Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the role of Blatt’s capsulodesis and scapholunate ligament repair in patients with chronic scapholunate instability. Methods: Nineteen (15 males, 4 females) patients with chronic scapholunate instability underwent surgical repair and dorsal capsulodesis. At a mean follow-up of 28 months, all patients were assessed to identify any improvement in analogue pain scores, grip strength, range of movement of wrist and overall result of surgery. Results: Pre-operative arthroscopic findings revealed a scapholunate gap of > 2mm and ease at visualising the capitate by passing the scope through the scapholunate interval confirming the diagnosis. Surgery consisted of repair of torn ligament and supplementary dorsal capsulodesis (Blatt’s technique). 12 patients (63%) had returned to normal working activities at pre-injury level. There was a marked improvement in level of pain (mean pain level= 8.7 pre-operative vs. 2.3 postoperative, p=0.003). Seventeen patients (89.5%) would recommend this operation to others with similar problems. Only one patient (5%) rated the results as worse off following surgical intervention. Statistically significant pain improvement and grip strength were noted. ROM of wrist did not improve in most patients. Conclusion: Treatment of the chronic scapholunate instability remains contentious. It is suggested early surgical intervention will benefit majority of the patients. Our result concluded that Blatt’s capsulodesis has a role in chronic scapholunate instability.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
