Dumontier group 2 radiocarpal fracture-dislocation: The results of open reduction and fixation without volar ligament repair

Abstract

IntroductionThe radiocarpal fracture-dislocations are a spectrum of severe injury involving both the bony and ligamentous structures that stabilise the wrist joint. The aim of this study was to analyse the outcome of open reduction and fixation without volar ligament repair for Dumontier group 2 radiocarpal fracture-dislocation and to evaluate the incidence and clinical relevance of ulnar translation and advanced osteoarthritis. Patients and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed 22 patients with Dumontier group 2 radiocarpal fracture-dislocation treated in our institute. Clinical and radiological outcomes were recorded. Postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Outcome Measure (DASH), and Mayo modified wrist scores (MMWS) were collected. Furthermore, extension‒flexion and supination‒pronation arcs were collected by reviewing chart, either. We divided the patients into two groups according to the presence or absence of advanced osteoarthritis, and presented the differences in the pain, disability, wrist performance, and range of motion between the two groups. We performed the same comparison between the patients with and those without the ulnar translation of the carpus. ResultsThere were sixteen men and six women with a median age of 23 years (range, 20‒48 years). The median follow-up period was 33 months (range, 12–149 months). The median VAS, DASH and MMWS were 0 (range 0–2), 9.1 (range, 0–65.9) and 80 (range, 45–90), respectively. The median flexion‒extension and pronation‒supination arcs were 142.5° (range, 20°‒170°) and 147.5° (range, 70°‒175°), respectively. Ulnar translation was recognised in four patients and the development of advanced osteoarthritis was noted in 13 patients during the follow-up period. However, neither was highly correlated with functional outcomes. ConclusionThe current study postulated that ulnar translation might occur following treatment for Dumontier group 2 lesions, whereas injury was predominantly caused by rotational force. Therefore, radiocarpal instability should be recognized during the operation. However, the clinical relevance of ulnar translation and wrist osteoarthritis needs to be assessed in further comparison studies.