Internal Brace for Scapholunate Ligament Repair Shows Early Failures

A systematic review of 11 studies (161 wrists) evaluated internal brace augmentation added to scapholunate interosseous ligament repair or reconstruction. The review found that in the two comparative studies, adding the internal brace did not improve pain, function, or disability versus surgery without it, and in single-arm series the longest-follow-up study (mean 50 months) reported structural failure in 44% of patients, with perianchor osteolysis ranging from 36% to 59% across studies that assessed it. The authors state that most included studies had short follow-up and methodological limitations likely overestimating benefit and underestimating harm, and conclude that apparent benefits are likely overstated pending prospective studies with at least 5 years of follow-up.

Most relevant for: Surgeons and patients considering internal brace augmentation for scapholunate interosseous ligament injury repair or reconstruction.

Summary written by an AI model from the source text and dated by the source's publication date. Check the original before acting on it. How MedFollow selects and summarizes updates.

Informational only. Not medical advice. Not a substitute for clinical judgment. Always consult current guidelines and your own clinical judgment.