ULNOCARPAL ABUTMENT SYNDROME: ARTHROSCOPIC FINDINGS AND THE RESULTS OF MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Laboratory evidence has shown that tears within the substance of the triangular fibro-cartilaginous complex (TFCC) of the wrist are caused by shear and/or compressive forces rather that by distraction. They are commonly associated with ulnocarpal abutment syndrome (UCAS). A number of different methods of treatment have been advocated for UCAS but no satisfactory comparison of these has been reported.

To compare the results of different forms of treatment for UCAS. The notes of 76 patients who had undergone wrist arthroscopy for UCAS were reviewed independently. The diagnoses made at the time of the arthroscopies and any surgical interventions (shaving the torn TFCC back to stable tissue, wafer resection of the ulnar head, repair of the TFCC) that were made at the same time were recorded. The results of these interventions were noted, as were any subsequent surgical procedures for persisting pain. These results were compared with those of a meta- analysis of the results for similar procedures published in the literature.

All 76 patients had TFCC tears, four were repaired arthroscopically and the remainder underwent debridement. Nineteen of these had, in addition, arthroscopic wafer procedures carried out. Of the 53 who had only debridement 63% were graded as good or excellent. The remainder underwent formal ulnar recessions and 93% of these improved and were graded as good or excellent. Of the 19 who had wafer procedures 53% were graded as good or excellent. Seven (36%) of this group underwent ulnar recessions with five (66%) improving to be graded as good or excellent. There were no major complications such as infection, nonunion or failure of the internal fixation. Of the four cases in which the TFCCs were repaired arthroscopically, three were graded as good or excellent. One remained the same and underwent and ulnar recession and improved to be graded as good.

From the meta-analysis 72% of patients who were treated by debridement alone were graded as good or excellent, while 66% were good or excellent after debridement combined with a wafer procedure. The patients who were treated by ulnar recession had a larger proportion of good or excellent results with 92% reaching this level of satisfaction. From these results it was concluded that arthroscopic debridement of tears of the TFCC was effective treatment in a majority of patients. The arthroscopic wafer procedure was effective as long as adequate bone was resected. Persisting symptoms of UCAS were very adequately treated by ulnar recession.