Purpose
Arthroscopic repair is performed for fovea injuries of the triangular fibrocartilage
complex (TFCC) when instability of the distal radioulnar joint results in pain, decreased
grip strength, and mechanical symptoms. During TFCC repair, reconstruction of its
attachment to the fovea is important. Nonabsorbent suture tapes have gained attention
for ligament repair in the trapeziometacarpal joint, scapholunate ligament, and thumb
metacarpophalangeal ligament. However, there are no reports of TFCC repair using suture
tapes. We evaluated the early postoperative results of this approach.
Methods
Participants underwent arthroscopic suture tape repair of foveal TFCC tears and were
observed for more than 1 year. All repairs were performed using suture tapes and an
outside-in technique with a bone tunnel from the ulnar shaft to the fovea. The postoperative
complications, postoperative wrist range of motion, grip strength, and the Modified
Mayo Score were evaluated.
Results
Arthroscopic repair with a suture tape was performed for 20 hands using the outside-in
technique. The ranges of motion for the operated and nonoperated hands were comparable
1 year after surgery (pronation, 84° ± 4°; supination, 83° ± 4°). The mean grip strength
improved from 65% ± 13% before surgery to 89% ± 9% after a year. The mean Modified
Mayo Score improved from 58 ± 11 before surgery to 91 ± 8 after a year. Postoperative
complications included abnormal sensation of the dorsal ulnar side in 2 hands.
Conclusions
After using a suture tape to attach the TFCC to the fovea, satisfactory function was
achieved in the early postoperative period with grip strength restoration. For the
repair of foveal TFCC tears, attachment to the ulnar fovea is important, and repair
by a suture tape may be useful.
Type of study/level of evidence
Therapeutic IV.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 23, 2023
Accepted:
September 15,
2022
Received:
February 12,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofFootnotes
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2023 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.
