Distal Radioulnar Joint Arthroscopy Research Articles

Dynamic Computed Tomography of the Distal Radioulnar Joint Versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Detecting Foveal Tears of the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex.

Diagnosis of foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears remains difficult. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether dynamic computed tomography (CT) of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) has a higher sensitivity in detecting foveal tears of the TFCC when compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A database query identified all patients above the age of 18 years with suspected foveal TFCC injuries who underwent bilateral dynamic CT imaging of the DRUJ, static 3T MRI, and subsequent wrist arthroscopy. All patients had evidence of foveal tenderness on clinical examination. The imaging results were validated with wrist arthroscopy. Twelve patients with a mean age of 31 years (range, 18-53 years) were identified. Eight patients were diagnosed with a complete foveal detachment of the TFCC on wrist arthroscopy. Of the 8 patients with a foveal tear on DRUJ arthroscopy, only 3 had a preoperative physical examination suggestive of DRUJ instability. Magnetic resonance imaging identified foveal injuries in 4 of these 8 patients (sensitivity, 50%), and 3 of these were identified as only partial tears. Dynamic CT identified instability of DRUJ in 6 of 8 patients (sensitivity, 75%). Seven of 8 patients had imaging findings suggestive of a foveal tear when including either MRI or CT imaging (sensitivity, 88%). Of the 4 patients with an intact foveal attachment on arthroscopy, 3 (specificity, 75%) had a stable DRUJ on CT and all 4 (specificity, 100%) had an intact foveal attachment on MRI. Sixty-two percent of patients with foveal tears on arthroscopy have a stable DRUJ on clinical examination. When combining MRI and dynamic CT imaging of the DRUJ, the sensitivity of detecting a foveal TFCC tear approaches 88% compared with a gold standard of wrist arthroscopy.

Foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex pathology: a potentially under-recognized injury.

The primary aim of the present study was to present a case series of 24 patients with foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries that were treated with arthroscopically assisted TFCC foveal repair. In total, 19 patients had a stable distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) and five had an unstable DRUJ. Despite this, all patients were found to have a foveal tear upon DRUJ arthroscopy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans detected only eight out of 23 patients with foveal injuries. In addition to their foveal injury, 19 of the 24 patients had additional pathology that required treatment. At a mean follow-up of 18 months, there was a statistically significant improvement in pain, range of motion, grip strength and functional scores. In this study, we demonstrate that having a stable DRUJ upon clinical examination and normal MRI findings does not rule out foveal TFCC injury and a high index of clinical suspicion is needed when managing patients with ulnar sided wrist pain.Level of evidence: IV.

Structurally intact and functionally incompetent foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries : an under-recognized spectrum of injury.

Injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) may result in ulnar wrist pain with or without instability. One component of the TFCC, the radioulnar ligaments, serve as the primary soft-tissue stabilizer of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). Tears or avulsions of its proximal, foveal attachment are thought to be associated with instability of the DRUJ, most noticed during loaded pronosupination. In the absence of detectable instability, injury of the foveal insertion of the radioulnar ligaments may be overlooked. While advanced imaging techniques such as MRI and radiocarpal arthroscopy are well-suited for diagnosing central and distal TFCC tears, partial and complete foveal tears without instability may be missed without a high degree of suspicion. While technically challenging, DRUJ arthroscopy provides the most accurate method of detecting foveal abnormalities. In this annotation the spectrum of foveal injuries is discussed and a modified classification scheme is proposed.Cite this article: Bone Joint J2023;105-B(1):5-10.

Distal radioulnar joint instability: current concepts of treatment.

Distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability is often an underestimated or missed lesion which may entail fatal consequences. The triangular fibrocartilage complex is a biomechanically very important stabilizer of the DRUJ and guarantees unrestricted range of motion of the forearm. To detect DRUJ instability a systematic examination is of uppermost importance. The contralateral healthy arm will be used for comparison during clinical examination. X-rays are required to exclude osseous lesions or deformities. Computed tomography of both wrists in neutral forearm rotation, supination, and pronation may be necessary to verify DRUJ instability in ambiguous situations. Following a systematic clinical examination wrist and DRUJ arthroscopy detects lesions definitely. Tears of the distal radioulnar ligaments which entail DRUJ instability should be repaired preferably anatomically. Ulnar-sided ligament ruptures which cause instability are detected more often than radial-sided ones. Osseous ligament avulsions are mostly refixated osteosynthetically. Ligamentous tears of the distal radioulnar ligaments may be reconstructed using anchor suture or transosseous refixation. Secondary procedures such as tendon transplants are necessary for anatomical reconstruction in cases of unrepairable ligament tears.

Arthroscopic reduction of an irreducible distal radioulnar joint in Galeazzi fracture-dislocation due to a fragment of the ulnar styloid: a case report

BackgroundThere are only a few published case reports of irreducible Galeazzi fracture-dislocation, and patients in these studies had undergone reduction by open surgical methods. Arthroscopy for the distal radioulnar joint of the wrist joint has recently been used for wrist pathology. We aim to describe the surgical procedure involved in arthroscopic reduction of irreducible Galeazzi fracture-dislocation and clinical outcome and review the literature.Case presentationWe present the case of a 26-year-old man, a professional athlete, who sustained Galeazzi fracture-dislocation during a bicycle race. The distal radioulnar joint was irreducible because the fragment of the ulnar styloid was trapped between the sigmoid notch and ulnar head after a doctor had previously reduced it manually. Operative treatment was performed using a 30° oblique, 1.9-mm arthroscope. Reduction of the fragment of the ulnar styloid was achieved using distal radioulnar joint arthroscopy. The metaphyseal and intra-articular fracture of the radius and the fragment of the ulnar styloid were fixed using a volar locking plate and tension band wiring technique, respectively. A daily injection of parathyroid hormone and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound were used postoperatively. The patient was asymptomatic and returned to the preinjury level of athletic activity 2 months postoperatively, and bone union of the radius and ulna was achieved without distal radioulnar joint instability 15 months postoperatively.ConclusionsLess invasive reduction of the dorsal anatomical structure enabled our patient to return early to sports. We consider arthroscopic reduction to be superior to the open surgical method in terms of evaluating interpositions; additionally, arthroscopic reduction is minimally invasive and does not need immobilization because it does not cause significant damage to the dorsal capsule and subsheath of the extensor carpi ulnaris, which comprise the triangular fibrocartilage complex.

Stabilizing Effect of Ulnar Shortening Procedure for DRUJ Instability

Ulnar shortening is widely indicated for ulnocarpal abutment syndrome with positive-variance wrist. It also stabilizes the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) because of tightening effect on the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), as long as either the dorsal or palmar portion of the radioulnar ligament (RUL) is attached to the ulnar fovea. In clinical practice, it is very important to check the condition of the RUL through DRUJ arthroscopy, when the ulnar shortening was indicated for DRUJ instability cases. We retrospectively analyzed our case series.

Arthroscopic foveal repair of the triangular fibrocartilage complex.

Background Foveal disruption of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is associated with distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability. TFCC fixation onto the fovea is the suitable treatment, which is not achieved by conventional arthroscopic techniques. We describe an all-inside arthroscopic technique that uses a suture anchor through distal DRUJ arthroscopy for foveal repair of the TFCC. Materials and Methods Forty-eight patients with TFCC foveal tear and DRUJ instability were selected according to the Atzei-European Wrist Arthroscopy Society (EWAS) algorithm of treatment. Retrospective evaluation included pain, DRUJ instability, range of motion (ROM), grip strength, Modified Mayo Wrist Score (MMWS), and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) Score. Description of Technique DRUJ arthroscopy was performed to débride the TFCC and the foveal area. Under arthroscopic guidance, a suture anchor was inserted via the distal foveal portal to repair the TFCC onto the fovea. Sutures were tied on the radiocarpal surface of the TFCC. Postoperative immobilization of forearm rotation was maintained for 4 weeks. Heavy tasks were allowed after 3 months. Results After a mean follow-up of 33 months, pain improved significantly but remained moderate in four patients, severe in one. DRUJ instability resolved in 44 patients. Wrist ROM increased. Grip strength, MMWS, and DASH score improved significantly. Excellent and good MMWS equaled 83.3%. Forty-one patients (85.5%) resumed previous work and sport activities. As a postoperative complication, five patients experienced neuroapraxia of the dorsal sensory branch of the ulnar nerve (DSBUN) with full spontaneous recovery. Conclusions With appropriate indications and patient selection, arthroscopic foveal repair of the TFCC may restore DRUJ stability and provide satisfactory results without significant complications.

