[Preliminary results with Cuénod's osteoligamentoplasty and capsulodesis for treatment of chronic scapholunate dissociation]

Abstract

Until now, the ideal treatment of scapholunate dissociation has not yet been found. Cuénod described an operation with reconstruction of the dorsal part of the scapholunate ligament using a bone-ligament-bone autograft (dorsal trapezoidometacarpal II ligament) and an additional dorsal capsulodesis using the dorsal intercarpal ligament. From December 2000 until January 2002, we operated on twelve patients with symptomatic chronic scapholunate dissociation without signs of osteoarthrosis using Cuénod's procedure. Preoperatively as well as at follow-up patients were evaluated using a traditional wrist score and a DASH-questionnaire in addition to clinical examination. X-rays of both wrists in two planes each and additional stress radiographs were done. All patients had an arthroscopy preoperatively and a CT scan before K-wire removal. The mean follow-up time was twelve months. Clinical follow-up showed good results (traditional wrist score: 77 points; DASH-score: 27 points), but with regard to the good preoperative findings (traditional wrist score: 73 points; DASH-score: 28 points) no significant improvement. Postoperative X-rays showed a correction of static instability in three cases; in four cases we found a recurrent SL gap, which was interpreted as failure of the transplanted ligament. Until now, one patient had to be reoperated by STT-fusion. In our patients, Cuénod's operation showed different results. So, further studies are necessary to find the correct indications for applying this procedure.