TECHNIQUE. Pablo De Carli, MD, Agustin G. Donndorff, MD, Gerardo L. Gallucci, MD, Jorge G. Boretto, MD, and Verónica A. Alfie, MD

Transcription

1 TECHNIQUE Chronic Scapholunate Dissociation: Ligament Reconstruction Combining a New Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus Tenodesis and a Dorsal Intercarpal Ligament Capsulodesis Pablo De Carli, MD, Agustin G. Donndorff, MD, Gerardo L. Gallucci, MD, Jorge G. Boretto, MD, and Verónica A. Alfie, MD Abstract: Scapholunate dissociation (SLD) is the commonest cause of carpal instability and wrist osteoarthrosis. The value of early diagnosis and treatment of this injury is well established in the literature. When a partial or total rupture of the scapholunate ligament is treated with early anatomic reduction and repair, functional results may be good to excellent. However, if this ligament is not addressed acutely then an overall carpal malalignment may seem progressively as a result of failure of the secondary scaphoid stabilizers. Chronic SLD will lead to scapholunate advanced collapse and progressive painful arthritis of the wrist. Although most surgeons agree that operative intervention is indicated, no clear consensus exists on the best treatment for patients with chronic SLD. Several procedures have been described that include some sort of partial fusion, capsulodesis, tenodesis, or bone-ligament-bone graft. If there is no evidence for arthrosis, soft-tissue procedures using either capsulodesis or tenodesis may be carried out in an attempt to preserve radiocarpal and intercarpal motion whereas avoiding fusion. This article describes a scapholunate ligament reconstruction combining a new dorsal extensor carpi radialis longus tenodesis and a dorsal capsulodesis for the treatment of chronic SLD. Key Words: scapholunate dissociation, carpal instability, capsulodesis, tenodesis (Tech Hand Surg 2011;15: 6--11) HISTORIC PERSPECTIVE Tenodesis and capsulodesis procedures have become a popular option for reconstructing the dysfunctional scapholunate ligament with a capsular/ligament strip or tendon graft in patients with reducible nonarthritic SLD. The primary goals of these soft-tissue procedures include pain relief, reestablishment, and maintenance of carpal alignment to prevent osteoarthritic changes, and preserve functional wrist mobility. Capsulodesis techniques varied with both radiocarpal and intercarpal capsulodesis. In 1987, Blatt proposed a capsulodesis using a proximally based flap of dorsal wrist capsule inserted into the distal pole of the scaphoid tethering it to the radius to stabilize the forceful flexion of the scaphoid. 1 Herbert modified this technique using the same reversed capsular flap reinserted proximally into the Lister tubercle. 2 A similar Received for publication March 30, 2010; accepted May 3, 2010 From the Department of Hand Surgery and Upper Extremity, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Carlos E. Ottolenghi Institute, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Pablo De Carli, MD, Gascón 450, Capital Federal, C1199 ACK, Buenos Aires, Argentina. pablo.decarli@gmail.com. Copyright r 2011 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins FIGURE 1. A, Tenodesis using a distally based strip of the ECRL fixed with 3 suture anchors to the proximal and distal pole of the scaphoid and lunate. B, Dorsal capsulodesis with a proximal strip of the DICL. 6 Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery Volume 15, Number 1, March 2011

2 Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery Volume 15, Number 1, March 2011 Chronic Scapholunate Dissociation FIGURE 2. A 36-year-old woman with static scapholunate instability of her right wrist. S-shaped longitudinal incision of the skin. procedure is recommended by Linscheid and Dobyns 3 with a proximally based strip of the dorsal intercarpal ligament (DICL). The problem with these procedures is that they fail to correct directly the SL gap and limit wrist motion, particularly flexion, as the transferred capsule tethers the distal pole of the scaphoid to the distal radius. Thus, in 1999 Slater developed a procedure including the DICL for scapholunate reinforcement. 