Arthroscopic capsular anchoring repair in patients with peripherial injuries to the triangular fibrocartilage complex: functional outcomes at six months followup

Abstract

Introduction: Injuries to the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) are a frequent diagnosis in the practice of hand surgery. Standardized treatment depends on the level of involvement of the distal radio-ulnar ligaments (RCD) in the wrist.
Objectives: To describe the functional results of arthroscopic repair with capsular anchorage in patients with peripheral injuries to the TFCC and their postoperative evolution at 6 months followup.
Material and methods: Patients were included in a retrospective cohort, with a diagnosis of peripheral injury to the TFCC, treated by capsular anchorage, with a 6-month follow-up. The patients were evaluated from March 2018 to December 2020, using QuickDASH and the Mayo Wrist Score, before the surgical procedure, and at 3 and 6 months after surgery.
Results: The mean time to injury in our patients was 11 weeks (range 4-24 weeks). Average time of physical therapy was of 4 weeks (range 3-6 weeks), with authorization to return to sports activity at 3 weeks. There were 4 complications, of which 1 did not improve, 2 patients had resolved transient ulnar paresthesia, and 1 resolved superficial soft tissue infection.
Conclusion: The capsular anchoring technique developed in the study is reproducible with satisfactory results, using scales such as the QuickDASH and the Mayo Wrist Score.