Arthroscopic Examination of the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex in Galeazzi Injuries: Revisiting a Complex Injury

Abstract

AbstractGaleazzi fracture-dislocations result from severe trauma and can lead to loss of function of the wrist and forearm if not treated appropriately. To avoid such disasters, meticulous surgical management of the injury is necessary. The current literature talks about symptomatic distal radioulnar joint injuries in Galeazzi fracture-dislocations and the various approaches to managing instability. However, unfortunately, there is a dearth of data on the true incidence of injury to the triangular fibrocartilage in the backdrop of the severity of the mechanism of Galeazzi fractures and the damage it may cause as direct inspection of the triangular fibrocartilage complex is not done routinely as a part of management of such cases. We conducted a retrospective review of six consecutive patients with Galeazzi fracture-dislocations. Wrist arthroscopy was performed in these cases, which revealed complex tears of the triangular fibrocartilage complex involving large segments of the ligament and always involving the dorsal periphery. All tears followed the same pattern of disruption of the attachments of two sides of the triangular fibrocartilage complex. We believe our findings will pave the path to further prospective studies in understanding the degree of damage in the triangular fibrocartilage in such devastating injuries and the need for meticulous arthroscopic repair.