Palmar radiocarpal dislocation resulting in ulnar radiocarpal translocation and multidirectional instability

Posttraumatic ulnar radiocarpal translation is a rare, often subtle, highly unstable, and potentially devastating manifestation of severe "proximal radiocarpal ligamentous instability. Radiocarpal dislocation should alert the treating physician to the risks of the spectrum of radiocarpal instabilities. Radiocarpal instability may initially be masked or unappreciated owing to presentation without radiocarpal dislocation, local pain and swelling, initially normal standard wrist radiographs, lack of recognition, or delay in the appearance of a static lesion. The specificity, sequence, and extent of extrinsic radiocarpal and ulnocarpal ligament traumatic disruptions are not fully understood, vary with injury severity, and may differ in instances of dorsal as opposed to palmar subluxation or dislocation. Multidirectional (global) wrist instability typically accompanies this ulnar radiocarpal instability in its most severe form and consequences may be dire. The carpus may be difficult to reduce or maintain owing to marked instability, compressive forces across the wrist, and soft tissue or bony fragment interposition. Additional local distal radioulnar joint or intercarpal injuries may further confound stability and require their own specific and simultaneous treatment. Radiocarpal reduction and repair of the radioscaphocapitate ligament and radiolunate ligaments may be sufficient treatment for acute isolated palmar radiocarpal instability. Temporary K-wire fixation may be added as a precaution to prevent palmar carpal subluxation during the time of ligament healing. Radiocarpal reduction, palmar and dorsal soft-tissue repair, and temporary K-wire fixation comprise one method of treatment for early recognized cases of post-traumatic ligamentous ulnar radiocarpal transposition. Halikis et al have recommended radiolunate arthrodesis. Rayhack et al have suggested that limited or complete wrist arthrodesis may be indicated for patients with delayed presentation or in acute cases with extreme instability. Wrist arthrodesis is one means of management for patients with severe radiocarpal instability confounded by distal radioulnar joint or intercarpal instability, as seen in our patient. Damaged ligaments may have a poor blood supply and often may not hold sutures or heal well. Bone anchor sutures or some type of ligament augmentation may help to restore joint stability in some patients. Loss of stability may occur later owing to ligamentous laxity or inadequate soft-tissue healing. Radiolunate, radiocarpal, or complete wrist arthrodesis may be necessary to relieve pain, restore wrist alignment and stability, and reestablish extremity function for patients with chronic radiocarpal instability. Wrist symptoms, age, general health, hand dominance, and occupation may be among the factors that influence the necessity for and timing of reconstruction. Rayhack et al have also postulated that negative ulnar variance may accommodate the occurrence of ulnar radiocarpal translocation and confound repair owing to lack of buttress at the ulnocarpal joint. They further speculated that a joint leveling procedure might improve the support for ligamentous repair or reconstruction in these cases. Permanent functional impairment must be anticipated in patients with ulnar radiocarpal instability. Impairment has typically been commensurate with the extent of the initial lesion, additional confounding local lesions, and length of follow-up.     

Management of acute triangular fibrocartilage complex injury of the wrist

Acute trauma to the triangular fibrocartilage complex includes tears of the fibrocartilage articular disk substance and meniscal homolog as well as radioulnar ligament avulsions, with or without an associated fracture. Patient evaluation includes clinical examination, imaging studies, and wrist arthroscopy (diagnostic). The Palmer classification is typically used to define injuries to the triangular fibrocartilage complex. The critical distinction is in differentiating injuries that produce instability of the distal radioulnar joint from those that do not. Also important is the recognition of acute injuries in the context of an ongoing degenerative pattern (ie, Palmer class 2 lesions). Nonsurgical management includes temporary splint immobilization of the wrist and forearm, oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroid joint injection, and physical therapy. Surgical strategies include débridement, acute repair, and subacute repair. Most surgical procedures can be performed arthroscopically. However, open ligament repair may be needed in the setting of distal radioulnar joint instability.     

