Abstract

Objectives: Although many techniques have been described in the literature for the treatment of scapholunate (SL) instability, there is no standard treatment for this most common form of carpal instability. However, arthroscopic ligamento capsulodesis offers some advantages over open techniques.
Methods: Fourteen patients (eight male, six female) who underwent dorsal arthroscopic capsulodesis between 2016 and 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 34 years (range, 20–42). Preoperative and postoperative grip strength, range of motion, MAYO wrists scores, and pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores were compared.
Results: There was a statistically significant difference in mean flexion and extension range of motion before and after surgery (p = 0.004). There was also a statistically significant difference between pre- and postoperative mean VAS values (p = 0.001). Excellent results were obtained in ten patients, and good results were obtained in four patients. There was a statistically significant difference in grip strength before and after surgery (p < 0.001). There were no complications related to the procedure.
Conclusion: Arthroscopic capsulodesis can be considered in Geissler stage 2 and 3 SL instability, since the treatment is minimally invasive, and does not damage the extrinsic wrist ligament complex.

Key words: Carpal instability; scapholunate instability; wrist arthroscopy; arthroscopic capsulodesis