Arthrographic evaluation of the carpal triangular fibrocartilage complex.

One hundred sixty-two patients had analyses for correlation of triangular fibrocartilage abnormalities (TFCC), with duration and location of pain and other possible associated radiographic, scintigraphic, and arthrographic abnormalities. Results indicated that TFCC perforations did not correlate with any pain complex or other associated radiographic, arthrographic, or scintigraphic abnormality. No association with carpal instability or with ulnar variance could be identified. No definition between perforations that were posttraumatic and those that were the results of a degenerative process could be made. Several small defects on both the proximal and distal surfaces of the TFCC were identified. They do not appear to have been reported previously in the literature. Their significance is discussed.