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Management of Distal Radius Fracture-Associated TFCC Lesions Without DRUJ Instability

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Arthroscopic Management of Distal Radius Fractures

Abstract

Fractures of the distal end of radius account for nearly 20% of all fractures seen in a routine emergency room and are commonly associated with intercarpal ligamentous injuries and other soft tissue disruptions [6]. The structure most frequently injured in distal radial fractures is the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) [15, 21, 24, 27]. In one cadaveric study where a hyperextension force was applied to cadaveric wrists until a distal radial fracture occurred, an injury to the TFCC occurred in 63% of the specimens followed by injuries to scapholunate ligament (32%) and to lunotriquetral ligament (17%) [20]. The TFCC consists of the central fibrocartilage, the dorsal and palmar distal radioulnar ligaments, the sheath of extensor carpi ulnaris tendon, the ulnar collateral ligaments, and the ulnocarpal ligaments. It works as a single unit that aids in movements, stability, and load sharing at the wrist. The central area of TFCC is avascular and called the debridement zone, whereas, the peripheral zone enjoys an extensive blood supply and is termed the repair zone [25] (Fig. 5.1).

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Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges Dr. Prakash Khanchandani assistance in reviewing the literature and writing this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Badia Hand to Shoulder Center, Baptist Hospital of Miami, 3650 NW 82nd Ave. Suite 103, Doral, Florida, 33166, USA

    Alejandro Badia MD, FACS

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  1. Alejandro Badia MD, FACS
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Correspondence to Alejandro Badia MD, FACS .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Calderón de la Barca 16-entlo., Santander, 39002, Spain

    Francisco Piñal

  2. Via Pietro da Rimini 4, Rimini, 47900, Italy

    Riccardo Luchetti

  3. Institut de la Main, Clinique Jouvenet, square Jouvenet 6, Paris CX, 75007, France

    Christophe Mathoulin

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Badia, A. (2010). Management of Distal Radius Fracture-Associated TFCC Lesions Without DRUJ Instability. In: Piñal, F., Luchetti, R., Mathoulin, C. (eds) Arthroscopic Management of Distal Radius Fractures. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-05354-2_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-05354-2_5

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-05354-2

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