Arthroscopic Management of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Injuries

Abstract

Background: Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury is major cause of ulnar side wrist pain. It can lead to distal radio ulnar joint instability. Aim of the work: was to examine the efficacy of arthroscopic management of the TFCC injuries, and assess the functional outcome of this procedure. Patients and Methods: Twenty patients with torn TFCC underwent arthroscopic management. Five patients had central TFCC tears to which arthroscopic debridement was done. Five patients had superficial peripheral TFCC tears to which arthroscopic reattachment to the capsule was done. Ten patients had deep foveal TFCC tears with DRUJ instability to which arthroscopic assisted foveal reattachment by suture anchor was done. All patients were assessed before and after surgery (at follow-up) by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, the Modified Mayo Wrist Score (MMWS), and the incidence of complications. Results: Twenty patients were available for follow-up at a mean of 12.9 months. VAS improved from a mean of 6 to a mean of 1.3 (p<0.001). The DASH score improved from a mean of 28.2 to a mean of 5.8 (P < 0.001). MMWS improved from a mean of 66.3 to a mean of 88.5 (p<0.001). Conclusion: Arthroscopic management of TFCC tears has shown to reach good results according with different TFCC lesions and improvement in pain and function. However, the current study is limited by absence of conservative or open control group for comparison and the relatively short follow-up period.