lunotriquetral fusion reliably relieves pain while maintaining functional wrist motion and grip strength. The long-term effects of lunotriquetral fusion on carpal kinematics and wrist function are unknown.
authors.affiliation: Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, New Brunswick, NJ.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kirschenbaum
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Coyle
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Leddy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001174:Arthrodesis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014955:Wrist Joint