4 In this capsulodesis, the DICL is elevated from its insertion on the trapezium and trapezoid, rotated proximally, and secured to the distal pole of the scaphoid. So, the proximal carpal row is linked together (triquetrum to the distal pole of the scaphoid) to decrease the SL diastasis and the scapholunate angle is corrected equally well. Schweizer and Steiger 5 described another option that included the DICL, but inserting it into the proximal rather than into the distal part of the scaphoid to fix the SL space in anatomic position, without focusing on scaphoid flexion. In 2002, Walsh et al 6 described a technique that involved the use of a DICL strip detached from the ulnar insertion on the triquetrum, rotated proximally, and reinserted into the dorsal lunate. This reconstruction also included the ability to limit rotatory subluxation of the scaphoid and at the same time stabilize the SL joint. In contrast to Blatt capsulodesis, none of the abovementioned methods cross the radiocarpal joint. The major advantage of dorsal capsulodesis compared with tenodesis is the technical ease of the procedure. However, capsulodesis seem to have a tendency to stretch out over time. Sometimes the joint capsule, which had been attenuated by repeated proximal pole subluxation, is too weak to resist the strong flexion forces acting on the scaphoid. FIGURE 3. A dorsal capsulotomy after the DICL and RTqL as described by Berger and Bishop is made. Tendon grafts have been reported to replace a scapholunate ligament. From the first reported tendon reconstruction of the SL ligament by Dobyns et al 7 in 1975, the procedures have considerably evolved. The original technique consisted of passing a strip of tendon graft through anteroposterior tunnels in the proximal pole of the scaphoid and the lunate to recreate the dorsal SL ligament. At that time, the procedure provided unsatisfactory results because the holes drilled into poorly vascularized bone areas induced fractures or joint degenerations. Sixteen years later Almquist et al 8 described the use of the so-called four-bone ligament reconstruction. Through a dorsal and palmar approach a distally based strip of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon was passed through the holes made in the capitate, scaphoid, and lunate, and finally fixed to the distal-palmar radius. The major problem of this method came from crossing both radiocarpal and midcarpal joints, which provided wrist stiffness. Linscheid and Dobyns 9 proposed another option using a distally based strip of the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) passed through a hole made in the distal scaphoid to prevent flexion collapse and fixed to the dorsal lunotriquetral ligament to close the SL gap. In 1995, Brunelli and Brunelli 10 advocated a procedure with a strip of FCR that was passed through a tunnel in the distal pole of the scaphoid, pulled dorsally reducing the scaphoid to its position, and sutured to the dorsal radius. Both methods based their effectiveness in the stabilization of the proximal and distal ends of the subluxating scaphoid. Moreover, the holes were drilled far from the SL joint in which the 2 bones are poorly vascularized. The Brunelli procedure was first modified by Van Den Abbeele et al, 11 who suggested not r 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 7

3 De Carli et al Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery Volume 15, Number 1, March 2011 FIGURE 4. Once the proximal row is exposed the SL joint is inspected and the presence of a complete nonrepairable rupture of the SL ligaments with intact cartilage is confirmed. C indicates capitate; L, lunate; S, scaphoid. to cross the radiocarpal joint but to anchor the tendon onto the dorsum of the lunate or onto the dorsal radiotriquetral ligament (RTqL). By incorporating some features from these procedures, García-Elías et al 12 described a new modification named the 3-ligament tenodesis or 3LT procedure as this tenodesis replicated the action of 3 ligaments (scaphotrapezial-trapezoidal, dorsal SL, dorsal radiotriquetral). Recently, Bleuler et al 13 described a dynamic tenodesis through a minimally invasive dorsal approach fixing the ECRL just to the dorsal aspect of the distal scaphoid with a screw. However, this technique only controlled 1 aspect of the deformity (flexion of