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The functional outcome of acute scapholunate ligament repair in patients with intraarticular distal radius fractures treated by internal fixation

  • Trauma Surgery
  • Published:
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Abstract

Background

Intra-articular fractures of the distal radius (DRF) are associated with a twofold increase in the risk of scapholunate ligament injury (SLI). The aim of this study was to compare functional outcome, pain, and disability between patients with operatively treated DRF and either an acute, repaired scapholunate ligament injury or no ligament injury.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 18 patients with an intraarticular DRF and SLI that was diagnosed and treated (Group I) and compared them with 20 patients with DRF without associated ligament injury (Group II) (20 women, 18 men; average age 55 years, range 19–72). The two cohorts were analyzed for differences in motion, grip strength, pain, Mayo wrist score, and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score an average of 43 months (range 12–73) after surgery. Radiographic assessment included fracture union, palmar tilt, radial inclination, ulnar variance, intercarpal angles, and arthrosis (according to Knirk and Jupiter). We used T-tests to compare range of motion, grip strength, pain (visual analog scale), DASH scores, and radiographic alignment between cohorts. A Chi-squared analysis was used to determine radiographic differences of arthritis.

Results

There were no significant differences in mean range of motion, grip strength, Quick DASH score, Mayo wrist score, pain level, or radiographic arthrosis between cohorts. There was no correlation between radiographic signs of osteoarthritis and the QuickDASH score, and pain level.

Conclusion

The outcomes of intraarticular fractures of the distal radius with operatively treated associated SLI are comparable with the outcomes of intraarticular fractures of the distal radius without associated SLI.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Aachen, Pauwelstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany

    Gertraud Gradl & Matthias Knobe

  2. Rhön Klinikum AG, Klinik für Handchirurgie, Salzburger Leite 1, 97617, Bad Neustadt/Saale, Germany

    Thomas Pillukat, Thomas Fuchsberger & Karl-Josef Prommersberger

  3. Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachussetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Gertraud Gradl & David Ring

Authors
  1. Gertraud Gradl
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  2. Thomas Pillukat
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  3. Thomas Fuchsberger
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  4. Matthias Knobe
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  5. David Ring
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  6. Karl-Josef Prommersberger
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gertraud Gradl.

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Institutional Review Board

This study was performed under a protocol approved by the institutional review board (IRB) at the Rhön Klinikum AG, Klinik für Handchirurgie, Bad Neustadt Saale, Germany.

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Gradl, G., Pillukat, T., Fuchsberger, T. et al. The functional outcome of acute scapholunate ligament repair in patients with intraarticular distal radius fractures treated by internal fixation. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 133, 1281–1287 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-013-1797-3

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