Arthroscopy of the distal radioulnar joint.

Wrist arthroscopy is now widely indicated for diagnosis and treatment of acute or chronic wrist pain, especially for triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) lesions, as a gold standard. In most cases radiocarpal and midcarpal arthroscopy was performed, while DRUJ arthroscopy has been rarely performed because of its difficulties. Recent anatomic and biomechanical studies demonstrated that the radioulnar ligament (RUL), which is the proximal component of the TFCC facing to the DRUJ, is the primary stabilizer of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). Rupture of the radioulnar ligament (RUL) at the fovea area, where it is the main attaching portion to the ulna and is the isometric point during forearm rotation as the rotation axis passes, is responsible for DRUJ instability. Although physical examination and imaging diagnosis may indicate a foveal detachment of the TFCC, DRUJ arthroscopy is potential for visualizing the RUL at the fovea. Role of DRUJ arthroscopy should be more important not only for diagnosis of rupture of the RUL but also for decision making of treatment option for RUL tear. DRUJ arthroscopy also demonstrates the joint surface of both the sigmoid notch and ulnar head, and the proximal surface of the TFCC.

Radiographic and Arthroscopic Assessment of DRUJ Instability Due to Foveal Avulsion of the Radioulnar Ligament in Distal Radius Fractures

Background As the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) anchors the distal radius to the ulna via the radioulnar ligament (RUL), a severely displaced distal fragment of the radius may be associated with a foveal avulsion of the TFCC. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess, radiographically and arthroscopically, the relationship between displacement of the radius, the ulnar styloid, and avulsion of the RUL resulting in distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability. Materials and Methods Twenty-nine wrists of 29 patients with intra- and extra-articular distal radius fractures/malunion who underwent reduction or a corrective osteotomy of the displaced/malunited fracture, and/or wrist arthroscopy, were assessed radiographically and arthroscopically. Radial translation, radial inclination, radial shortening, volar or dorsal tilt, and the presence of an ulnar styloid fracture with more than 4 mm of displacement were measured from the initial films. Radiocarpal arthroscopy was used to assess peripheral lesions of the TFCC, while DRUJ arthroscopy was used to assess the foveal attachment. The relationship between displacement of the distal radius or the ulnar styloid fracture and the TFCC injury, including avulsion of the RUL, was recorded. Results Univariate analysis revealed that increased radial translation, decreased radial inclination, increased radial shortening, and an ulnar styloid fragment radially displaced by more than 4 mm were significant predictors of RUL avulsion at the fovea. Volar or dorsal tilt of the radius and ulnar variance did not correlate with RUL avulsion or TFCC injuries. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that radial translation was an independent risk factor of foveal avulsion of the RUL. Conclusions Increased radial translation and radial shortening and decreased radial inclination of the distal fragment can be associated with a foveal avulsion of the RUL. Radial translation can be an independent risk factor of foveal avulsion of the RUL.

Current Innovations in Wrist Arthroscopy

It has become clear that the stability of the scapholunate joint does not depend wholly on the scapholunate interosseous ligament, but rather on both primary and secondary stabilizers, which form a scapholunate ligament complex. Each case of scapholunate instability is unique and should be treated with tissue-specific repairs, which may partly explain why one procedure cannot successfully restore joint stability in every case. Wrist arthroscopy has a pivotal role in both the assessment and treatment of the scapholunate ligament complex derangements. Tears of the foveal attachment of the triangular fibrocartilaginous complex can be an underdiagnosed cause of distal radioulnar joint instability, because the foveal fibers cannot be visualized using the standard radiocarpal arthroscopy portals. Distal radioulnar joint arthroscopy allows for direct visualization and assessment of these fibers, which in turn has spawned a number of open and arthroscopic repair methods. Wrist arthroscopy has gained wider acceptance as a method to fine-tune articular reduction during open and percutaneous fixation of distal radius fractures, and simplifies intra-articular osteotomies for malunion. It can facilitate percutaneous bone grafting of scaphoid nonunions and has a role in the diagnosis and treatment of associated soft tissue lesions. These and other recent developments will be discussed in the following article.