the scaphoid). As García Elías described, the ideal tenodesis should prevent rotary subluxation (flexion and pronation) of the scaphoid and extension-ulnar translation of the lunate. Although most modern techniques would include these aspects, most types of these tendon reconstructions are technically difficult to carry out with the need to drill several carpal bones. On the basis of the similar concepts of tendon stabilization, we developed a reconstructive technique that uses a strip of the ECRL combined with a DICL capsulodesis (Fig. 1) by a unique dorsal approach. Our tendon reconstruction technique may offer several advantages: (1) as a single dorsal approach is needed and suture anchors are used, it is technically simpler than other procedures; (2) tunnels through the scaphoid are not required, and thus, the risk of fracture or necrosis is avoided; (3) the tenodesis can be combined with a FIGURE 5. Reducibility is checked by direct manipulation with 2 K-wires inserted into the scaphoid and lunate as joysticks. If all cartilage is intact and good reducibility of the carpal malalignment is achieved, a combined dorsal tenodesiscapsulodesis is indicated. well-known capsulodesis (Walsh-technique) 6 by the same dorsal approach seeking more consistent and predictable prevention of radiographic deterioration without adding increased morbidity. The purpose of this article is to describe our preferred surgical option for the treatment of this challenging injury since the senior researcher (PDC) developed this technique in INDICATIONS/CONTRAINDICATIONS When selecting treatment for chronic SLD one must first establish whether there is dynamic or static carpal instability. Patients with dynamic instability have normal radiographs, and their diagnosis is made by physical examination with tenderness over the scapholunate interval and a positive scaphoid shift maneuver. Carpal malalignment can only be seen by radiologic stress-views. Reviews of surgical treatment of dynamic carpal instability report equally high success rates with both tenodesis as capsulodesis. 11,12,14 16 Thus, in these cases we prefer to carry out a dorsal capsulodesis as described by Walsh et al using the dorsal intercarpal ligament, which is technically simpler. In contrast, treatment of those patients with a static instability remains controversial. The long-term results are still unpredictable, with no optimal procedure. 14,17 19 As described by García Elías et al, 12 we believe that patients with static reducible scapholunate instability without arthritis represent the best candidates to carry out some 8 r 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

4 Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery Volume 15, Number 1, March 2011 Chronic Scapholunate Dissociation FIGURE 6. Through the same dorsal approach a distally based strip of the ECRL is harvested. type of tendon reconstruction to stabilize not only the proximal SL joint but also the distal palmar component of the scaphoid. Contraindications for some type of soft-tissue procedure include those cases in which it is impossible to make an anatomic reduction of carpal bones (static irreducible instability) or when radiocarpal osteoarthritic changes are already present. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE A 6 to 8 cm, S-shaped longitudinal incision of the skin and subcutaneous tissue is made on the dorsal aspect of the wrist centered on Lister tubercle (Fig. 2). The dorsal-sensory branches of the radial and ulnar nerve are identified and meticulously spared. The extensor retinaculum is divided along the third compartment and the extensor pollicis longus tendon is retracted radially. The retinacular septa between compartments II and IV are sectioned and the 2 retinacular flaps are sharply separated from the wrist capsule, elevated, and retracted. Arthrotomy is carried out by a radially based capsular flap as described by Berger et al 20 after the dorsal rim of the radius, the radial border of the RTqL and the proximal edge of the DICL (Fig. 3). Care is taken to leave enough dorsal RTqL and DICL to facilitate later tensioning of the tendon reconstruction and creation of the dorsal capsulodesis. Once the proximal row is exposed the SL joint is inspected