Arthroscopic findings of wrist ligament injuries associated with distal radius fractures

Abstract

Objective To report te incidence and extent of injuries of the scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL), lunotriquetral interosseous ligament (LTIL) and triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC)observed under wrist srthroscope during treatment of distal radius fractures.Methods Twenty-seven cases of distal radius fractures were treated with wrist arthroscopic assistance.Distal radius fractures were categorized using AO classification.Injuries of SLIL and LTIL were viewed and graded by Geissler's arthroscopic classification of carpal instability/intercarpal ligament injuries.TFCC lesions were recorded by Palmer's classification.Chi square statistical analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the extent of these ligament injuries and the types of distal radius fractures.Results All 27 cases had SLIL and LTIL injuries of grade Ⅰ to grade Ⅱ.25 cases had type Ⅰa TFCC lesions.There was no significant correlation between ligament injuries and the types of fractures.Conclusion There is a high incidence of ligament injury accompanying distal radius fractures.Wrist arthroscope assisted treatment of distal radius fractures can enhance the accurate detection of these carpal ligament injuries. Key words: Radius fractures; Ligaments; Arthroscopes