Begutachtung der SL- und LT-Band-Schäden

In terms of function, the wrist is a taut ring-like structure with a rotationally balanced lunate bone. The scaphoid and lunate bones as well as the lunate and triquetral bones are all joined by a U-shaped ligament, the three parts of which are strongest at the dorsal scapholunate (SL) ligament and the palmar lunotriquetral (LT) ligament. An SL- or LT-ligament rupture breaks down the ring-like structure. Due to torsional stability in the intercalated segment, DISI (dorsal intercalated segment instability) or PISI (volar intercalated segment instability) occur in the event of rupture of the LT and/or SL ligaments which, if left untreated, progress to carpal collapse. Static instability can be diagnosed radiologically, while diagnosis of dynamic instability requires cinematography, stress X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging or arthroscopy, the latter being the most reliable. The nature of the accident is also important in terms of an expert opinion, since there are only a few mechanisms which lead to rupture of the SL or LT ligaments. SL- and/or LT-ligament tears frequently occur as concomitant injuries in the case of distal radial or perilunar fractures, among other hand injury complexes.     

Biomechanical evaluation of the ligamentous stabilizers of the scaphoid and lunate: part III

PURPOSE: This study continued our previous investigations of the ligaments stabilizing the scaphoid and lunate in which we examined the scapholunate interosseous ligament, the radioscaphocapitate, and the scaphotrapezial ligament. In this current study, we examined the effects of sectioning the dorsal radiocarpal ligament, dorsal intercarpal ligament, scapholunate interosseous ligament, radioscaphocapitate, and scaphotrapezial ligaments. In the current study, the scapholunate interosseous ligament, radioscaphocapitate, and scaphotrapezial ligaments were sectioned in a different order than performed previously. METHODS: Three sets of 8 cadaver wrists were tested in a wrist joint motion simulator. In each set of wrists, only 3 of the 5 ligaments were cut in specific sequences. Each wrist was moved in continuous cycles of flexion-extension and radial-ulnar deviation. Kinematic data for the scaphoid and lunate were recorded for each wrist in the intact state, after the 3 ligaments were sectioned in various sequences and after the wrist was moved through 1,000 cycles of motion. RESULTS: Dividing the dorsal intercarpal or scaphotrapezial ligaments did not alter the motion of the scaphoid or lunate. Dividing the dorsal radiocarpal ligament alone caused a slight statistical increase in lunate radial deviation. Dividing the scapholunate interosseous ligament after first dividing the dorsal intercarpal, dorsal radiocarpal, or scaphotrapezial ligaments caused large increases in scaphoid flexion and lunate extension. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, we concluded that the scapholunate interosseous ligament is the primary stabilizer and that the other ligaments are secondary stabilizers of the scapholunate articulation. Dividing the dorsal radiocarpal, dorsal intercarpal, or scaphotrapezial ligaments after cutting the scapholunate interosseous ligament produces further changes in scapholunate instability or results in changes in the kinematics for a larger portion of the wrist motion cycle.     

Treatment of dorsal perilunate dislocations and fracture–dislocations using a standardized protocol

Background

The aims of this study were to evaluate the associated injuries occurring with acute perilunate instability and to assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes of perilunate dislocations and fracture–dislocations treated with a combined dorsal and volar approach.

Methods

A total of 45 patients (46 wrist injuries) with perilunate dislocations and fracture–dislocations were prospectively evaluated. The size of the mid-carpal ligament tear, the location of the scapholunate ligament tear, and the presence of osteochondral fragments and of the dorsal radiocarpal ligament avulsions were recorded at injury. Final clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated in 25 cases (25 wrists) with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up.

Results

Intraoperative examination of the 46 cases with operative treatment showed the volar carpal ligament tear to be present 100 % of the time and to be an average length of 3.4 cm. Complete avulsion of the dorsal extrinsic radiocarpal ligaments was found in 65.2 % of cases. The scapholunate ligament was torn in 35 cases. Osteochondral fragments were found either volarly or dorsally in 74 % of the cases. The average flexion–extension arc was 82°, forearm rotation was 155°, and grip strength averaged 59 % of the uninjured hand. The average final scapholunate angle was 55° and the scapholunate gap was 2.2 mm.

