Getting a Grip on Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Tears: A Retrospective Comparative Study on Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Debridement Outcomes

Abstract

Abstract Background A retrospective analysis was performed to compare the clinical outcomes and complications of patients who underwent triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) debridement based on gripping posteroanterior (PA) view ulnar variance measures. Methods Patients in Group A (N = 17) demonstrated ulnar variance measures <1.0 mm on the standard PA view and ≥1.0 mm on the gripping PA view. Patients in Group B (N = 13) maintained ulnar variance measures <1.0 mm on standard and gripping PA views. Clinical outcome measures included return to work, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and range of motion. Complications included persistent pain, postoperative injections, and indication for revision surgery. Qualitative and quantitative measures were analyzed using Fisher exact tests and Student's t-tests, respectively. Results Significantly more patients in Group A (7/17) did not return to work compared with Group B (1/13) (p < 0.05). Mean VAS scores decreased from 7.0 to 5.3 in Group A and from 6.8 to 2.0 in Group B. Group A reported lower flexion–extension and pronation–supination arcs compared with Group B (110 vs. 130 degrees and 161 vs. 174 degrees) (p < 0.05). Significantly more patients in Group A (10/17) reported persistent pain at ≥3 months postoperatively compared with Group B (2/13) (p < 0.05). Seven cases were indicated for revision surgery in Group A, while no cases were indicated in Group B (p < 0.05). Conclusion Patients in Group A reported inferior clinical outcomes compared with Group B based on pain, range of motion, and indication for revision surgery. Dynamic ulnar variance may play a role in the clinical outcomes of patients treated with TFCC debridement. Level of Evidence Level IV. Type of Study/Level of Evidence Retrospective Comparative Study/Level IV.