The effect of TFCC injury on short-term outcomes after osteosynthesis for distal radius fracture

To investigate the influence of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury on the postoperative outcome of distal radius fracture (DRF).

 154 cases of DRF treated using arthroscopy were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on presence or absence of TFCC injury, and the results of 3 months after surgery were compared.

 TFCC injury group included 126 patients, gender: 32 males and 94 females, average age : 65 years old, fracture type is A2: 3 cases, A3: 11 cases, B3: 7 cases, C1: 50 cases, C2: 6 cases and C3: 48 cases.TFCC injury patterns were intact TFCC group included 29 patients, gender: 8 males and 21 females, average age: 61 years old, consisted of A2: 1 case, A3: 5 cases, B3: 2 cases, C1: 9 cases, C2: 3 cases and C3: 9 cases. 81 cases (65%) were traumatic tear , 39 cases (31%) were degenerative tear, and combined traumatic and degenerative tears were 5 cases (4%).

Three months after surgery, in TFCC injury group the average for arc of wrist motion was 131°, pronation + supination was 169°, grip strength ratio to healthy side was 77%, and qDASH was 10.8 points. In intact TFCC group the average for arc of wrist motion was 118° , pronation + supination was 162°, grip strength ratio to healthy side was 72%, and qDASH score was9.9 points. There were no significant differences between two groups.

We suggest that TFCC injuries except foveal avulsion, may not require any treatment at the initial surgery.

Keywords: distal radius fracture, TFCC injury, arthroscopy