Conclusion

Treatment of perilunate fracture–dislocations with a combined volar and dorsal approach results in reasonable and functional clinical results. The incidence of associated injuries with these carpal dislocations is high. Although the perilunate fracture–dislocations have a slightly better radiologic alignment than the dislocation group, the clinical outcome is similar.     

Carpal instability nondissociative

Carpal instability nondissociative (CIND) represents a spectrum of conditions characterized by kinematic dysfunction of the proximal carpal row, often associated with a clinical "clunk." CIND is manifested at the midcarpal and/or radiocarpal joints, and it is distinguished from carpal instability dissociative (CID) by the lack of disruption between bones within the same carpal row. There are four major subcategories of CIND: palmar, dorsal, combined, and adaptive. In palmar CIND, instability occurs across the entire proximal carpal row. When nonsurgical management fails, surgical options include arthroscopic thermal capsulorrhaphy, soft-tissue reconstruction, or limited radiocarpal or intercarpal fusions. In dorsal CIND, the capitate subluxates dorsally from its reduced resting position. Dorsal CIND usually responds to nonsurgical management; refractory cases respond to palmar ligament reefing and/or dorsal intercarpal capsulodesis. Combined CIND demonstrates signs of both palmar and dorsal CIND and can be treated with soft-tissue or bony procedures. In adaptive CIND, the volar carpal ligaments are slackened and are less capable of inducing the physiologic shift of the proximal carpal row from flexion into extension as the wrist ulnarly deviates. Treatment of choice is a corrective osteotomy to restore the normal volar tilt of the distal radius.     

The effect of sectioning the dorsal radiocarpal ligament and insertion of a pressure sensor into the radiocarpal joint on scaphoid and lunate kinematics.

The role of the dorsal radiocarpal wrist ligament has been the subject of several investigations. Several biomechanical studies have used sensors inserted dorsally into the wrist joint to evaluate its pressure distribution. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a dorsal capsulotomy that sections the dorsal radiocarpal ligament or insertion of a flexible pressure sensor alters scaphoid or lunate kinematics. Eight cadaver upper extremities were instrumented with motion sensors and placed in a wrist joint simulator. Each arm was moved through continual cycles of wrist flexion/extension and radial/ulnar deviation. Motion data were obtained in the intact state, after a capsulotomy, and after insertion of the sensor. We found that either a dorsal capsulotomy sectioning the dorsal radiocarpal ligament or insertion of the pressure sensor alters scaphoid and lunate kinematics during dynamic wrist motion. This study supports the clinical belief that this dorsal wrist ligament should be spared during surgical approaches to the carpus.     

The occult dorsal carpal ganglion

Chronic wrist pain has many causes, the diagnosis of which is often difficult. Clinical and anatomical research in this area has replaced the diagnosis of "wrist sprain" with a differential diagnosis including carpal chondromalacia, dynamic carpal instability, positive and negative ulnar variance, triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries, and early carpal avascular necrosis. The ubiquitous dorsal ganglion can also cause chronic wrist discomfort and the diagnosis of "occult dorsal carpal ganglion" should be included in the differential diagnosis. Nine patients with chronic wrist pain were diagnosed clinically as having an occult dorsal carpal ganglion despite the absence of a palpable mass. Each was treated by limited dorsal capsulectomy with excision of a small portion of the dorsal scapho-lunate ligament, and small intracapsular ganglia and/or cystic mucinous degeneration of the capsule were found in all nine patients. Of the eight patients available for follow-up examination, the preoperative pain was relieved in seven of the eight and no recurrences were noted at follow-up averaging six months.     

The role of midcarpal arthroscopy in the diagnosis of disorders of the wrist.

