Abstract
The present study was carried out to evaluate the postoperative curative result of arthroscopic partial excision, one of the treatment techniques for injury of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tissues in the wrist joint. The indications for this technique are reported. Of 55 patients who underwent arthroscopic examinations during the past 5 years, 24 had suffered from injury of TFCC tissues, 18 of whom underwent arthroscopic partial excision and were selected for this study. Pain, range of motion in the wrist joint, grip strength and roentgenographic finding were evaluated through direct physical examinations. Traumatic rupture was noted in 13 patients (average age; 27 years) and degenerative rupture in 5 (average age; 40 years). The curative result for traumatic rupture was excellent in 10 cases, good in 1 and poor in 2. The result for degenerative rupture was excellent in 1 case and poor in 4. When the pationts were graded according to Palmer's classification, of 11 patients who had excellent results, 6 were classified as Class 1D, 3 as Class 1A, 1 as Class 1B and 1 as Class 2C. Ulnar variant was positive in 10 patients, neutral in 6, and negative in 2. Average ulnar variant was positive in 10 patients, neutral in 6, and negative in 2. Average ulnar variance was 0.6mm in 11 patients who had excellent results and 2.5mm in 6 patients who had poor results.
It is considered that the arthroscopic partial excision was effective in patients classified as Class 1D and 1A and other methods of treatment should be applied to patients showing ulnar variance of more than 2.5mm.
