Comparison of Midcarpal versus Radiocarpal Arthroscopy of Interosseous Ligament Injuries in the Wrist

Purpose: To analyze the findings of midcarpal and radiocarpal arthroscopic examinations in the diagnosis of wrist trauma and pathology focusing on interosseous ligament laxity. Materials and Methods: Forty-one midcarpal arthroscopic examinations were performed in conjunction with radiocarpal arthroscopic examinations. Thirty-one wrists with distal radius fracture and ten wrists with triangular fibrocartilage complex tear were included. Scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligament laxity was graded by using the Geissler classification and radiocarpal and midcarpal arthroscopic findings were compared. Results: For scapholunate findings midcarpal arthroscopy confirmed radiocarpal findings in 14 cases and provided a diagnosis in 6 cases. For lunotriquetral findings midcarpal arthroscopy confirmed radiocarpal findings in 13 cases and provided a diagnosis in 6 cases. Conclusion: Midcarpal arthroscopy added more statistically significant information to the results of radiocarpal examination than wrist arthroscopy performed without a midcarpal examination.