Wrist arthroscopy has been widely performed to treat dorsal peripheral TFCC tears, but there have not been many studies reporting its outcome especially from the patient’s perspective using patient rated outcome measures (PROMs). This study aims to evaluate wrist arthroscopy functional outcome using shortened version of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) and Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE).
A retrospective cohort study conducted in a single center comparing the pain and functional outcome of dorsal peripheral TFCC tears before and after treated arthroscopically. Retrospective cases of dorsal peripheral TFCC tears that treated arthroscopically from 2019 and 2023 were included. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon. Patients were asked to recall their symptoms immediately before surgery and their present symptoms after the surgery. Functional outcome was measured using the shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire and pain outcome was measured using the Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) questionnaire.
From 13 patients that included in this study, the mean follow up after surgery was 25.46±18.35 months. Other conditions found were scapholunate ligament tear in 1 patient, distal radius fracture in 2 patients, and ulnar impaction syndrome in 2 patients. The mean preoperative QuickDASH score was 46.7 (±26.8), with the highest score on question number 9 (pain on the wrist), while the mean postoperative QuickDASH score was 8.9 (±7.1). There was a significant decrease of 37.8 (±26.8) points between preoperative and postoperative QuickDASH score (p = 0.000). After surgery, the PRWE score decreased significantly by 48.5 (±26.4) points from 64.4 (±27.6) preoperatively to 15.9 (±12.9) postoperatively (p = 0.002).
Wrist arthroscopy procedure for dorsal peripheral TFCC tears provides satisfactory results. QuickDASH and PRWE score significantly decreased postoperatively, indicating improved function and decreased pain from the patient’s perspective. Combined with its low minimally invasive nature and low complication rate, arthroscopy procedure provide a good treatment option for dorsal peripheral TFCC tears.
