Outcome study of arthroscopic suturing of ulnar avulsions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex of the wrist.
BACKGROUND
Ulnar wrist pain due to a TFCC lesion is frequent. Based on studies of the vascularity, ulnar avulsion can be sutured. Arthroscopic techniques have been designed but results are sparsely published.


METHODS
This is a retrospective study of 35 patients with an ulnar avulsion of the TFCC. All the patients were treated with an originally designed arthroscopical technique. The evaluation was focused on the subjective and functional ouome. A pain score and a DASH score were used.


RESULTS
The general impression was positive with a mean DASH score of 15 points. Two-thirds of the patients had a DASH score totaling less than 20. Twenty-nine patients had a good outcome, six were fair or poor.


CONCLUSIONS
Arthroscopical repair of the TFCC is a reliable and useful technique.
Millants
P
P
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, U.Z. Pellenberg, Weligerveld 1, 3212 Pellenberg, Belgium.
De Smet
L
L
Van Ransbeeck
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014457:Ulna / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000473:pathology