J Wrist Surg 2021; 10(01): 058-063
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1712518
Case Report

Three Cases of Translunate Perilunate Injury Treated with Wrist Arthroscopy

1   Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
,
Pak C. Ho
2   Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Background An acute fracture of the lunate is an uncommon injury with the reported incidence ranging from 0.5 to 1% of all carpal bone fractures. The combination of lunate fracture and perilunate injury is even rarer and Bain et al first introduced the “translunate arc concept” in 2008. We reported three cases of translunate perilunate injury treated with wrist arthroscopy.

Materials and Methods All the three cases had been treated successfully with the use of wrist arthroscopy. A novel technique of arthroscopic reduction and fixation of a volar pole of lunate fracture was illustrated. The lunate fracture healed in all cases with normal carpal alignment.

Results All patients achieved a painless and functional joint with good range of motion at an average follow-up of 15 months. There was no radiological evidence of avascular necrosis of the lunate in all three cases.

Conclusion Translunate perilunate injury is rare and a high index of suspicion is necessary for diagnosis. There was no consensus on the surgical approach to this kind of injury. Wrist arthroscopy had proven to be successful in treating the greater and lesser arc perilunate injury. For translunate perilunate injury, wrist arthroscopy is also a feasible option with the advantages of lower risk of arthrofibrosis and avascular necrosis.



Publication History

Received: 07 April 2020

Accepted: 15 April 2020

Article published online:
17 June 2020

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