title: Persistent ulnar-sided wrist pain after treatment of triquetral dorsal chip fracture: six cases related to triangular fibrocartilage complex injury.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Persistent ulnar-sided wrist pain after treatment of triquetral dorsal chip fracture even after union is a matter of concern. There could be various reasons for this persistent pain like arthritis, instability, fractures and non-union. We correlate our findings of physical examination and wrist arthroscopy as triangular fibrocartilage complex injury to be one of the causes of this persistent pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six subjects who had persistent ulnocarpal joint pain and tenderness after triquetral dorsal chip fracture, despite 2 months of conservative treatment, were subjected to physical tests. If the physical examination yields positive results, then magnetic resonance imaging followed by arthroscopic treatment was performed. The six patients were then evaluated using the visual analogue scale, the Mayo modified wrist score, and the grip strength test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury was observed in all six cases and partial TFCC resection and synovectomy were performed. Analysis of the visual analogue scale, Mayo modified wrist score, and grip strength test data revealed statistically significant improvements (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In addition to several causes reported in the published literature, TFCC injury can be a cause of persistent ulnar pain after treatment of triquetral dorsal chip fracture. Arthroscopic partial TFCC resection can be considered to be a suitable treatment for such cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seoung-joon
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chasanal Mohan
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Rathod
authors.forename: Kwang-Won
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jin-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010808:Physical Examination; D051478:Triangular Fibrocartilage / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D051221:Triquetrum Bone / Q000293:injuries*; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*