Outcomes after Bone-Ligament-Bone Intercarpal Ligament Reconstruction.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Hand and wrist surgery
• Ligament reconstruction

Background:

• Chronic scapholunate and lunotriquetral interosseous ligament instability present significant reconstructive challenges.
• Various surgical techniques exist, but outcomes require further evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of bone-ligament-bone reconstruction for scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligament instability.
• To assess short-term functional results and complication rates.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 16 patients undergoing bone-ligament-bone reconstruction for wrist ligament instability (2013-2019).
• Assessment of clinical and radiographic outcomes, including range of motion and pain.
• Graft sources included capitohamate and Lister tubercle.

Main Results:

• 11 patients had scapholunate and 5 had lunotriquetral reconstruction.
• No significant radiographic changes were observed pre- to post-operatively.
• Significant limitations in wrist flexion (45°) and extension (53°) compared to the contralateral side.
• 38% of patients reported persistent pain, and 13% required salvage procedures.

Conclusions:

• Bone-ligament-bone reconstruction for early-stage scapholunate and lunotriquetral injuries yields suboptimal short-term outcomes.
• Residual postoperative wrist pain and functional limitations in motion are common.
• Further research into optimizing reconstructive techniques is warranted.