Narrow Results

Background: To review the impact that arthroscopy has made on the assessment and treatment of intercarpal (scapholunate [SL] or lunotriquetral [LT]) ligament injuries associated with acute distal radius fractures (DRF).

Methods: A systematic review of EMBASE, MEDLINE and COCHRANE databases for articles published between 2011 and 2021 was performed (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021273293) which included studies reported assessment and outcomes of intercarpal ligament injuries associated with acute DRF. Methodological quality was evaluated. The rate of concomitant injury detection, role of arthroscopy and different clinical outcome assessment measurements used were compared between studies.

Results: A total of 20 articles were included with data from 1,346 patients (1,358 wrists). A total of 1,024 intra-articular fractures were included and 294 extra-articular fractures (40 not specified). There was a heterogeneous mix of studies; 10 comparative and 10 non-comparative. Some studies investigated initial assessment findings only, while others assessed radiological outcomes, functional outcomes or both domains over 0.3–99 months. The overall rate of SL ligament injury associated with DRF was 35.3%, while LT ligament injury overall was 18.2%. More frequent were concomitant triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries (44.8%), although this review did not aim to review these. The role of arthroscopy was reviewed, which included assistance in anatomic reduction of the articular surface and systematic inspection of the surrounding soft tissues. Included studies investigated either assessment or assessment and management of intercarpal ligament injury. Meaningful meta-analysis in this heterogeneous group of studies was not possible. Outcomes of comparative studies were described in detail.

Conclusions: This review suggests that arthroscopy may have a role in improving reduction of intra-articular DRF and diagnosing and managing soft tissue injuries associated with such fractures. Randomised studies are needed to evaluate whether the detection of intercarpal ligament injury in acute distal radial fractures through arthroscopic assessment alters current management and improves clinical outcome.

Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic)