Scapholunate ligament repair and capsulodesis for the treatment of static scapholunate dissociation

Twenty-four patients were treated with scapholunate ligament repair and dorsal capsulodesis for scapholunate dissociation. Seventeen patients were available for follow-up at an average of 30 months. The average interval between injury and surgery was 3 months. At final follow-up, no patients were pain-free. Average total wrist motion was 60% and grip strength 70% of the opposite normal side. The average preoperative scapholunate angle was 78 degrees and was corrected to a normal 47 degrees at surgery. The average final scapholunate angle was 72 degrees, which was not significantly different from the preoperative value. The scapholunate gap likewise was not significantly changed postoperatively. Only two patients had an excellent or good outcome using a clinical grading system, and six out of 17 scored good or excellent using a radiographic grading system. In conclusion, repair of the scapholunate ligament with dorsal capsulodesis failed to provide consistent pain relief and maintain carpal alignment in patients with static scapholunate instability.