Arthroscopic dorsal radiocarpal ligament repair.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine if arthroscopic repair of a dorsal radiocarpal ligament (DRCL) tear is effective in ameliorating wrist pain.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
A chart review was performed of 53 patients (56 wrists) who underwent wrist arthroscopy with use of a volar radial portal. There were 21 patients with DRCL tears. Mean follow-up was 16 months. Thirteen patients underwent arthroscopic DRCL repair and/or thermal shrinkage (5 repairs, 6 repair plus shrinkage, and 2 shrinkage). Lunotriquetral tears were treated with debridement and pinning. Triangular fibrocartilage (TFC) tears were debrided or repaired. Scapholunate ligament tears/instability were treated with capsulodesis.


RESULTS
The 4 patients who underwent repair of an isolated DRCL tear had excellent results with no or mild pain. All returned to their previous occupation. Dorsal capsulodesis was performed in 7 patients with 4 fair/poor results. Nine DRCL repairs/shrinkage were in association with other procedures for ulnar-sided pathology with 6 fair/poor results.


CONCLUSIONS
Tears of the DRCL are more common than previously suspected. They are best seen through a volar radial portal and are amenable to arthroscopic repair. DRCL tears appear to be part of a spectrum of radial and ulnar-sided carpal instability as evidenced by the frequent association with scapholunate ligament tears/instability or ulnar-sided pathology. Isolated DRCL tears can be solely responsible for wrist pain. Good results are obtained with arthroscopic repair of isolated DRCL tears. The presence of a DRCL tear when seen in combination with a scapholunate, lunotriquetral, or TFC tear connotes a greater degree and/or duration of carpal instability, and portends a poorer prognosis following treatment. Recognition of this condition and further research into treatment methods is needed.


METHODS
Level IV.
Slutsky
David J
DJ
Department of Orthopedics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA. d-slutsky@msn.com
D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D001858:Bone Nails; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D003646:Debridement; D003972:Diathermy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000601:surgery; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*