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Authors

Pavel Dráč, Matej Kastelec, Fabio A Suarez

Executive Editor

Simon Lambert

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Lunotriquetral ligament repair

1. General considerations

A lunotriquetral ligament rupture should be reduced and repaired, eg, with suture anchors and temporary K-wire joint transfixation.

Lunotriquetral ligament repair with a suture anchor and K-wire joint transfixation

2. Reduction

At the subsequent surgery, insert a joystick K-wire into each the lunate and the triquetrum.

Lunotriquetral ligament rupture – Reduction of the lunotriquetral joint with K-wire joystick technique

Reduce the lunotriquetral joint with the K-wires to close the gap.

Pointed reduction forceps may be used to hold the reduction.

Lunotriquetral ligament rupture - Reducing the lunotriquetral joint with K-wires and reduction forceps

3. Ligament repair

Principles

In most cases, the lunotriquetral ligament is torn from the lunate.

Usually, reduction and temporary fixation of the lunotriquetral relationship is all that is possible from the dorsal aspect.

Lunotriquetral ligament torn from the lunate

K-wire transfixation

Reduce the lunotriquetral relationship and insert two 1.4 mm K-wires percutaneously from the triquetrum into the lunate.

Confirm the reduction using image intensification.

K-wire transfixation of the lunotriquetral joint

Ligament repair

If there is sufficient ligament remnant, repair with a bone anchor is possible. Insert a suture anchor into the debrided area of the avulsion.

If there is a larger bony avulsion of the lunotriquetral ligament from either bone, the fragment can be fixed with fine K-wires or a small screw.

Lunotriquetral ligament repair with a suture anchor and K-wire joint transfixation

After final confirmation of accuracy of realignment, using image intensification, cut and bend over the K-wires, so that they do not protrude through the skin.

Lunotriquetral ligament repair with a suture anchor and K-wire joint transfixation
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