Long term results after arthroscopic resection of lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex

Thirty-five patients with central and radial lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) were treated by arthroscopic resection and debridement. Their median age was 36 years (range 11-52), and preoperative duration of symptoms 18 months (range 4-132). Fall on a hyperextended wrist was the most common injury (n = 15), and nine patients had had a previous fracture of the radius. Eighteen patients had an additional arthroscopic debridement of coexisting chondral lesions. There were no complications. At a median follow up time of 39 months (range 18-58), grip strength was recorded as a median of 94% (range 3-164), flexion-extension sector as 94% (range 50-107), and pronation and supination sector as 100% (range 50-112) of the uninjured side. At follow up eight patients were free of pain, 14 much better, eight somewhat better, five unchanged, and no patient had got worse. The Mayo Modified Wrist Score assessed 13 patients as excellent, 14 good, four fair, and one poor. Thirty-one patients returned to full-time work, and four were unemployed (partly because of reasons not relevant to the operation). Thirty-three patients reported they would have had the same procedure if they had known the outcome of the surgery. We find arthroscopic debridement of central or radial lesions of the TFCC to be safe and reliable with good pain relief.