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Motion Analysis of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex by Using Ultrasonography Images: Preliminary Analysis
Issei Shinohara1, Atsuyuki Inui1, Yutaka Mifune1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, 5-2, Kusunoki-cho 7, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi 650-0017, Japan.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 11, 2022
Summary
Ultrasonography can now quantitatively analyze triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries. Patients with TFCC injuries show abnormal disc motion, indicating lost cushioning and stability, detectable with ultrasound motion analysis.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic biomechanics
- Diagnostic imaging
- Musculoskeletal ultrasonography
Background:
- The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is crucial for distal radioulnar joint stability.
- Diagnosing TFCC injuries presents clinical challenges.
- Ultrasonography (US) offers a low-cost, minimally invasive diagnostic approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively analyze TFCC motion using ultrasonography.
- To differentiate between healthy and injured TFCCs based on dynamic US analysis.
Main Methods:
- Motion analysis using US was performed on 24 wrists from 12 healthy volunteers and 15 patients with TFCC Palmer type 1B injuries.
- A specific transducer positioning and wrist motion protocol (radial to ulnar deviation) were employed.
- Particle image velocimetry software analyzed articular disc displacement velocity magnitude.
Main Results:
- The mean articular disc area was larger during ulnar deviation in controls, but larger during radial deviation in the injury group.
- The average articular disc velocity magnitude was significantly higher in the TFCC injury group compared to controls.
- These findings suggest altered disc mechanics in TFCC injuries.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasonography-based motion analysis can quantitatively assess TFCC injuries.
- TFCC injuries are associated with loss of articular disc cushioning and static stability.
- Abnormal TFCC motion patterns are detectable via dynamic ultrasonography.
