Volar Capsulodesis in the Management of Dynamic Scapholunate Instability

Dorsal capsulodesis has been used for decades in the surgical management of scapholunate instability; however, the outcomes of dorsal capsulodesis have been inconsistent in terms of pain relief, and this procedure has not been shown to prevent the long-term development of SLAC arthritis. Newer types of volar capsulodesis have been described to treat early dynamic injuries confined to the volar and membranous portion of the ligament. This volar capsulodesis is minimally invasive and preserves wrist motion. Within this chapter, we will describe our rationale for the management of early dynamic injuries in young athletic patients with the use of a volar capsulodesis.