Arthroscopic ligament-specific repair for triangular fibrocartilage complex foveal avulsions: a minimum 2-year follow-up study

Abstract

This study reports the arthroscopic ligament-specific repair of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) that anatomically restores both the volar and dorsal radioulnar ligaments into their individual foveal footprints. Twenty-five patients underwent arthroscopic ligament-specific repair with clinical and radiological diagnoses of TFCC foveal avulsions. The mean age was 28 years (range 14-47) and the mean follow-up was 31 months (range 24-47). Following arthroscopic assessment, 20 patients underwent double limb radioulnar ligament repairs and five had single limb repairs. At final follow-up, there were significant improvements in wrist flexion-extension, forearm pronation-supination and grip strength. There were also significant improvements in pain and patient-reported outcomes as assessed by the patient-rated wrist evaluation, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score and modified Mayo wrist scores. Arthroscopic ligament-specific repair of the TFCC does not require specialist dedicated equipment or consumables and offers a viable method of treating these injuries.<b>Level of evidence:</b> IV.