and the presence of a complete rupture of the SL ligaments with a static carpal instability is confirmed (Fig. 4). The scaphoid seems subluxated in a rotary fashion whereas the lunate seems abnormally ulnarly translated and extended. Reducibility is FIGURE 7. A channel is carved over the dorsal aspect of the scaphoid and lunate to uncover cancellous bone. Once the tendon strip has been passed under the dorsal capsule, the tendon strip is fixed on the distal and proximal poles of the scaphoid and lunate with 3 sutures anchors (stars) and finally sutured to de RTqL. Care is taken not to detach the scaphoid fibers of the DICL. checked under fluoroscopy control by direct manipulation with K-wires as joysticks (Fig. 5). At this stage the surgeon should confirm that the scaphoid and lunate are reducible and that there are no cartilage changes. The 2 bones (scaphoid and lunate) are reduced and percutaneously stabilizated with two 1.5 mm K-wires across the SL joint, or 1 across the SL joint and another across the SC joint. After carpal reduction and stabilization a distally based 5-cm long strip of ECRL is obtained through the same dorsal approach (Fig. 6) and passed under the dorsal capsule. Pulled distally, the tendon strip is fixed on the dorsal aspect of the distal scaphoid with an anchor suture to augment the palmar-distal connections of the scaphoid and prevent rotary subluxation. A channel is carved over the dorsal aspect of the scaphoid and lunate to uncover cancellous bone to facilitate the process of tendon to bone incorporation. Then, without releasing the tendon tension the strip is fixed on the proximal pole of the scaphoid and lunate with another 2 anchor sutures to reconstruct the dorsal SL ligament (Fig. 7). The end of the tendon is finally sutured onto the distal portion of the RTq ligament to reduce ulnar translation and extension of the lunate. Once the tendon reconstruction is finished, reinforcement is made with a dorsal capsulodesis as described by Walsh et al. A radially based strip of the dorsal intercarpal ligament is rotated proximally and is attached to the proximal pole of the scaphoid and lunate with the same anchor sutures earlier used (Fig. 8). The capsular r 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 9

5 De Carli et al Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery Volume 15, Number 1, March 2011 FIGURE 8. Reinforcement of the tenodesis is made with a proximal strip of the DICL attached to the proximal pole of the scaphoid and lunate with the same anchors. flap is then brought back to its original position and sutured (Fig. 9). The extensor retinaculum is finally reconstructed and the skin is closed. No drains are placed. Immediate postoperative x-rays showing the restoration of carpal alignment are taken and a short-arm spica cast is placed and maintained with the K-wires for 8 weeks. REHABILITATION Eight weeks after surgery, the K-wires and cast are removed. A protective wrist splint must be worn for another 4 weeks and a program of passive and active wrist range of motion under supervision is started. Patients are instructed to avoid forceful axial loading of the wrist, particularly in extension as with weight lifting or push-ups, for 6 months. COMPLICATIONS Potential complications include infection, chronic regional pain syndrome type I, radial neuroma, joint stiffness, and chondrolysis or osteolysis owing to the placement of the pins and anchors. In our series, there were no instances of these FIGURE 9. The capsular flap is then brought back to its original position and sutured. The extensor retinaculum is finally reconstructed and the skin is closed. Immediate postoperative x-rays showing the restoration of carpal alignment are taken and a short-arm spica cast is placed for 8 weeks. problems. No second surgeries have been necessary so far. As usual in this type of procedure, it is expected to find some limitation of mobility, especially wrist flexion. RESULTS Sixteen patients (16 wrists) with a symptomatic chronic SLD (Stage IV of García Elías-classification) were surgically treated using this combined tenodesis-capsulodesis from September 2003 until November We recently reviewed retrospectively the first 8 wrists in 8 patients (7 men, 1 woman; average age: 