Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2021 Nov;2(11):981-987.
doi: 10.1302/2633-1462.211.BJO-2021-0140.R1.

Long-term patient-reported outcomes for open surgery of the triangular fibrocartilage complex

Affiliations

Long-term patient-reported outcomes for open surgery of the triangular fibrocartilage complex

Reinier Feitz et al. Bone Jt Open. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Aims: Studies on long-term patient-reported outcomes after open surgery for triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) are scarce. Surgeons and patients would benefit from self-reported outcome data on pain, function, complications, and satisfaction after this surgery to enhance shared decision-making. The aim of this study is to determine the long-term outcome of adults who had open surgery for the TFCC.

Methods: A prospective cohort study that included patients with open surgery for the TFCC between December 2011 and September 2015. In September 2020, we sent these patients an additional follow-up questionnaire, including the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), to score satisfaction, complications, pain, and function.

Results: A total of 113 patients were included in the analysis. At ≥ 60 months after an open TFCC reinsertion, we found a mean PRWE total score of 19 (SD 21), a mean PRWE pain score of 11 (SD 11), and a PRWE function score of 9 (SD 10). The percentage of patients obtaining minimum clinically important difference rose from 77% at 12 months to 83% at more than 60 months (p < 0.001). Patients reported fewer complications than surgeons, and overall complication rate was low.

Conclusion: Outcomes of patient-reported pain, function scores, and satisfaction are improved five years after open surgery for the TFCC. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(11):981-987.

Keywords: PRWE; Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation; TFCC; Wrist; immobilization; knee; long-term outcomes; open reinsertion; pain score; patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs); prospective cohort study; revision surgery; standard deviation; t-test; triangular fibrocartilage; triangular fibrocartilage complex; wrist.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of the included patients with open surgery of the triangular fibrocartilage complex.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) total score and subscore mean and standard deviation at baseline, 12 months, and ≥ 60 months postoperatively.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Individual Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) total score at baseline, one year, and five years postoperatively.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Patient-reported satisfaction with the treatment result. Patients reported to be more satisfied at late follow-up.

References

    1. Feitz R, van der Oest MJW, Hovius SER, Slijper HP, Selles RW, van der Heijden B, et al. . Patient-reported outcomes and function after reinsertion of the triangular fibrocartilage complex by open surgery. Bone Joint J. 2021;103-B(4):711–717. - PubMed
    1. Bernstein MA, Nagle DJ, Martinez A, Stogin JM, Wiedrich TA. A comparison of combined arthroscopic triangular fibrocartilage complex debridement and arthroscopic wafer distal ulna resection versus arthroscopic triangular fibrocartilage complex debridement and ulnar shortening osteotomy for ulnocarpal abutment syndrome. Arthroscopy. 2004;20(4):392–401. - PubMed
    1. Andersson JK, Åhlén M, Andernord D. Open versus arthroscopic repair of the triangular fibrocartilage complex: A systematic review. J Exp Orthop. 2018;5(1):6. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Robba V, Fowler A, Karantana A, Grindlay D, Lindau T. Open versus arthroscopic repair of 1b ulnar-sided triangular fibrocartilage complex tears: A systematic review. Hand (N Y). 2020;15(4):456–464. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Luchetti R, Atzei A, Cozzolino R, Fairplay T, Badur N. Comparison between open and arthroscopic-assisted foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex repair for post-traumatic distal radio-ulnar joint instability. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2014;39(8):845–855. - PubMed