The findings of midcarpal versus radiocarpal arthroscopic examinations were compared in the diagnosis of a variety of wrist pathology in 89 patients. During 15 months 89 midcarpal arthroscopic examinations were performed in conjunction with radiocarpal arthroscopic examinations. Eighty-one wrists underwent arthroscopy for acute or chronic intracarpal instability. Eight wrists underwent arthroscopy for arthroscopy-assisted intra-articular distal radius fracture reduction. In the acute wrist instability group midcarpal arthroscopy added to the radiocarpal diagnosis in 21 of 26 (82%) of the wrists. In the chronic wrist instability group midcarpal arthroscopy added to the radiocarpal diagnosis in 46 of 55 (84%) of the wrists. In the distal radius group 5 of 8 wrists had additional pathology on the midcarpal arthroscopy examination, leading to additional surgical intervention. These results demonstrate that midcarpal arthroscopy added statistically significant information to the radiocarpal examination compared with wrist arthroscopy performed without a midcarpal examination.     

Dorsal Wrist Extrinsic Carpal Ligament Injury Exacerbates Volar Radiocarpal Instability After Intra-Articular Distal Radius Fracture

Background: Volar radiocarpal instability is often seen after loss of fixation of volar lunate facet fragments. The pathogenesis of post-traumatic volar radiocarpal instability is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to determine if injury to the dorsal wrist extrinsic carpal ligaments contributes to volar radiocarpal instability. Methods: Six matched pairs of cadaveric upper extremities were tested using a dynamic hand testing system. In group 1, the intact wrist, the wrist with a volar lunate facet fracture, and the fractured wrist after 500 cycles of grip were tested. In group 2, in addition to the intact and fractured wrist, the fractured wrist with the dorsal extrinsic carpal ligaments cut and the fractured wrist with the dorsal extrinsic carpal ligaments cut after 500 cycles of grip were also tested. Volar-dorsal displacement of the lunate was measured from 45° wrist flexion to 45° wrist extension in 22.5° increments with the wrist flexors/extensors loaded for each condition. Results: Volar lunate translation did not significantly increase after the volar lunate facet fracture alone, and was not evident to a significant extent until the dorsal wrist extrinsic carpal ligaments were cut. Further instability of the lunate occurred after grip cycling only with the dorsal extrinsic capsular ligaments cut. Conclusions: Injury to the dorsal wrist extrinsic carpal ligaments exacerbates volar radiocarpal instability. Unrecognized dorsal sided injury may be a contributing factor to why stable fixation of volar lunate facet fragments remains problematic after volar plating of intra-articular distal radius fractures with displaced volar lunate facet fragments.     

腕尺桡偏运动时腕韧带长度变化的活体研究

目的 研究腕关节在尺桡偏运动过程中,腕关节韧带长度的变化.方法 对6名志愿者腕关节进行CT扫描,获得腕关节在桡偏20°至尺偏40°内每隔20°的运动范围内各腕骨及尺桡骨远段三维重建图像.男3名,女3名,仅研究单侧右侧腕关节.年龄20～32岁,平均24岁.在腕关节尺桡偏运动过程中,在重建各腕骨及尺桡骨结构图像上以软件测量掌、背侧腕韧带的长度.结果 腕关节尺偏时桡舟头韧带、长桡月韧带、背侧腕间韧带止于舟骨、大多角骨和小多角骨部分的长度较中立位显著伸长,分别伸长(2.4±0.3)mm、(2.3±0.8)mm、(1.2±0.6)mm、(1.2±1.2)mm与(2.6±1.0)mm,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);腕关节桡偏时尺头韧带与背侧桡腕韧带长度显著伸长(P＜0.05),分别为(0.8±0.6)mm和(1.0±0.5)mm.结论 在腕关节尺桡偏运动时,桡舟头韧带、长桡月韧带、背侧腕间韧带于桡偏位缩短,尺头韧带、背侧桡腕韧带长度于尺偏位缩短.这些位置可能使不同腕韧带张力降低,有利于损伤韧带的修复.     

Lunate-triquetral and midcarpal joint instability.

