Case 19
History:
32 year old male with recent right hand injury
Findings:
Radiographs showing dorsal dislocation of the capitate in relationship to the lunate and distal radius. In addition there is presence of a mid body fracture of the scaphoid bone.
Diagnosis:
Discussion:
If left untreated leads to high incidence of long term functional disability and chronic pain. Perilunate dislocations more common than lunate dislocations. Most commonly dorsal dislocation. The perilunate dislocation most often results from a backwards fall on an extended wrist disrupting the scaphoid ligaments. The capitate is dorsally located relative to the lunate. The lunate bone maintains its normal relationship with the radius. 75 percent of the cases are accompanied by fractures with the most common being the scaphoid waist, but radial styloid, capitate, and ulnar styloid fractures have been described.
References:
- Niazi TB: Volar perilunate dislocation of the carpus: a case report and elucidation of its mechanism of occurrence Injury. 1996 Apr;27(3):209-11.
