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Long-term results of more than 13 years after arthroscopic repair of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) Palmer 1B tears: a comparison with short- and mid-term results

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European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Goal of this study was the assessment of long-term outcome of arthroscopically assisted repair of Palmer 1B/Atzei 1 triangular fibrocartilage complex tears and the comparison with short- and mid-term results.

Methods

The study included nineteen patients (mean 49.2 years of age) with a mean follow-up time of 13.6 years (13.1–14.3 years). Examination parameters included disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) questionnaire, modified Mayo Wrist Score (MMWS), Krimmer Score, determination of range of motion in comparison to the contralateral extremity. Grip and pinch grip strength measurement and pain level assessment was performed, as well.

Results

The mean MMWS after at least 13.1 years was 95.8 (85–100, SD 5.6). Mean DASH Score was 10.2 (0–55.8, SD 13.6). Mean Krimmer Score was 97.2 (85–100, SD 4.8). Grip strength reached 101% of the contralateral unaffected hand. Range of motion did not differ significantly in comparison to the healthy contralateral extremity. None of the patients suffered from major complications. Fourteen of nineteen patients regarded pain level reduction as excellent. Five patients reported a relevant pain level reduction. Sixteen of nineteen patients regarded functional outcome as excellent, the other three patients reported on a pleasing improvement of the functional outcome.

Conclusion

Arthroscopically assisted repair of Palmer 1B/Atzei 1 triangular fibrocartilage complex tears may be an efficacious and safe surgical technique for ulnar-sided TFCC tears in the long term.

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Availability of data and material

Patients data are available in excel sheet; statistics data are available in SPSS.

Code availability

Microsoft excel; SPSS; SAS.

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Funding

The authors received financial support for this project from the Richard and Annemarie Wolf Foundation, Knittlingen, Germany.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hand Surgery, Vulpius Klinik, Bad Rappenau, Germany

    Julia M. Unglaub & Christian K. Spies

  2. Medical Faculty of the Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany

    Julia M. Unglaub & Thomas J. Heyse

  3. Department of Medical Biometry and Informatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

    Thomas Bruckner

  4. Red Cross Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany

    Thomas J. Heyse

  5. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    Peer Eysel

  6. Department of Traumatology and Hand Surgery, University of Münster, Münster, Germany

    Martin F. Langer

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  1. Julia M. Unglaub
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Contributions

All the authors have been actively involved in the planning and enactment of the study and have also assisted with the preparation of the submitted article.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Julia M. Unglaub.

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The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Ethical approval

This study has been approved by the institutional ethics committee.

Consent to participate

All patients gave their written consent to participate in this study.

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All patients gave their written consent for data publication.

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Unglaub, J.M., Bruckner, T., Heyse, T.J. et al. Long-term results of more than 13 years after arthroscopic repair of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) Palmer 1B tears: a comparison with short- and mid-term results. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 48, 2309–2317 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-021-01743-8

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