Lunate fractures in the face of a perilunate injury: an uncommon and easily missed injury pattern

Lunate fractures are rare and are usually associated with high-energy trauma. Typically, they are described in isolation or with associated carpal injuries such as scaphoid, capitate, or radial styloid fractures. We report a case of a complex lunate fracture in combination with a perilunate dissociation injury.     

Anatomy and pathomechanics of ring and small finger carpometacarpal joint injuries

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to detail the pathomechanics and pathoanatomy of fracture dislocations of the ring finger and small finger carpometacarpal (CMC) joint by duplicating the pathomechanics of the fist blow. METHODS: A custom-made jig was used to position 20 fresh-frozen cadaver upper extremities in forearm neutral rotation, 90 degrees of elbow flexion, 20 degrees of wrist extension, and 20 degrees and 30 degrees of flexion at the ring and small finger CMC joint, respectively. First 7.7 kg of weight were dropped from a height of 0.76 m to 1.1 m to axially load the ring and small metacarpal (MC) heads through a custom-made apparatus. Fluoroscopic examination before and after loading, and detailed dissection after loading, were used to identify any osseous and/or ligamentous injuries. RESULTS: The most common fractures were a dorsal capitate fracture and a middle MC dorsal base fracture. The most common combinations of fractures were the dorsal capitate and dorsal hamate fractures. Multiple fractures often were identified in a number of locations including dorsally: the capitate, hamate, and index through small metacarpal bases, and volarly: the hook of the hamate and the middle through the small MC bases. CONCLUSIONS: The patterns of injuries encountered at the ring and small CMC joints can be explained by the direction and force of the applied load, position of the CMC joint at the time of loading, and the constraints imposed by specific CMC ligaments. A detailed analysis of the fracture patterns and associated ligament anatomy suggests that the typical ring and small carpometacarpal fracture dislocations are a more complex combination of fractures than identified by plain radiographs alone. The complexity of these injuries is greater than previously recognized and is most likely the result of a combination of axial load and shear stresses resulting in carpal fractures and ligament avulsions as well as fracture dislocations. This study suggests that computed tomography may be the preferred diagnostic imaging method for complete assessment of these injuries.     

Established non-union of an operatively managed trans-scaphoid perilunate fracture dislocation progressing to spontaneous union

Perilunate dislocations and fracture dislocations represent uncommon and unusual injuries that are often missed at initial presentation and diagnosed late in up to 25% of cases. Prompt open reduction, carpal stabilisation and ligamentous repair is required to reduce the risk of complications. We report a case of an established scaphoid non-union in an operatively managed perilunate fracture dislocation that spontaneously united almost 2 years after the initial injury, just before a planned revision scaphoid fixation with bone grafting. This case highlights the importance of initial clinical assessment together with appropriate radiographs and follow-up of these injuries post-operatively, especially when complications such as non-union arise.     

Fractures of the Coronoid Process of the Ulna: Which Ones to Fix and Which Ones to Leave Alone: A Review

Abstract The coronoid process of the ulna forms the anterior boundary of the trochlear notch and is crucial for elbow stability. Coronoid fractures are uncommon and they occur in aproximately 10% of elbow dislocations. They are mostly associated with ligamentous and capsular disruptions as well as concomitant fractures. Posterior elbow dislocations, combined with fractures of the coronoid and the radial head are known as the terrible-triad of the elbow. These injuries result in instability of the elbowjoint and, if not treated properly, lead to recurrent dislocations that can cause further damage. Depending on the pattern of the injury and the quality of the bone, the surgeon has to choose from a variety of treatment options. Large coronoid fragments and other associated fractures are ideally treated by ORIF (open reduction internal fixation); a prosthetic radial head replacement may be favorable if a comminuted radial head fracture is not reconstructable. Isolated small coronoid process fractures can be treated non-operatively with satisfactory results. Although rough guidelines can bemade, it is important to view each patient's elbow injury individually and then make a specific treatment plan. Data on treatment results are sparse. Improved understanding of coronoid fractures and their management will result in better outcomes and decrease possible complications including a certain degree of stiffness, neuropathy and arthrosis.     

Injuries to the distal femur and patella

Injuries around the knee are often high-energy injuries. The anatomy of the distal femoral physis contributes to its stability and hence high energy is required for disruption of this physis. As the distal femur contributes to the majority of the growth of the lower limb, injury to this growth plate has a high incidence of growth disturbance. Supracondylar femoral fractures can be difficult to reduce and fix due to the short metaphyseal segment. Patellar dislocations are commonly seen in adolescents. Patellar fractures are the result of direct or indirect trauma in children. These can be associated with osteochondral fragments and sleeve fractures often seen in children. Mechanisms of injury, associated anatomy and management options for distal femoral fractures, distal femoral physeal injuries and patella injuries are discussed in this article.     

