ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to verify the relationship between the residual pain and preoperative carpal instability, as well as the generalized laxity after open excision of wrist ganglion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients, who received open excision of wrist ganglion, were retrospectively enrolled. The relationships between residual pain (visual analogue scale, VAS) and postoperative function (quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand, quick-DASH), between residual pain and preoperative carpal instability, as well as generalized laxity were evaluated. The carpal instability was assessed from radiologic carpal instability (dorsal intercalated segment instability and volar intercalated segment instability) and Watson scaphoid shift test. The generalized laxity was assessed by the Beighton hypermobility score. RESULTS: Pain VAS and quick-DASH were significantly improved postoperatively. There was a significant difference in postoperative residual pain between those with (n=6) and without carpal instability (n=58) (+: 2.50±1.76 vs. −: 1.18±1.24; p=0.022), but there was no correlation between carpal instability and postoperative quick-DASH. Both postoperative residual pain and quick-DASH had no correlation with generalized laxity (n=18). CONCLUSION: Patients with preoperative carpal instability had greater residual pain after excision of wrist ganglion than those without.