title: Disability and function after arthroscopic repair of ulnar avulsions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex of the wrist.
abstract: Ulnar wrist pain due to a lesion of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is frequent. Based on studies of the vascularity, (traumatic) ulnar avulsions can be sutured. Arthroscopic techniques have been designed but results are scarcely published. This is a follow-up study of 52 patients with an ulnar avulsion of the TFCC. All patients were treated with an arthroscopic technique. Evaluation was directed to the subjective outcome, functionality ( using the DASH score) and objective parameters. The mean DASH score was 17.3. Pain was absent or minimal in 47 patients. The grip force was 80% of the contralateral side. Based on these findings, arthroscopic repair of the TFCC appears to be a reliable technique.
authors.affiliation: Hand Unit, U.Z. Pellenberg, Pellenberg, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Degreef
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Welters
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Milants
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Ransbeeck
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Smet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014457:Ulna / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*