Abstract
Background The dorsal intercarpal ligament (DIC) is an elegant dorsal stabilizer of the proximal
carpal row, including the scaphoid's proximal pole and scapholunate joint. Along with
the dorsal radiocarpal (DRC) ligament, it acts as a dorsal radioscaphoid stabilizer,
with dynamism due to its ability to modify its length up to threefold by changing
the angles between its V-shaped bundle morphology. The DIC ligament consistently originates
from the dorsal tubercle of the triquetrum on the ulnar side. It spans transversely,
attaching to the dorsal groove of the scaphoid (97–100%), lunate (75–90%), and proximal
rim of the trapezium (12.5–50%), and overlapping the lunotriquetral interosseous ligament
and the scapholunate interosseous ligament. Together with the DRC, Viegas et al (Viegas
SF, Yamaguchi S, Boyd NL, Patterson RM. The dorsal ligaments of the wrist: anatomy,
mechanical properties, and function. J Hand Surg Am 1999;24(3):456–468) proposed that
this ligament complex should be called the “lateral-V construct.”
Anatomical Variant The authors present a unique type C variant of the DIC ligament, showing a distinct
thick bundle directed at the dorsal aspect of the second metacarpal base that thus
creates a “lateral-W construct.” This dorsal triquetro-metacarpal 2 (dTqMC2) ligament
acts as restraint to the body of the capitate and will provide enhanced stability
of the dorsal midcarpal joint by limiting dorsal translation of the capitate in relation
to the lunate.
Clinical Relevance Our finding may contribute to the increasing knowledge of the dorsal ligament complex
and its role in dorsal midcarpal instability, as well as surgical repair techniques.
Keywords
wrist - dorsal ligament complex - dorsal intercarpal ligament - anatomy variations
- carpal instability
