Introduction Mechanism of TFCC injury Type 1 traumatic injury mechanism most common is fall on extended wrist with forearm pronation traction injury to ulnar side of wrist traction injury to ulnar wrist Type 2 degenerative injury associated with positive ulnar variance associated with ulnocarpal impaction Anatomy TFCC made up of dorsal and volar radioulnar ligaments deep ligaments known as ligamentum subcruentum central articular disc meniscus homolog ulnar collateral ligament ECU subsheath origin of ulnolunate and ulnotriquetral ligaments Blood supply periphery is well vascularized (10-40% of the periphery) central portion is avascular Origin dorsal and volar radioulnar ligaments originate at the sigmoid notch of the radius Insertion dorsal and volar radioulnar ligaments converge at the base of the ulnar styloid Classification Class 1 - Traumatic TFCC Injuries 1A Central perforation or tear 1B Ulnar avulsion (without ulnar styloid fx) 1C Distal avulsion (origin of UL and UT ligaments) 1D Radial avulsion Class 2 - Degenerative TFCC Injuries 2A TFCC wear and thinning 2B Lunate and/or ulnar chondromalacia + 2A 2C TFCC perforation + 2B 2D Ligament disruption + 2C 2E Ulnocarpal and DRUJ arthritis + 2D Presentation Symptoms wrist pain turning a door key often painful Physical exam positive "fovea" sign tenderness in the soft spot between the ulnar styloid and flexor carpi ulnaris tendon, between the volar surface of the ulnar head and the pisiform 95% sensitivity and 87% specificity for foveal disruptions of TFCC or ulnotriquetral ligament injuries pain elicited with ulnar deviation (TFCC compression) or radial deviation (TFCC tension) Imaging Radiographs usually negative zero rotation PA view evaluates ulnar variance dynamic pronated PA grip view may show pathology Arthography joint injection shows extravasation MRI has largely replaced arthrography tear at ulnar part of lunate indicates ulnocarpal impaction sensitivity = 74-100% Arthroscopy most accurate method of diagnosis indicated in symptomatic patients after failing several months of splinting and activity modification Differential Differential for ulnar sided wrist pain Treatment Nonoperative immobilization, NSAIDS, steroid injections indications all acute Type I injuries first line of treatment for Type 2 injuries Operative arthroscopic debridement indications type 1A diagnostic gold standard arthroscopic repair indications type 1B, 1C, 1D best for ulnar and dorsal/ulnar tears generally acute, athletic injuries more amenable to repair than chronic injuries outcomes patient should expect to regain 80% of motion and grip strength when injuries are classified as acute (<3 months) ulnar diaphyseal shortening indications Type II with ulnar positive variance is > 2mm advantage of effectively tightening the ulnocarpal ligaments and is favored when LT instability is present Wafer procedure indications Type II with ulnar positive variance is < 2mm type 2A-C limited ulnar head resection indications type 2D Darrach procedure indications contraindicated due to problems with ulnar stump instability Techniques Arthroscopic debridement approach arthroscopic approach to the wrist performed through combination of 3-4 and 6R portal technique maintain 2 mm rim peripherally otherwise joint can become unstable pros & cons not effective if patient has ulnar positive variance 80% of patients obtain good relief of pain Arthroscopic repair approach arthroscopic approach to the wrist technique many techniques exist such as outside-in and inside-out generally suture based repair pros & cons only works for peripheral tears where blood supply is present patient immobilized for 6 weeks complications ECU tendonitis from suture knot dorsal sensory nerve injury Ulnar diaphyseal shortening approach dorsal approach to the forearm technique osteotomy of the diaphysis or metaphysis followed by plate fixation pros & cons can address > 2 mm ulnar variance requires immobilization and time for fracture healing can help tension the ulnocarpal ligaments complications nonunion hardware irritation necessitating removal Wafer procedure approach dorsal approach to the forearm technique ulnar cortex is not disrupted do not extend bone removal into the DRUJ pros & cons intrinsic stability of ECU, TFCC, and ulnar periosteum obviate need for plate fixation Limited ulnar head resection approach arthroscopic approach to the wrist technique removal of approximately 2-4 mm of bone under the TFCC distal ulnar burred through central TFCC defect pros & cons can be technically difficult to obtain level shortening through TFCC window only applicable when patient has < 2mm of ulnar variance Darrach procedure approach dorsal approach to the forearm technique resection of the distal 1-2cm of the distal ulna TFCC should be approximated to the wrist capsule pros & cons salvage procedure for pain relief only distal joint is unstable complications ECU tendon can sublux over remaining ulna causing pain
