Traumatic lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex of the wrist (TFCC) without frank instability of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) often present late with persistent ulnar-sided wrist pain. Avulsion tears from the base of the ulnar styloid: Palmer type 1-B are amenable to arthroscopic repair due to their peripheral location. The aim of this presentation is to discuss the arthroscopic findings, demonstrate the operative technique and review results of arthroscopic repair.

In this series of 18 cases, the diagnosis of TFCC tear was made clinically. None of the patients had noticeable subluxation of the DRUJ, but the joint was unstable on stress testing and all failed a trial of conservative treatment.

The operative technique will be demonstrated by video. The forearm was immobilised for six weeks after surgery in a custom-fitted brace that allowed wrist movement after three weeks.

Follow-up (range from 6-24 months) was available for 14 cases. One tear recurred 11 months after surgery while lifting weights and 1 patient required removal of a symptomatic suture. The results of this study suggest that arthroscopic surgery is a safe and effective way to treat Palmer type 1-B tears of the TFCC in patients without obvious instability of the DRUJ.