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Radiographic and Arthroscopic Assessment of DRUJ Instability Due to Foveal Avulsion of the Radioulnar Ligament in Distal Radius Fractures.

ABSTRACT: Background As the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) anchors the distal radius to the ulna via the radioulnar ligament (RUL), a severely displaced distal fragment of the radius may be associated with a foveal avulsion of the TFCC. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess, radiographically and arthroscopically, the relationship between displacement of the radius, the ulnar styloid, and avulsion of the RUL resulting in distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability. Materials and Methods Twenty-nine wrists of 29 patients with intra- and extra-articular distal radius fractures/malunion who underwent reduction or a corrective osteotomy of the displaced/malunited fracture, and/or wrist arthroscopy, were assessed radiographically and arthroscopically. Radial translation, radial inclination, radial shortening, volar or dorsal tilt, and the presence of an ulnar styloid fracture with more than 4 mm of displacement were measured from the initial films. Radiocarpal arthroscopy was used to assess peripheral lesions of the TFCC, while DRUJ arthroscopy was used to assess the foveal attachment. The relationship between displacement of the distal radius or the ulnar styloid fracture and the TFCC injury, including avulsion of the RUL, was recorded. Results Univariate analysis revealed that increased radial translation, decreased radial inclination, increased radial shortening, and an ulnar styloid fragment radially displaced by more than 4 mm were significant predictors of RUL avulsion at the fovea. Volar or dorsal tilt of the radius and ulnar variance did not correlate with RUL avulsion or TFCC injuries. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that radial translation was an independent risk factor of foveal avulsion of the RUL. Conclusions Increased radial translation and radial shortening and decreased radial inclination of the distal fragment can be associated with a foveal avulsion of the RUL. Radial translation can be an independent risk factor of foveal avulsion of the RUL.

SUBMITTER: Nakamura T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3922852 | biostudies-other | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:Instability of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) is a complication that can occur following distal radius fracture or malunion. We have observed that residual radial translation of the distal radius, relative to the radial shaft, may be a causal factor of DRUJ instability, even once the traditional radiographic parameters (volar tilt, radial inclination, and ulnar variance) have been restored. Residual radial translation of the distal fragment may cause detensioning of the distal interosseous membrane (IOM) and pronator quadratus with poor apposition between the ulnar head and sigmoid notch. This may potentially lead to persistent instability of the ulnar head following internal fixation. Residual radial translation deformity is at risk of being overlooked by the wrist surgeon as there is no existing radiographic parameter that accurately measures this deformity.In this study, 100 normal wrist radiographs were reviewed by three fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons to develop a simple and reproducible technique to measure radial translation.Utilizing the method described, the point of intersection between the ulnar cortex of the shaft of the radius and the lunate left a mean average of 45.48% (range 25–73.68%) of the lunate remaining on the radial side. In the majority of cases more of the lunate resided ulnar to this line. High levels of agreement with inter-rater (intraclass coefficients = 0.967) and intra-rater (intraclass coefficients = 0.79) reliability was observed.The results of this study can be used to define a normal standard against which residual radial translation can be measured to assess the reduction of distal radius fractures. This new parameter aids in the development of surgical techniques to correct residual radial translation deformity. In addition, awareness and correction of this potential malreduction at the time of surgery may decrease the need for other procedures on the ulnar side of the wrist to improve DRUJ stability, such as ulnar styloid fixation, TFCC repair, or ligamentous grafting [corrected].

Project description:BackgroundThe surgical technique of radius distraction for stabilization of distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) if intraoperative DRUJ instability was found after the fixation of distal radius fracture has been previously described, but this surgical technique lacks clinical and radiographic effect in minimal 3 years follow-up. We therefore evaluated the clinical outcome and radiographic results of radius distraction in minimal 3 years follow-up as long-term evaluation.MethodsWe reviewed the case series of distal radius fracture with concomitant DRUJ instability receiving radius distraction from the senior author over a 5-year period (January 1st, 2013, to June 30th, 2017) retrospectively. Radius distraction during volar plating was performed by moving the volar plate distally via compression screw loosening/fastening to achieve firm endpoint on the dorsopalmar stress test. The evaluations of radiographic, including bone union time and ulnar variance, and clinical outcomes, including grading of DRUJ instability, NRS of wrist pain, DASH score, MMWS score, and range of motion of operated wrist at final follow-up, were performed at clinic as minimum 3-year follow-up; a total 34 patients had been evaluated.ResultsAt minimal post-operative 36 months follow-up, all cases demonstrated acceptable wrist range of motion with stable DRUJs, low NRS of wrist pain (0.6, SD 0.7), and satisfactory DASH score (mean 9.1, SD 6.2) and MMWS score (mean 87, SD 10). There were no cases suffering from nonunion of distal radius. The mean ulnar variance of injured wrist and uninjured wrist were -1.2 mm and 0.2 mm, respectively (SD 1.0 and 0.6) with significant statistical difference.ConclusionsRadius distraction during volar fixation of distal radius fracture should be considered if DRUJ instability was found by the dorsopalmar stress test intraoperatively, and the long-term DRUJ stability could be achieved by maintenance of normal-to-negative ulnar variance, with decreased wrist pain and satisfactory function outcome.Level of evidenceTherapeutic Level IV.

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Radiographic and Arthroscopic Assessment of DRUJ Instability Due to Foveal Avulsion of the Radioulnar Ligament in Distal Radius Fractures.

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