Objective To discuss the role of the bone suture anchors for repair of avulsed deep radioulnar ligaments in maintaining the rotatory stability of the distal radioulnar joint. Methods Nine upper limbs specimens were selected from fresh adult cadavers to make wrist joint-bone capsular ligaments complex specimen. All the specimens were tested under conditions of intact (normal group), deep radioulnar ligaments injury (injury group), and deep radioulnar ligaments injury repaired with anchoring (repair group). The internal and external rotation torque values were recorded in 45° wrist extension, neutral position, and 45° wrist flexion by AG-IS series MS biomechanical testing system. The statistic software was used to compare difference in rotation torque between groups. Results In 45° wrist extension, neutral position, and 45° wrist flexion, the internal rotation torque values in normal group were (0.83±0.33), (0.86±0.34), and (0.36±0.30) N·m respectively; the external rotation torque values were (0.86±0.38), (0.44±0.22), and (0.25±0.21) N·m respectively. The internal rotation torque values in injury group were (0.18±0.17), (0.22±0.17), and (0.16±0.15) N·m respectively; the external rotation torque values were (0.27±0.26), (0.13±0.17), and (0.04±0.04) N·m respectively. The internal rotation torque values in repair group were (0.79±0.34), (0.73±0.33), and (0.41±0.23) N·m respectively; the external rotation torque values were (0.80±0.39), (0.41±0.22), (0.41±0.40) N·m respectively. In 45° wrist extension, neutral position, and 45° wrist flexion, the internal and external rotation torque values in injury group were significantly lower than those in normal group and repair group (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between repair group and normal group (P>0.05). Conclusion The deep radioulnar ligaments are important structure for maintaining rotatory stability of distal radioulnar joint. Bone anchoring of the avulsed deep radioulnar ligaments to the ulna fovea is critically important in reconstructing function anatomy of the distal radioulnar joint.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of anatomical repair of Atzei-EWAS type 2 triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury under wrist arthroscopy. MethodsBetween March 2018 and March 2020, 16 patients with Atzei-EWAS type 2 TFCC injury were admitted, and the TFCCs were anatomically repaired with a three-dimensional suture with a thread anchor under wrist arthroscopy. There were 10 males and 6 females with an average of 40.2 years (range, 22-54 years). The disease duration ranged from 2 to 9 months (mean, 6.4 months). Preoperative grip strength of the affected limb was (20.06±3.38) kg, wrist range of motion in flexion and extension was (117.19±7.74)°, radial-ulnar deviation was (31.25±5.32)°, forearm rotation range of motion was (137.19±14.83)°, visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 5.6±1.2. At last follow-up, the effectiveness was evaluated by the grip strength of the affected limb, the range of motion of the wrist joint, the VAS score, and the modified Mayo wrist score. ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention. One case had paralysis of the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve after operation, and no other complications occurred in other cases. All patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 14.5 months). The distal radioulnar joint stability of all patients recovered. At last follow-up, the grip strength of the affected limb was (24.88±3.26) kg, the range of motion in flexion and extension was (146.59±6.49)°, radial-ulnar deviation was (39.38±6.55)°, and forearm rotation range of motion was (152.50±11.55)°, which were significantly higher than those before operation (P<0.05); the VAS score was 0.9±0.8, which was significantly lower than that before operation (t=21.029, P=0.000). The modified Mayo wrist score was rated as excellent in 10 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 1 case. The excellent and good rate was 93.8%. MRI results showed that TFCC healed in all cases. ConclusionFor Atzei-EWAS type 2 TFCC injury, anatomical repair under wrist arthroscopy can restore the anatomical structure of TFCC, effectively relieve wrist pain, improve function, and obtain good effectiveness.
Objective To compare the short-term effectiveness of arthroscopic suture of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), arthroscopic suture of TFCC combined with open reduction and internal fixation, and simple open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of distal radius fractures combined with ulnar styloid base fractures and TFCC injury. Methods A clinical data of 97 patients with distal radius fractures combined with ulnar styloid base fracture and TFCC injury, who were admitted between September 2019 and September 2022 and met the selective criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. After reduction and internal fixation of distal radius fractures, 37 cases underwent arthroscopic suture of TFCC (TFCC group), 31 cases underwent arthroscopic suture of TFCC combined with open reduction and internal fixation of ulnar styloid base fractures (combination group), and 29 cases underwent simple open reduction and internal fixation of ulnar styloid base fractures (internal fixation group). There was no significant difference in baseline data between groups (P>0.05), such as gender, age, injury side, time from injury to operation, and preoperative radius height, palm inclination, ulnar deviation, grip strength, wrist range of motion (ROM) in rotation, ulnar-radial deviation, and flexion-extension. The differences (change value) in radius height, metacarpal inclination angle, ulnar deviation angle, grip strength, and wrist ROM in rotation, ulnar-radial deviation, and flexion-extension between preoperative and 12 months after operation in 3 groups were compared. The effectiveness was evaluated according to the modified Gartland-Werley score at 12 months after operation. Results All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 14 months). X-ray films showed that there were 4 patients with non-union of ulnar styloid base fracture in TFCC group, and the remaining patients had fracture healing at 3 months after operation. The radius height, palm inclination, and ulnar deviation of 3 groups at 12 months after operation were significantly better than those before operation (P<0.05); however, the differences in the change values of the above indexes between groups was not significant (P>0.05). At 12 months after operation, the change values of wrist ROM in rotation, ulnar-radial deviation, and flexion-extension in the TFCC group and the combination group were significantly greater than those in the internal fixation group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the TFCC group and the combination group (P>0.05). The change values of grip strength was significantly greater in the combination group than in the internal fixation group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between the other groups (P>0.05). The excellent and good rates according to the modified Gartland-Werley score were 91.89% (34/37), 93.54% (29/31), and 72.41% (21/29) in the TFCC group, the combination group, and the internal fixation group, respectively. The excellent and good rates of the TFCC group and the combination group were significantly higher than that of the internal fixation group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between the TFCC group and the combination group (P>0.05).ConclusionFor ulnar styloid base fractures with TFCC injury, compared with simple open reduction and internal fixation, arthroscopic suture of TFCC or suture TFCC combined with internal fixation treatment are both beneficial for wrist function recovery, and their short-term effectiveness are similar. Therefore, arthroscopic suture of TFCC may be a better choice.