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. 2023 Oct 17;12(20):6574.
doi: 10.3390/jcm12206574.

Comparative Analysis of Treatment Outcomes: Modified Ulnar Gutter Slab vs. Sugar Tong Slab for Distal Radioulnar Joint Instability Following Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Repair

Tulyapruek Tawonsawatruk  1 , Pheeraphat Phoophiboon  1 , Thepparat Kanchanathepsak  1 , Panithan Tuntiyatorn  2
Affiliations

Comparative Analysis of Treatment Outcomes: Modified Ulnar Gutter Slab vs. Sugar Tong Slab for Distal Radioulnar Joint Instability Following Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Repair

Tulyapruek Tawonsawatruk et al. J Clin Med. .

Erratum in

Abstract

The standard treatment for distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability involves repairing the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) and immobilizing the joint with a sugar tong slab, but this can cause elbow stiffness. To address this, a modified ulnar gutter slab was designed to enhance elbow mobility during immobilization. A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted on 23 DRUJ instability patients who underwent arthroscopic TFCC repair. Two post-operative splinting techniques were compared: the modified ulnar gutter slab and the sugar tong slab. The assessment included the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score; elbow, forearm, and wrist range of motion (ROM); post-operative DRUJ stability; and complications. DASH scores at 4 and 6 weeks were not significantly different. However, the modified ulnar gutter slab improved elbow extension range of motion at 4 weeks (extension lag: 20.0 vs. 6.5 in the sugar tong group) (p = 0.011). Post-operative DRUJ stability was comparable between the two groups. Notably, one patient in the sugar tong slab group experienced complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The modified ulnar gutter slab offers a post-operative alternative after TFCC repair. It effectively immobilizes forearm and wrist motion while enhancing elbow mobility, potentially reducing post-operative elbow stiffness.

Keywords: DRUJ instability; TFCC; distal radioulnar joint; modified ulnar gutter slab; post-operative immobilization; sugar tong slab; triangular fibrocartilage complex.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of the study protocol.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The modified digital goniometer for measuring the forearm rotation.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The modified ulnar gutter slab.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The sugar tong arm slab.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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