Arthroscopically Diagnosed Scapholunate Ligament Injuries Associated With Distal Radial Fractures: A 13- to 15-Year Follow-Up

Purpose To evaluate the natural history of untreated complete or partial scapholunate (SL) ligament tears associated with displaced distal radius fractures. Methods Between 1995 and 1997, 51 consecutive patients aged Results Thirty-eight of the 51 original patients participated in the long-term follow-up. Mean grip strength was 83% relative to the contralateral hand in patients with a complete tear, as compared with 92% in patients with partial or no SL tears (nonsignificant). Median Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire score was 2 (range, 0‒55) for complete SL tears, compared with 9 (range, 0‒70) for the others (nonsignificant). No differences were found regarding visual analog scale pain or wrist motion/forearm rotation. None of the patients developed a static SL dissociation or a SL advanced collapse wrist. Conclusions No major differences were found in the subjective, objective, or radiographic outcome after a complete (grade 3) or partial (grade 1 or 2) SL untreated tear associated with displaced distal radius fracture. It should be noted that none of the patients had a grade 4 SL tear, which may have a different outcome. Type of study/level of evidence Prognostic II.