ULNAR-SIDED WRIST PAIN DUE TO ISOLATED DISK TEAR OF TRIANGULAR FIBROCARTILAGE COMPLEX WITHIN THE DISTAL RADIOULNAR JOINT: TWO CASE REPORTS

Wrist arthroscopy has been successfully used with many modifications and improvements. However, distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) arthroscopy is still uncommon. We experienced 2 cases of ulnar-sided wrist pain due to isolated triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) disk tear within the DRUJ. DRUJ arthroscopy in these cases showed horizontal tear and fibrillation of TFCC disk without TFCC tear at the radiocarpal joint. Foveal attachment was intact in both cases. These were treated with debridement, which relieved pain after surgery and achieved good functional recovery. Although DRUJ arthroscopy is technically difficult, it is mandatory for making a diagnosis and treating ulnar-sided wrist pain.

Importance of distal radioulnar joint arthroscopy for evaluating the triangular fibrocartilage complex

BackgroundThe present study evaluated the importance of visualizing both sides of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) when diagnosing ulnar wrist pain. MethodsA total of 20 patients with ulnar wrist pain who underwent both radiocarpal joint (RCJ) and distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) arthroscopy were studied retrospectively. TFCC was graded as normal or as having wear or tear. The definitive diagnosis was made by evaluating the TFCC from both joints. The medical records were reviewed to document the preoperative diagnosis, arthroscopic findings, postoperative diagnosis, and operative procedure(s) performed after the arthroscopic examinations. The patients’ status at final follow-up was evaluated using the modified Green and O’Brien wrist scoring system. The TFCC grading on RCJ and DRUJ arthroscopies was compared. ResultsThe final diagnosis was modified after arthroscopic examination in three cases (15%). In six patients (30%), DRUJ arthroscopy revealed pathological TFCC findings that could not be detected on RCJ arthroscopy. The DRUJ arthroscopy detected wear or degenerative changes seen only on the proximal aspect of the TFCC in four patients and tear in two patients. On the other hand, in only one patient (5%) were there no pathological findings observed from the DRUJ portal, although RCJ arthroscopy found wear. In eight patients (45%), the arthroscopic grading of TFCC was the same on RCJ and DRUJ arthroscopy; of these, the TFCC was graded as normal in one patient, showing wear in three patients, and with a tear in five patients. For diagnosing TFCC pathology, RCJ arthroscopy had a sensitivity of 68% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 14%, whereas the sensitivity was 95% and the NPV was 50% for DRUJ. ConclusionsAdding DRUJ arthroscopy to RCJ arthroscopy enables more accurate diagnosis of TFCC pathology because the proximal aspect of the articular disk and the foveal insertion of the distal radioulnar ligament can be visualized.

ARTHROSCOPIC VISUALISATION OF THE DISTAL RADIOULNAR JOINT

The diagnosis of chronic wrist pain is challenging and wrist arthroscopy has been recognised as the "gold standard". The present study investigated the efficacy of adding distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) arthroscopy to routine wrist arthroscopy. The records of 67 patients who underwent DRUJ arthroscopy were reviewed, and the success rates for visualisation of intra-articular structures were determined. Pathological findings were correlated with ulnar-side wrist pain. In seven patients, pre-operative diagnoses were altered after DRUJ arthroscopy. The ulnar head and proximal surface of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) were visualised in 100% and 99% of patients, respectively, while the foveal insertion of TFCC and sigmoid notch were visualised in 57% and 69%, respectively. Pathological findings of the proximal surface of TFCC tended to relate to ulnar wrist pain (p = 0.06). DRUJ arthroscopy should be included in routine wrist arthroscopy to enhance the accuracy of diagnosis.