[Arthroscopic diagnosis of concomitant scapholunate ligament injuries in fractures of the distal radius]

Abstract

To investigate the occurrence of carpal ligamentous injuries in patients with fractures of the distal radius, the results of 122 wrist arthroscopies were analysed within a retrospective study. Indications for arthroscopy included suspected carpal instability according to radiographic findings and/or the necessity for internal fixation of the radius fracture. Arthroscopy revealed acute scapholunate ligament tears in 84 patients. Scapholunate separation was found to be of prognostic value for ligament tears. There was no association between ligamentous lesions and carpal angles or fracture dislocation. Scapholunate ligament tears were most frequent in sagittal articular fractures. In these cases, wrist arthroscopy should be performed during operative treatment of the radius fracture to allow direct visualization and subsequent repair of ligamentous tears.