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J Wrist Surg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1756499
Procedure

Symptomatic Radial-Sided Tears of the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex: An All-Arthroscopic Repair Using Bone Anchors

Muntasir M. Choudhury 
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
2   Department of Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
3   SingHealth Duke-NUS Musculoskeletal Sciences ACP, Singapore, Singapore
,
Robert T. J. Yap 
2   Department of Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
3   SingHealth Duke-NUS Musculoskeletal Sciences ACP, Singapore, Singapore
,
Dawn S. Y. Chia
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
,
Suraj Sajeev
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
,
Ghulam S. Alizada
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
,
Jackson K. H. Jiang 
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
2   Department of Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
3   SingHealth Duke-NUS Musculoskeletal Sciences ACP, Singapore, Singapore
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Abstract

Radial-sided tears of the triangular fibrocartilage, though uncommon, can still be a reason for ulnar-sided wrist pain, and, at times, instability of the distal radioulnar joint. Historically, it has been believed that because of the paucity of vascularity along the radial edge of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), any form of repair will not lead to healing, thus stating it to be an exercise in futility. Current literature deftly argues against this previously prevailing concept and supports the need of repair in case of symptomatic radial-sided TFCC tears. In our study, we describe an all-arthroscopic technique of repairing radial-sided tears using a bone anchor which can be a fast and simple procedure in the hands of an orthopaedic or hand surgeon trained in arthroscopy. This technique also circumvents the risk of injuring the superficial radial nerve and other radial-sided structures which are stated complications of the current arthroscopic repairs.

Keywords

arthroscopy - triangular fibrocartilage complex - DRUJ - radial-sided TFCC tears - ulnar-sided wrist pain


Publication History

Received: 06 May 2022

Accepted: 30 June 2022

Article published online:
09 November 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

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