Greater arc injury of the wrist with fractured lunate bone: a case report

Carpal dislocation and fracture dislocation are uncommon and difficult to treat. Early diagnosis and treatment of such injuries are necessary to prevent progressive carpal instability and traumatic arthritis. Perilunate fracture dislocation is a combination of ligamentous and osseous injuries that involve the 'greater arc' of the perilunate. Despite being severe, these injuries often go unrecognised in the emergency department, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. We present a case of greater arc injury of the right wrist with fractures of the lunate and ulnar styloid without perilunate dislocation. This pattern of injury cannot be classified in the available literature on greater arc injury.     

Greater Arch Injuries

Dislocations and fracture dislocations of carpal bones are uncommon injuries which invariably poses challenges in the management. Perilunate fracture dislocations are the combination of ligamentous and osseous injury that involve the “greater arc” of the perilunate associated instability. Despite their severity, these injuries often go unrecognized in the emergency department leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. A Prospective study was done from June 2008 to December 2013 in 15 cases of complex wrist injuries which included of greater arch injuries, perilunate fracture dislocation and one dorsal dislocation of Scaphoid. 10 cases of perilunate fracture dislocation underwent open reduction and internal fixation with Herbert screw and k-wire, 4 cases of greater arch injury underwent closed reduction and kwire fixation and one case of neglected dorsal dislocation underwent proximal row carpectomy. One patient had Sudecks osteodystrophy 1 had Scaphoid nonunion and 6 had median nerve compression. Overall outcome according to Mayo wrist score was 53 % excellent, 33 % good and 14 % fair. Greater arch injuries are difficult to treat because injuries to many ligaments are involved and failure to recognize early leads to persistent pain, disability and early onset of arthritis. Prompt recognition requires CT scan and MRI. Management requires reduction and multiple K-Wiring according to merits of the case.     

Behandlung von Handwurzelfrakturen

The primary goal in the treatment of carpal fractures is the preservation of a painless wrist function. Scaphoid fractures are the most common carpal fractures and when such a fracture is clinically suspected CT or MRI scans are usually advisable. Only stable and non-displaced scaphoid fractures can be treated conservatively, all other fractures require internal fixation with restoration of normal anatomy. Second most common are fractures of the triquetrum which can occur as chip avulsions of the dorsal rim and are usually treated symptomatically. Fractures of the body of the triquetrum should be treated according to the degree of instability and displacement. This is virtually true for all carpal bones. Perilunate fracture dislocations of the carpus deserve special attention. In these severe injuries a fracture line can run through all carpal bones but the scaphoid is mostly affected. Accurate reduction and internal fixation by screws and K-wires are indicated not only in these cases, but also in carpometacarpal fracture dislocations.     

Complex instability of the elbow

Injuries to the elbow are commonly encountered in orthopaedic practice. They range from low energy, simple isolated fractures, to high energy complex fracture dislocations with severe ligamentous disruption. Recognising the precise pattern of injury is critical in restoring elbow function and preventing chronic instability, pain and weakness. This article discusses the important osseous and ligamentous stabilisers of the elbow joint and provides management protocols for the common patterns of complex injury encountered by the practising surgeon.     

Diagnostik und Therapie von radiokarpalen Luxationsfrakturen

In contrast to the common intra- or extra-articular fractures of the distal radius, radiocarpal fracture dislocations are rare injuries. Concerning this issue, only a small number of publications can be found. Nevertheless, it is important to be informed about this injury since prompt operative treatment is often required and immobilization alone will not be sufficient. Sometimes, radiocarpal fracture dislocations are combined with carpal injuries. In such cases, both the radiocarpal dislocation and carpal injury have to be treated. Diagnostic difficulties can lead to misinterpretation or underdiagnosis. Insufficient reduction and fixation may result in joint incongruity and subsequent osteoarthritis. Reconstruction of the radiocarpal ligaments is a substantial part of operative treatment.     

