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The medium term outcomes of an all-arthroscopic triangular fibrocartilage complex foveal reconstruction using tendon graft

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Abstract

Purpose

In patients with symptomatic chronic tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), reconstruction with a tendon graft is indicated. We propose an arthroscopic-assisted technique to reconstruct the TFCC and to stabilize the distal radioulnar joint.

Methods

Patients with a chronic foveal TFCC tear of which it is deem not reparable were recruited. TFCC reconstruction was performed by making use of the TFCC remnants and a palmaris tendon graft under arthroscopic guidance.

Results

Twelve patients with an average age of 29 years old were evaluated. Three patients had concomitant ulnar shortening procedure. The average follow-up period was 29 months. All patients had stable DRUJ. Significant improvement was noted for pain score (from 4 to 1), DASH score (from 31 to 9.5), and Mayo modified wrist score (from 82 to 95). Grip strength was improved and the range of movement of the wrist was maintained. No complication nor graft re-rupture was noted.

Conclusion

This is a viable arthroscopic technique of TFCC reconstruction in a selected group of patients who had chronic foveal TFCC tear.

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Availability of data and material

Data is available on an as requested basis. Majority of the data has already been provided in the table of the manuscript.

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Not applicable.

Funding

This work was supported by the Beijing Municipal Administration of Hopsitals Incubating Program (grant number PX20180180, and the Beijing Ji Shui Tan Hospital High Level Talents “Key Researcher” Program (grant numbner XKGG201801). This study does not receive any financial support from any company/government body.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hand Surgery, Ji Shui Tan Hospital, The 4th Clinical College of Peking University, Beijing, China

    Bo Liu

  2. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, 5/F, Professorial Block, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong

    Margaret Woon Man Fok

Authors
  1. Bo Liu
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  2. Margaret Woon Man Fok
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Contributions

All the authors have been actively involved in the planning and enactment of the study and have also assisted with the preparation of the submitted article.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Margaret Woon Man Fok.

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All the cases illustration, images, and figures given do not contain any identifiable patient information.

Ethics approval

The clinical study is being approved by the Ji Shui Tan Hospital, Beijing, China, which the work was performed.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Liu, B., Fok, M.W.M. The medium term outcomes of an all-arthroscopic triangular fibrocartilage complex foveal reconstruction using tendon graft. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 45, 1273–1279 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-021-04976-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-021-04976-9

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