ULNAR SHORTENING COMBINED WITH ARTHROSCOPIC REPAIRS IN THE DELAYED MANAGEMENT OF TRIANGULAR FIBROCARTILAGE COMPLEX TEARS

The functional outcome after surgery was determined in 21 patients an average of 29 months (range, 24-52 months) after surgery to evaluate t he efficacy of arthroscopic repair of triangular fibrocartilage comple x (TFCC) tears and ulnar shortening. All of the patients had reparable lesions of the TFCC treated after a delay of more than 6 months from the time of injury. The patients' average age was 32 years and all pat ients had wrist pain limiting them from work and/or sports prior to su rgery. After surgery, there was a significant relief of pain (p<.01). Grip strength and range of motion averaged 83% +/- 18% and 81% +/- 16% , respectively, of that of the uninjured side. At follow-up evaluation , 14 patients with repairs underwent follow-up studies; the TFCC was n oted to be intact in 12 patients.