Current concepts review: carpal injuries - fractures, ligaments, dislocations

An overview about current concepts in treating carpal injuries is presented. These injuries are more commonly seen in young, active individuals after a fall on an outstretched hand. Conventional radiographs and a thorough examination are important. The scaphoid is the most affected bone. Scaphoid fractures can be classified in accordance to OTA, AO, and other classification systems, but mostly to Herbert. It can be treated non-operatively if undisplaced, however a percutaneous internal fixation can be discussed to achieve earlier return to work and shorter time to union, but hazarding the consequences of an operation. Unstable, proximal pole, or delayed diagnosed scaphoid fractures should be treated surgically. Nonunion is seen in 5 - 40% of scaphoid fractures depending mainly on displacement and localization of the fracture. The gold standard in non-osteoarthritic scaphoid nonunion is debridement of the nonunion site, bone grafting, realignment, stable fixation and rehabilitation. The treatment of scaphoid-nonunion advanced collapse is more complex. Proximal row carpectomy or arthrodesis (four-corner or complete wrist) can be mandatory. Other carpal bone fractures are rare. Perilunate dislocations are also uncommon but can be disabling. They usually originate in high-energy trauma. The Mayfield stages help to understand the injury pattern. Open reduction through both volar and dorsal approaches, repair of the volar capsule as well as volar and dorsal ligaments, and internal fixation is commonly the standard treatment. However osteoarthritis and carpal instability are often encountered.     

Acute injuries of the distal radioulnar joint

Distal radioulnar joint injuries can occur in isolation or in association with distal radius fractures, Galeazzi fractures, Essex-Lopresti injuries, and both-bone forearm fractures. The authors have classified DRUJ/TFCC injuries into stable, partially unstable (subluxation), and unstable (dislocation) patterns based on the injured structures and clinical findings. Clinical findings and plain radiographs are usually sufficient to diagnose the lesion, but axial CT scans are pathognomonic. Diagnostic arthroscopy is the next test of choice to visualize stable and partially unstable lesions. Stable injuries of the DRUJ/TFCC unresponsive to conservative measures require arthroscopic debridement of the TFCC tear, along with ulnar shortening if there is ulnar-positive variance. Partially unstable injuries, on the other hand, are treated with direct arthroscopic or open repair of the TFCC tear, once again, along with ulnar shortening if ulnar-positive variance is present. Unstable injuries include simple and complex DRUJ dislocations. A simple DRUJ dislocation is easily reducible but may be stable or unstable. In complex dislocation, reduction is not possible because there is soft tissue interposition or a significant tear. After the associated injury is dealt with, treatment for complex injuries requires exploration of the DRUJ, extraction of the interposed tissue, repair of the soft tissues, and open reduction and internal fixation of the ulnar styloid fracture (if present and displaced). The early recognition and appropriate treatment of an acute DRUJ injury are critical to avoid progression to a chronic DRUJ disorder, the treatment of which is much more difficult and much less satisfying.     

Galeazzi fractures: Is DRUJ instability predicted by current guidelines?

IntroductionClinically significant distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) injuries can occur with radial shaft fractures. Several radiographic methods of diagnosis, such as radial shortening of >5 mm or fracture line within 7.5 cm from the lunate facet, have been proposed but not clinically validated. The purpose of this study was to compare radiographic measurements of radial shaft fractures associated with and without clinically significant DRUJ injury (i.e., true Galeazzi fracture-dislocation) in order to evaluate the predictive value of reported parameters of DRUJ injury.Patients and methodsA retrospective record and radiographic review was performed of 66 consecutive skeletally mature patients with isolated radial shaft fractures from 2004 to 2014 treated at one level 1 academic trauma center. Intraoperatively determined DRUJ instability after radial shaft fixation was used as the gold standard for diagnosis of a Galeazzi fracture-dislocation.ResultsAverage age was 34 years old (range: 18–90). By thirds, there were 10 proximal (15%), 27 middle (41%), and 29 distal (44%) fractures. 13 (20%) had an associated ulnar styloid fracture. 7 (11%) patients had DRUJ instability after radial fixation. Radial shortening averaged 4.4 ± 5.2 mm (−2.6–22), and 21 had shortening of >5 mm. Twenty-six (39%) fractures were within 7.5 cm of the wrist joint. Previous guidelines were only moderately accurate. Even greater shortening did not predict instability (3/7 patients with >10 mm shortening had a true injury). Four out of 7 cases with instability had ulnar styloid fractures (p = 0.02).Discussion and conclusionsUsing a larger data set than has historically been evaluated, previously reported radiographic guidelines are only moderately accurate. The presence of an ulnar styloid fracture can be helpful. Surgeons should be aware of these associations but rely primarily on intraoperative assessment of the DRUJ after radial fixation to determine treatment.     

Trans-scaphoid perilunate dislocation with fractured carpal bones in a child

Transcarpal fractures and dislocations in children are rarely reported in the orthopedics literature. This is a report of a 10-year-old boy who sustained a trans-scaphoid perilunate dislocation with fractures across the carpal structure: these included injuries to the scaphoid, capitate and triquetrum bones. Treatment consisted in a closed reduction for the dislocation and using the dorsal approach of an open reduction with internal fixation of the fractures. The injury healed well with a full return of good wrist function. This unusual pattern of injury is described so that it may be more readily appreciated in the future.     

