Arthroscopic Midcarpal Tendon Interposition: A New Technique for Capitolunate Constraints

Abstract

Conflicts of the capitolunate, causing midcarpal pain from friction can be isolated (e.g., avascular necrosis of the proximal pole of the capitate [AVNC], palmar midcarpal instability [PMCI]) or form part of a framework of more complex osteoarthritis phenomena (e.g., scaphoid pseudarthrosis [SNAC], and lesions of the scapholunate capsuloligamentous complex [SLAC]). We group in the term “conflict” all of the causes (with intact cartilage or not) causing midcarpal pain by friction. Treatment by capitolunar arthrodesis can be effective, but inevitably stiffening. In other more specific cases (i.e., AVNC), replacement of the proximal pole of the capitate with a synthetic implant or a tendon has shown variable results. In this work, we propose a management of these conflicts with a conservative arthroscopic technique, including capitolunate tendon interposition. We describe arthroscopic midcarpal tendon interposition (AMTI) for capitolunate conflicts. This technique prevents stiffness due to arthrodesis, but good experience in wrist arthroscopy is required to perform this operation.