Instability of the ulnar side of carpus centers around the triquetrum, which is suspended by the ulnar triquetral ligaments and supported proximally by the TFCC. The triquetrum guides the lunate by an interosseous membrane and stout palmar ligaments that provide a relatively rigid connection between the two bones. Disruption of the LT ligament is frequently associated with pathology in the ulnar carpal area and may progress to triquetral instability, VISI, and finally, degenerative arthritic changes on the ulnar side of the carpus. The diagnosis of LT injuries is made by stress radiographs, arthrography, video-fluoroscopy, and arthroscopy. Treatment is initially nonoperative, but if symptoms persist, surgery is warranted. Arthroscopic debridement and pinning the LT joint, ligament repair or reconstruction, and intercarpal arthrodesis have all been reported as successful treatments. For the chronic problem confined to the LT joint, a limited intercarpal arthrodesis of the joint is the most predictable procedure for relieving pain without causing any significant restrictions in wrist motions. When there is a dissociation pattern in addition to LT instability, a more extensive intercarpal arthrodesis is required. Midcarpal instability occurs at the triquetral-hamate joint and is characterized by a dynamic subluxation of the joint. During ulnar deviation, the joint undergoes an exaggerated shift from volar flexion to dorsiflexion. Supportive care is generally successful; although in chronic cases, a midcarpal joint arthrodesis is often required.     

伴月骨周围不稳定的舟骨骨折

目的：探讨日本名古屋地区伴月骨周围不稳定舟骨骨折的发生率、相关因素、诊断和治疗。方法：对11例经腕关节镜检查确认系伴月骨周围韧带损伤的病例进行了回顾性研究，分析其临床特点、治疗方法和疗效。结果：舟骨骨折中，合并舟月或月三角韧带损伤的发生率为20．4％，其韧带损伤与左腕受伤显著相关，63．6％合并近排腕骨背伸不稳定（dorsal intercalated segment instability,DISI), 仅有1例可见明显的舟月分离。通过对应治疗，其疗效与单纯舟骨骨折相比无明显差别。结论：伴月骨周围不稳定的舟骨骨折并不罕见，腕关节镜检查可提高其检出率，积极治疗可取得较好的疗效。     

Traumatic hemarthrosis in stable knees

A thorough arthroscopic examination was performed in 90 consecutive patients with sprained knee injuries with hemarthrosis, but without signs of instability or fracture. The source of bleeding was found in all but five joints. Thirty-nine injuries were tears of the cruciate ligament, only three of which were complete tears. Fourteen injuries were (osteo)chondral fractures and six were meniscal lesions. The remainder bled from the synovium or meniscal attachments. The arthroscopic examination resulted in an altered course of treatment in few, if any, of these patients.     

腕投掷运动时腕关节韧带长度变化的活体研究

目的 探讨腕关节在投掷运动过程中腕关节韧带长度的变化.方法 对6例志愿者腕关节进行CT扫描,获取腕关节在投掷运动过程中的5个位置,即桡偏20°背伸60°,桡偏10°背伸30°,中立位,尺偏20°掌屈30°,尺偏40°掌屈60°时各腕骨、尺桡骨远段的三维重建图像,在重建图像基础上利用Mimics软件测得在腕关节投掷运动过程中掌、背侧腕关节韧带的长度.结果 腕关节由中立位至桡偏20°背伸60°时桡舟头韧带、长桡月韧带、尺头韧带、尺三角韧带长度显著伸长,分别延长(3.4±0.5)、(2.0±0.2)、(2.6±0.5)、(2.1±0.4)mm,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);腕关节由中立位至尺偏400掌屈60°时背侧桡腕韧带、背侧骨间韧带止于小多角骨部分长度显著伸长,分别延长(1.7 ±0.2)、(3.8 ±0.4)mm,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).尺月韧带、背侧骨问韧带止于舟骨部分在投掷运动过程中其长度均较中立位时旱增长趋势.结论 腕关节在桡背伸至尺掌屈运动过程中,桡舟头韧带、长桡月韧带、尺头韧带、尺三角韧带缩短,提示张力减低,背侧桡腕韧带、背侧骨间韧带止于小多角骨部分伸长,张力增大,尺月韧带、背侧骨间韧带止于舟骨部分于中立位时张力最小,其变化规律有助于指导临床腕关节韧带损伤的修复.     