Carpal dislocations

Carpal dislocations are rare but devastating injuries. They most often occur from high-energy trauma such a motor vehicle accidents, falls from a height, or industrial-related accidents. Encompassing a spectrum of pathology, these injuries include perilunate dislocations, transcarpal fracture-dislocations, radiocarpal dislocations, axial or longitudinal dislocations, and the rare isolated carpal bone dislocations. A thorough understanding of the carpal anatomy, injury patterns, and treatment options is critical for proper management of these serious injuries. In this article, the authors address the five main categories of carpal dislocations, the associated anatomy, and their diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.     

Retrospective analysis of treatment strategies and clinical outcome of isolated talar dislocations

Talar dislocations are rare injuries of the foot and ankle and require quick and decisive diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Evidence concerning the treatment and outcome of these injuries is sparse. The aim of this study was to analyze all talar dislocations of the last ten years treated in a large German level I trauma center in an effort to add to the experience on these injuries. Methods: All patients with a talar dislocation injury were retrospectively included. Medical reports, x-ray and computertomography scans were analyzed for the sex, age, trauma mechanism, and injury classifications as well as for the clinical outcome as measured by the Foot Function Index (FFI). Results: A total of 18 patients were included in this study: Luxatio pedis cum talo (n = 1), Luxatio tali totalis (n = 3), Luxatio pedis sub talo (n = 14). Analysis of the therapeutic algorithms revealed that only one patient was treated conservatively, the other 17 patients underwent operation. In most cases, stabilization was achieved using an external fixator and if necessary, the subtalar and talonavicular joints were temporarily stabilized using K-wires. The mean follow-up time was 4.25 years (2.05 SD) and the mean FFI-sum score 45.00 (42.26 SD). Two patients required subtalar fusion two years after the injury. Conclusion: Isolated talar dislocations can have a good outcome and be effectively treated in the emergency setting by basic techniqes if neurovasular structures are not injured. Often, these injuries are associated with fractures of adjacent bones which then need complex reconstruction.     

The chauffeur's fracture: simple or complex?

14 chauffeur's-type fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation, mainly with Herbert screws. At average follow-up of 18 months, all had good or excellent functional results. The presence of an associated carpal injury in four cases indicates that the mechanism of injury may not be one of simple "backfire" and that a radial styloid fracture may represent the first stage of a more complex pattern.     

The isolated posterior malleolar fracture and syndesmotic instability: A case report and review of the literature

IntroductionAnkle fractures are among the most common type of fractures in the lower extremity. A posterior malleolar fracture is frequently part of a more complex ankle fracture and only in rare cases it occurs as isolated injury. Posterior malleolar fractures often occur with associated injuries, such as a Maisonneuve fracture or with bi- or trimalleolar ligamentous injuries. Knowledge about these associated injuries is essential to prevent missed diagnoses. The aim of this article is to describe the isolated posterior malleolar fracture, the possible associated injuries, the diagnostic work-up and therapeutic consequences.Presentation of caseWe present a case of a 26-year-old male patient who sustained an isolated posterior malleolar fracture with 4.5 years follow-up.DiscussionIsolated fractures of the posterior malleolus are uncommon injuries. Diagnosis, treatment and outcome can seldom be extracted from large series. However, several cases have been described in literature, which we have summarized.ConclusionThis case report and literature review shows that isolated posterior malleolar fractures might occur as part of a more complex ankle injury, in combination with a fracture of the lower leg or after high energy trauma. Physicians should be aware of these associated injuries. Diagnostic work-up should include X-rays of the knee and lower leg and a CT scan of the ankle. If diagnosed and treated properly, isolated posterior malleolar fractures have a good long-term functional outcome.     

Anterior fracture dislocation of sacroiliac joint: A rare type of crescent fracture

Crescent fractures of the pelvis are usually described as posterior sacro iliac fracture dislocations. Rarely anterior displacement of the fractured iliac fragment along with dislocation has been reported in crescent fractures. Four cases of anterior fracture dislocation of the sacro iliac joint managed in the last two years by a single surgeon are presented. The injury mechanism, radiological diagnosis, management protocol along with functional outcomes of all the four patients have been discussed. CT scan is essential in the diagnosis and preoperative planning of this injury pattern. Early fixation along with proper reduction leads to excellent functional outcome in this subset of lateral compression injuries of the pelvis.