Prospective cohort reporting minimum 5-year outcomes (mean 86 months) of dorsal intercarpal ligament capsulodesis (DILC) for chronic flexible static scapholunate dissociation in 16 wrists. Asks whether the early radiographic and functional gains seen at 25-month follow-up are maintained over the long term.
When counseling a patient with chronic flexible static scapholunate dissociation about DILC, set realistic expectations: the procedure reliably improves symptoms and preserves function in the majority, but expect radiographic deterioration and a ~50% rate of arthritic changes over 7 years — reserve it for patients with pain refractory to conservative care who have no pre-existing arthritis and are not heavy manual laborers.
Prospective cohort reporting minimum 5-year outcomes (mean 86 months) of dorsal intercarpal ligament capsulodesis (DILC) for chronic flexible static scapholunate dissociation in 16 wrists. Asks whether the early radiographic and functional gains seen at 25-month follow-up are maintained over the long term.
When counseling a patient with chronic flexible static scapholunate dissociation about DILC, set realistic expectations: the procedure reliably improves symptoms and preserves function in the majority, but expect radiographic deterioration and a ~50% rate of arthritic changes over 7 years — reserve it for patients with pain refractory to conservative care who have no pre-existing arthritis and are not heavy manual laborers.