39 y, range: 30 to 52 y) with a flexible static SLD and a minimum 1 year of follow-up (average: 23 mo, range: 12 to 58 mo). After surgery all patients noted pain relief. According to the visual analog scale (VAS: 0 to 10), the average postoperative pain was 3 (range: 1 to 5). The mean postoperative DASH score was 13 (range: 0.83 to 30). The mean postoperative Wrightington score was 73 (65 to 90). TABLE 1. Radiographic Results Preopertive Immediate Postoperative Final Evaluation Contralateral Scapholunate space 4.6 mm 2.1 mm 2.6 mm 1.8 mm Radioscaphoid 23 degrees 55 degrees 38 degrees 42 degrees angle Scapholunate angle 82 degrees 38 degrees 60 degrees 52 degrees 10 r 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

6 Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery Volume 15, Number 1, March 2011 Chronic Scapholunate Dissociation Functional results were excellent in 2 cases and good in 6 cases. As expected, it was radiologically observed in all cases some loss of reduction initially obtained. However, none of them had a recurrence of carpal collapse (Table 1). Our results are comparable with other tendon reconstruction techniques earlier described for static SLD. Therefore, we conclude that this new ECRL tenodesis combined with a DICL capsulodesis represent a reliable option for chronic SLD with a static reducible carpal instability. REFERENCES 1. Blatt G. Capsulodesis in reconstructive hand surgery. Dorsal capsulodesis for the unstable scaphoid and volar capsulodesis following excision of the distal ulna. Hand Clin. 1987;3: Herbert TJ, Hargreaves IC, Clarke AM. A new surgical technique for treating rotary instability of the scaphoid. Hand Surg. 1996;1: Linscheid RL, Dobyns JH. Treatment of scapholunate dissociation. Rotatory subluxation of the scaphoid. Hand Clin. 1992;8: Slater RR Jr, Szabo RM. Scapholunate dissociation: treatment with the dorsal intercarpal ligament capsulodesis. Tech Hand Upper Extrem Surg. 1999;3: Schweizer A, Steiger R. Long-term results after repair and augmentation ligamentoplasty of totatory subluxation of the scaphoid. J Hand Surg. 2002;27A: Walsh JJ, Berger RA, Cooney WP. Current status of scapholunate interosseous ligament injuries. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2002; 10: Dobyns JH, Linscheid RL, Chao EYS, et al. Traumatic instability of the wrist. Instr Course Lect. 1975;24: Almquist EE, Bach AW, Sack JT, et al. Four-bone ligament reconstruction for treatment of chronic complete scapholunate separation. J Hand Surg. 1991;16A: Linscheid RL, Dobyns JH. Treatment of scapholunate dissociation. Hand Clin. 1992;8: Burnelli GA, Brunelli GR. A new technique to correct carpal instability with scaphoid rotary subluxation: a preliminary report. J Hand Surg Am. 1995;20A:S82 S Van Den Abeele KL, Loh YC, Stanley JK, et al. Early results of a modified Brunelli procedure for scapholunate instability. J Hand Surg Br. 1998;23B: García-Elías M, Lluch AL, Stanley JK. Three-ligament tenodesis for the treatment of scapholunate dissociation: indications and surgical technique. J Hand Surg Am. 2006;31A: Bleuler P, Shafighi M, Donati OF, et al. Dynamic repair of scapholunate dissociation with dorsal extensor carpi radialis longus tenodesis. J Hand Surg. 2008;33A: Moran SL, Cooney WP, Berger RA, et al. Capsulodesis for the treatment of chronic scapholunate instability. J Hand Surg Am. 2005;30A: Seradge H, Baer C, Dalsimer D, et al. Treatment of dynamic scaphoid instability. J Trauma. 2004;56: Wintman BI, Gelberman RH, Katz JN. Dynamic scapholunate instability: results of operative treatment with dorsal capsulodesis. J Hand Surg Am. 1995;20A: Deshmukh SC, Givissis P, Belloso D, et al. Blatt s capsulodesis for chronic scapholunate dissociation. J Hand Surg Br. 1999;24B: Gajendran VK, Peterson B, Slater RR, et al. Long-term outcomes of dorsal intercarpal ligament capsulodesis for cronic scapholunate dissociation. J Hand Surg Am. 2007;32A: Zarkadas PC, Gropper PT, White NJ, et al. A survey of the surgical management of acute and chronic scapholunate instability. J Hand Surg Am. 2004;29A: Berger RA, Bishop AT, Bettinger PC. New dorsal capsulotomy for the surgical exposure of the wrist. Ann Plast Surg. 1995;35: r 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 11