Arthrographic evaluation of the carpal triangular fibrocartilage complex

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Anatomy

Background:

• Wrist pain is often associated with abnormalities of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC).
• The correlation between TFCC perforations and clinical or imaging findings requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) abnormalities, specifically perforations, and various clinical and imaging findings in patients with wrist pain.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 162 patients examining correlations between TFCC abnormalities and pain duration/location.
• Radiographic, scintigraphic, and arthrographic assessments were performed.
• Evaluation for associated carpal instability and ulnar variance.

Main Results:

• TFCC perforations did not correlate with pain complex, radiographic, arthrographic, or scintigraphic abnormalities.
• No association was found between TFCC perforations, carpal instability, or ulnar variance.
• New small defects on TFCC surfaces were identified, distinct from previously reported findings.

Conclusions:

• TFCC perforations are not consistently associated with specific pain patterns or common imaging abnormalities.
• The distinction between post-traumatic and degenerative TFCC perforations could not be established.
• The clinical significance of newly identified small TFCC defects warrants further investigation.