Traumatic hemarthrosis in stable knees

A thorough arthroscopic examination was performed in 90 consecutive patients with sprained knee injuries with hemarthrosis, but without signs of instability or fracture. The source of bleeding was found in all but five joints. Thirty-nine injuries were tears of the cruciate ligament, only three of which were complete tears. Fourteen injuries were (osteo)chondral fractures and six were meniscal lesions. The remainder bled from the synovium or meniscal attachments. The arthroscopic examination resulted in an altered course of treatment in few, if any, of these patients.     

Distal radioulnar joint arthroscopy and the volar ulnar portal

Pain on the ulnar side of the wrist remains poorly understood. As attention has shifted toward the myriad causes of ulnar-sided wrist pain, the utility of viewing the wrist from a volar ulnar (VU) perspective has emerged. Lunotriquetral ligament tears have been implicated in the pathogenesis of volar intercalated segmental instabilities. They often originate in the palmar subregion, which is most important for maintaining stability. These tears are difficult to visualize through the 4, 5, or 6R portals. They are well seen through a VU portal, and the direct line of sight facilitates debridement. The VU portal has potential use in the arthroscopic diagnosis and treatment of patients with injuries to the ulnar sling mechanism. It aids in triangular fibrocartilage repairs especially those involving the dorsal aspect between the ulnar styloid and the radial insertion, because the proximity of the 4, 5, and 6R portals makes triangulation of the instruments difficult. Although arthroscopy of the dorsal aspect of the distal radioulnar joint has been well described, it has largely remained a curiosity, with few clinical indications. Recent biomechanical studies have highlighted the importance of the deep attachment of the triangular fibrocartilage complex in maintaining distal radioulnar joint stability. The volar distal radioulnar portal is useful for assessing the foveal attachment. It may be used where there is the suspicion of a peripheral triangular fibrocartilage detachment due to a loss of its normal tension despite the lack of a visible tear during radiocarpal arthroscopy. The judicious use of these portals deserves consideration for inclusion as part of a thorough arthroscopic examination of selected patients with ulnar-sided wrist pain.     

Acute hand and wrist injuries in athletes: evaluation and management.

Acute hand and wrist injuries in the athlete constitute a unique orthopaedic challenge. Because of the particular demands on the athlete (e.g., financial implications, coaching and administration pressures, self-esteem issues), a specialized management approach is often necessary. Common sites of injury include the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint, proximal interphalangeal joint, metacarpals and phalanges, scaphoid, hamate, and distal radius. Treatment of these injuries varies depending on the patient's age, sport, position played, and level of competition, but departures from standard practice as regards surgery, rehabilitation, and return to competition should never compromise care.     

The role of radiocarpal injection arthrography and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the radiocarpal joint injection arthrography and magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries. METHODS: Thirteen cases whose main complaints were ulnar wrist pain were given radiocarpal joint arthrography and eight of them were also given magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating the integrity of the triangular fibrocartilage complex. RESULTS: Ten of thirteen cases presented the leakage of contrast medium to distal radioulnar joint from the radiocarpal joint, in whom, 8 were demonstrated triangular fibrocartilage tear on magnetic resonance imaging, and 3 located at radial side, 2 at central, 3 at ulnar side. One of three cases which were demonstrated without the leakage of contrast medium in arthrography were displayed with marked TFCC tear on magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSIONS: The wrist arthrography can provide a definite diagnosis for triangular fibrocartilage disruption with higher sensitivity. magnetic resonance imaging not only demonstrates the site of triangular fibrocartilage disruption as the same value as wrist arthrography, but also displays the other related bony and soft tissues changes.