Clinical retrospective evaluation of the arthroscopic treatments of the triangular fibrocartilage complex of the wrist

Objectives. - The aim of this study is the retrospective clinical evaluation of the arthroscopic treatments for triangular fibrocartilage complex tears. Methods. - Between 2003 and 2010, 76 patients with a traumatic lesion (Palmer type 1) and 25 patients with a degenerative lesion (Palmer type 2) of the triangular fibrocartilage complex underwent wrist arthroscopy. Clinical evaluations were based on the Mayo Modified Wrist Score (MMWS), on a compared measurement of the grip force and on a measurement of the different ranges of motion. We also made a subjective evaluation of the benefit brought by arthroscopy and a retrospective evaluation of the pre and postoperative pain. Results. - Mean MMWS was 86.3 for traumatic lesions and 83 for degenerative lesions. Mean grip force was 84.8 (Palmer type I) and 84.2 (Palmer type 2) compared to the controlateral side. Mean ranges of flexion-extension, prosupination and radioulnar motions were 135, 164 and 56 respectively for traumatic lesions and 130, 156 and 54 respectively for degenerative lesions. Ninety-four percent of the operated patients reported an improvement of the symptomatology with better results for type 1 (98.7%) compared to type 2 (80%). We noted a clear diminution of the postoperative pain compared to the preoperative's one with frequently some mild persistent pain however. Conclusions. - Arthroscopic treatments of the triangular fibrocartilage complex seem to be effective with an improvement of the symptomatology. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.