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Case Reports
. 2014 Nov;3(4):265-8.
doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1394134.

Ligamentous radiocarpal fracture-dislocation treated with wrist-spanning plate and volar ligament repair

Michael Q Potter  1 , Justin M Haller  1 , Andrew R Tyser  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Ligamentous radiocarpal fracture-dislocation treated with wrist-spanning plate and volar ligament repair

Michael Q Potter et al. J Wrist Surg. 2014 Nov.

Abstract

Background Radiocarpal fracture-dislocations are challenging injuries that are often associated with postoperative pain, stiffness, instability, or early arthrosis. Case Description We report a 1-year follow-up of a ligamentous radiocarpal dislocation (Dumontier group I) treated with a dorsal wrist-spanning plate and volar capsular repair with good results. Literature Review Historically, Dumontier group I injuries treated with a variety of techniques (closed reduction and casting, percutaneous pinning, and open fixation) have been associated with stiffness and loss of reduction. Clinical Relevance Distraction plating is a safe and effective technique for treating select distal radius fractures, and we suggest it has the potential to produce good outcomes when used to treat radiocarpal fracture-dislocations.

Keywords: distraction plating; internal fixation; radiocarpal dislocation; surgical technique; wrist dislocation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest None

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
(a) Posteroanterior (PA) and lateral radiographs of the left wrist at the time of injury show dorsal dislocation of the carpus with associated radial styloid avulsion fracture. (b) Postreduction PA and lateral radiographs of the left wrist show a concentric reduction of the radiocarpal joint without any obvious associated intercarpal ligamentous injury, but there was ulnar translocation of the carpus.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
(a) Clinical photograph of the volar wrist showing avulsion of the radial origin of the radiocarpal ligaments (held in forceps). (b) Postoperative PA, oblique, and lateral radiographs of the left wrist show maintained reduction of the radiocarpal joint after placement of a dorsal wrist-spanning plate and repair of the volar radiocarpal ligaments using suture anchors.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
(a) Clinical photographs show flexion, extension, pronation, and supination of the injured wrist (left) compared with the contralateral uninjured wrist (right) at 1 year postinjury. (b) PA, oblique, and lateral radiographs of the left wrist at 1 year postinjury show a healed radial styloid fracture and maintained reduction of the radiocarpal joint without dorsal or ulnar translation of the carpus.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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