QUESTIONS 1 of 2 1 2 Previous Next Click here to track your progress on review questions with our Mastery Tracking. In the future this function will only be available for Virtual Curriculum members. (SBQ07.3) A 19-year-old football player suffers a fall onto a pronated, extended wrist. He has pain with resisted ulnar deviation and is tender to palpation just distal to the ulnar styloid. He has no tenderness over the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon. Current radiographs are shown in in Figures A and B and and MRI of the wrist is shown in FIgure C. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis? Review Topic QID:1388 FIGURES: A B C 1 ECU tendon rupture 1% (10/1469) 2 Triangular fibrocartilaginous complex (TFCC) tear 92% (1349/1469) 3 Hook of hamate fracture 5% (75/1469) 4 Scapholunate ligament injury 1% (11/1469) 5 Perilunate dislocation 1% (21/1469) Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 2 Fall from standing onto an extended and pronated wrist is a risk factor for injuries to the soft tissues of the wrist. The structures at risk include the triangular fibrocartilaginous complex (TFCC), the lunotriquetral ligament, ulnolunate ligament, hook of hamate, ulnar styloid, and the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon sheath. Pain with resisted ulnar deviation and ulnar catching are all concerning for injury to the TFCC. MRI is useful for diagnosing TFCC tears ( Illustration A shows another example). Papapetropoulos et al in their review article discuss the evaluation and arthroscopic treatment of TFCC injuries. Specifically they discuss that most tears in athletes are acute and amenable to repair by repair of the dorsal tear to the ECU tendon sheath. Cohen in his review of injuries in athletes discusses scapholunate ligament, lunotriquetral ligament, and midcarpal injuries. Of note he divides scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligament injuries into dissociative lesions (abnormal motion within proximal carpal bones) vs. midcarpal lesions which are generally considered nondissociative (abnormal motion between proximal and distal carpal bones). Rettig in his review of sports injuries of the extremities discusses the Palmer classification of TFCC tears. Specifically he notes that central tears are more associated with repetitive activities in patients with positive ulnar variance. Incorrect Answers: Answer 1: The patient is not tender in the region of the ECU tendon sheath. Answer 3: The carpal tunnel view radiograph shows no hook of hamate fracture. Answer 4 and 5: Wrist radiographs shows no scapholunate widening or perilunate dislocation. Physical exam in this case is more consistent with a TFCC injury. ILLUSTRATIONS: A References: Repair of arthroscopic triangular fibrocartilage complex tears in athletes. Papapetropoulos PA, Ruch DS. Hand Clin. 2009 Aug;25(3):389-94. PMID: 19643338 (Link to Abstract) Vote for CME Ligamentous injuries of the wrist in the athlete. Cohen MS. Clin Sports Med. 1998 Jul;17(3):533-52. PMID: 9700418 (Link to Abstract) Vote for CME Elbow, forearm and wrist injuries in the athlete. Rettig AC. Sports Med. 1998 Feb;25(2):115-30. PMID: 9519400 (Link to Abstract) Vote for CME Authors: Anay Patel MD, Mark Vitale MD, Michael Hughes MD, Please rate question. Average 3.0 of 11 Ratings Question COMMENTS (2) Please login to add comment. (OBQ05.273) Which of the following structures is an anatomical component of the triangular fibrocartilage complex? Review Topic QID:1159 1 Extensor carpi ulnaris tendon sheath 71% (1279/1809) 2 Lunotriquetral interosseous ligament 9% (154/1809) 3 Extensor digiti minimi tendon sheath 2% (35/1809) 4 Radioscaphocapitate ligament 5% (95/1809) 5 Flexor carpi ulnaris tendon sheath 13% (236/1809) Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 1 The extensor carpi ulnaris tendon sheath is part of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). Palmer et al studied the anatomy and function of the TFCC through anatomical dissections and biomechanical testing. The TFCC was found to be composed of the sheath of the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU), an articular disc, the dorsal and volar radioulnar ligaments, the meniscus homologue, and the ulnar collateral ligament. Biomechanically, they determined that the TFCC functions as a cushion at the ulnocarpal interface, and is a major stabilizer of the DRUJ. Nakamura et al histologically examined the origins and insertions of the TFCC in fresh-frozen cadaver wrists. They found that the floor of the ECU sheath originated from the dorsal side of the fovea of the ulna, through an arrangement of Sharpey's fibers. Illustration A shows the anatomy of the TFCC. ILLUSTRATIONS: A References: Origins and insertions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex: a histological study. Nakamura T, Takayama S, Horiuchi Y, Yabe Y J Hand Surg Br. 2001 Oct;26(5):446-54. PMID: 11560427 (Link to Abstract) Vote for CME The triangular fibrocartilage complex of the wrist--anatomy and function. Palmer AK, Werner FW. J Hand Surg Am. 1981 Mar;6(2):153-62. PMID: 7229292 (Link to Abstract) Vote for CME Authors: Joshua Blomberg MD, John Badylak MD, Ben Taylor MD, Please rate question. Average 3.0 of 21 Ratings Question COMMENTS (1) Please login to add comment. Sorry, this question is available to Virtual Curriculum members only. 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