[Primary arthroscopic treatment of TFCC tears in fractures of the distal radius].

The primary simultaneous diagnosis and therapy of TFCC tears in distal radius fractures is still the exception. We present our results of arthroscopic treatment of these injuries. From January 1998 until September 1999, we treated 21 patients with a type C fracture (AO classification) of the distal radius and one patient with a scaphoid fracture and TFCC tears. The Palmer 1A (n = 5) and 1 C (n = 4) tears have been arthroscopically shaved as well as the meniscal tear (n = 1). The Palmer 1B tears were refixed either in an outside-inside technique (n = 6) or in a new all-inside technique (n = 6). Palmer 1D tears were refixed in the Fellinger technique (n = 5). In the clinical follow-up examination six to fifteen months later, we saw symptoms of ulnar-sided wrist pain only in one case of a Palmer 1B tear treated in an outside-inside technique. Especially the patients treated by the new all-inside technique were free from symptoms of TFCC instability. We conclude, that arthroscopic treatment of TFCC tears in acute radius fractures is possible with good results. The new technique of all-inside repair is minimally invasive and shows good results.