INTRODUCTION: Chronic scapholunate Geissler grade 3C ligament injuries remain difficult to treat, with a limited consensus on long-term outcomes of joint-preserving procedures. The modified Viegas dorsal capsuloplasty has been proposed as a less invasive surgical option, but long-term data are scarce.
METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients with arthroscopically confirmed Geissler grade 3C scapholunate ligament injuries treated with modified Viegas capsuloplasty between 2007 and 2016. Clinical and functional outcomes were assessed at long-term follow-up, including range of wrist motion, pain, functional scores and return to high-demand activities. Complications, degenerative progression and revision procedures were recorded.
RESULTS: At long-term follow-up, patients showed preserved range of wrist motion, low residual pain levels and satisfactory functional outcomes. Most patients involved in high-demand activities were able to return to their previous level of activity with minimal limitations. Complications were infrequent and consisted mainly of isolated cases of degenerative progression or the need for revision surgery.
CONCLUSION: The modified Viegas dorsal capsuloplasty provides reliable long-term clinical and functional outcomes for chronic Geissler grade 3C scapholunate ligament injuries, with a low complication rate and preservation of wrist motion. It represents a safe and effective joint-preserving surgical option in appropriately selected patients.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.
Read the article: PubMed · Publisher (DOI)