Instructional course lectures
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Although perilunate injuries represent only 5% of all carpal injuries, they compose a spectrum of devastating complex wrist injuries. Perilunate injuries result from high-energy trauma to the wrist and may be associated with multiple fractures, dislocations, and ligament injuries. Although the diagnosis of a perilunate injury is made via radiographic assessment, missed diagnosis occurs in 25% of patients with a perilunate injury. ⋯ Radiocarpal fracture-dislocations generally result from high-energy trauma and are characterized by a carpal dislocation, which usually involves a small portion of the rim of the dorsal or volar aspect of the distal radius. Neurologic dysfunction and elevated intracompartment pressure may be present in patients with a radiocarpal fracture-dislocation. Wrist fracture-dislocations are associated with a number of complications, including intercarpal instability, later arthrosis, carpal nonunion, and loss of radiocarpal mobility.