ARTHROSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF PARTIAL SCAPHOLUNATE AND LUNOTRIQUETRAL INJURIES OF THE WRIST

Outcome was studied in 14 patients with chronic mechanical (crepitant) wrist pain (symptomatic for more than 6 months) who had undergone art hroscopic debridement and early mobilization For the treatment of isol ated partial scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligament injuries. Fourte en patients were available for a minimum 2-year follow-up interview, p hysical examination, and x-ray film evaluation. Eleven patients had co mplete relief of symptoms and had returned to work within 7 weeks of s urgery. The other three (all workers' compensation cases) reported occ asional mild wrist pain; two had returned to work a mean of 6.5 weeks after surgery, and the third did not return for 1 year. None of the pa tients had a statistically significant loss of grip or pinch strength. X-ray films and dynamic examination under fluoroscopy demonstrated no abnormalities. Thirteen of the 14 patients were highly satisfied (alt hough 2 patients still had occasional mild wrist pain). Arthroscopic d ebridement of partial intrinsic ligament injuries provided excellent r elief of painful crepitant symptoms and allowed for early return of wr ist function in 13 of 14 cases.