title: Ulnar shortening combined with arthroscopic repairs in the delayed management of triangular fibrocartilage complex tears.
abstract: The functional outcome after surgery was determined in 21 patients an average of 29 months (range, 24-52 months) after surgery to evaluate the efficacy of arthroscopic repair of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears and ulnar shortening. All of the patients had reparable lesions of the TFCC treated after a delay of more than 6 months from the time of injury. The patients' average age was 32 years and all patients had wrist pain limiting them from work and/or sports prior to surgery. After surgery, there was a significant relief of pain (p < .01). Grip strength and range of motion averaged 83% +/- 18% and 81% +/- 16%, respectively, of that of the uninjured side. At follow-up evaluation, 14 patients with repairs underwent follow-up studies; the TFCC was noted to be intact in 12 patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hand and Microvascular Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98195, USA.
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Trumble
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vedder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020679:Arthroscopes; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014457:Ulna / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*