Patient Outcomes Following Reduction and Association of the Scaphoid and Lunate: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) injury is a common ligamentous injury of the wrist; however, the optimal operative management strategy remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate patient outcomes following the Reduction and Association of the Scaphoid and Lunate (RASL) procedure.

Twenty-five consecutive patients who had an SLIL tear treated with RASL completed a demographic survey and three standardized patient-reported outcome tools (Disabilities of the Shoulder, Arm and Hand [DASH], Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation [PRWE], and Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System, Upper Extremity [PROMIS] questionnaires). Standard wrist radiographs were taken preoperatively and postoperatively and bilateral wrist range of motion was measured.

At an average postsurgical time of 4.6 years, the average DASH score was 10.5 with a right-skewed distribution. There was no correlation between screw angle, preoperative scapholunate angle, or time from surgery and DASH score.

We conclude that with meticulous surgical technique, patient reported and radiographic outcomes demonstrate the relative success of the RASL procedure as a viable option for SLIL reconstruction in appropriate candidates.

Level IV evidence-a retrospective cohort study.