J Am Acad Orthop Sur
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Perilunate injuries are severe disruptions of the carpus, which present a formidable challenge to the treating physician. Accurate recognition of the pattern of injury is not always straightforward. The injury can propagate through ligaments and/or bone, creating multiple variations of a basic injury pattern. ⋯ However, subsequent closed or open reduction is necessary to restore anatomic alignment of all injured structures. The outcome of perilunate injuries correlates with the adequacy of reduction. Complications such as chondrolysis, carpal instability, and traumatic arthritis can occur despite satisfactory treatment.