Carpal fractures: Difference between revisions

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== Background ==
==Background==
*Scaphoid fractures account for 70% of all carpal fractures  
[[File:Carpal bones.png|thumb|Carpal bones]]
[[File:Zone_of_Vulnerability.jpg|thumb|Zone of Vulnerability]]
*[[Scaphoid fracture|Scaphoid fractures]] account for 70% of all carpal fractures  
*Ulnar nerve damage associated with fractures of hamate or pisiform  
*Ulnar nerve damage associated with fractures of hamate or pisiform  
*50% of pisiform fx associated with injury to distal radius or other carpal bone  
*50% of pisiform fracture associated with injury to distal radius or other carpal bone  
*If bone fragment seen posterior to carpus on lateral, very likely triquetrum fx
*If bone fragment seen posterior to carpus on lateral, very likely triquetrum fracture


== Diagnosis  ==
==Fracture Types==
===Mechamism of injury===
{{Carpal fractures}}
**Hyperextension (FOOSH)
***Scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, or pisiform fractures
***Consider oblique views
**Hyperflexion
***Triquetrum fracture
**Axial loading
***of the wrist: scaphoid fx, scapholunate dissociation
***thumb: trapezium fx
***index: trapezoid fx
**Direct blow to palmar surface
***Pisiform or hamate fractures  
===Specific Bone Fx===
**Scaphoid
***Pain in the snuffbox (especially with ulnar deviation)
***Grip strength reduced
***Often associated with perilunate dislocation
**Lunate
***Pain aggravated by wrist motion or gripping
***Pain with axial loading of the 3rd digit
***Often associated with other injuries
**Triquetrum
***TTP just distal to the ulnar styloid
***Pain on the ulnar aspect of the wrist
**Pisiform
***Pain/swelling at the palmar and ulnar aspects of the wrist
***TTP over the hypothenar eminence
**Hamate
***Sudden wrist pain when a swinging motion has been interrupted
***TTP over hypothenar eminence
***4th, 5th digit paresthesia if fx involves ulnar nerve
**Capitate
***Pain/swelling on dorsum of hand
***Rarely fractured in isolation
**Trapezoid
***Point tenderness just proximal to 2nd metacarpal base
**Trapezium
***Pain/weakness with making "OK" sign or touching thumb to tip of 5th digit
***Significant discomfort
***Minimal swelling


== Imaging  ==
==Evaluation==
*See [[Wrist Bones]]  
[[Image:Wrist_-_Lateral.jpg|thumb|Lateral view]]
*Checklist
*Evaluate Zone of Vulnerability (see picture)
#Palmar tilt of the radius is present on the lateral view
#Radial articular surface lies distal to the ulna
#Dorsal surface of the distal radius is smooth
#Waist of the scaphoid is intact
#Capitate sits in the concavity of the lunate
#Intercarpal joints are no more than 2mm wide; adjacent surfaces are parallel


*PA
==Management==
**Evaluate [[Media:Zone_of_Vulnerability.jpg]]
{{General Fracture Management}}
*Lateral
**Evaluate scapholunate angle (should be between 40-60deg)
*Oblique
*Also consider:
**PA with maximal ulnar deviation ("Scaphoid View")
***Scaphoid fx
**Carpal tunnel view
***Hamate hook fx
***Trapezium fx
***Pisiform Fx
**PA clenched fist view
***Consider for scapholunate instability (space >2mm suggests ligamentous disruption)
**CT
***Trapezoid fx


== Treatment  ==
===Specific Management===
*Based on fracture location (see individual fracture page for details)


*Scaphoid Fx
==See Also==
**Thumb-spica spint (or preferably a cast) until repeat xrays performed at 10 days
*[[Fractures (main)]]
*Lunate Fx
*[[Carpal dislocations]]
**Double sugar tong or long-arm thumb spica splint
**May lead to osteonecrosis if not recognized and treated
*Triquetrum Fx
**Volar splint w/ wrist in slight dorsiflexion and the MCP free
*Pisiform Fx
**Volar or dorsal splint
*Hamate Fx
**Volar splint
*Capitate Fx
**Sugar-tong or short arm thumb spica splint
*Trapezoid Fx
**Volar splint
*Trapezium Fx
**Short arm thumb-spica
*Dislocations
**Scapholunate
***Volar splint, referral within 1 week
**Lunate/perilunate
***Volar spint, immediate reduction


== Disposition  ==
==References==
*Scaphoid Fx
<references/>
**Always refer to a hand surgeon b/c may lead to osteonecrosis if not recognized/treated
*Lunate Fx
**Always refer to a hand surgeon b/c may lead to osteonecrosis if not recognized/treated
*Triquetrum Fx
**Refer for displacment &gt;1mm
*Pisiform Fx
**Tend to do well with casting; refer for casting if unable to obtain in the ED
*Hamate Fx
**Refer for dislocation, pts who need to return to actvitiy ASAP
*Capitate Fx
**Always refer to a hand surgeon b/c may lead to osteonecrosis if not recognized/treated
*Trapezoid Fx
**Refer for comminution or dislocation
*Trapezium Fx
**Refer for displacement &gt;2mm, intraarticular fx w/ &gt;1mm incongruity, comminuted fx


 
[[Category:Orthopedics]]
*Lunate/perilunate dislocation
**Consult hand surgeon for immediate reduction(very difficult to reduce)
 
== Source  ==
*UpToDate
*Accident &amp; Emergency Radiology
 
== See Also ==
*[[Wrist Bones]]
 
[[Category:Ortho]]

Latest revision as of 22:12, 27 March 2024

Background

Carpal bones
Zone of Vulnerability
  • Scaphoid fractures account for 70% of all carpal fractures
  • Ulnar nerve damage associated with fractures of hamate or pisiform
  • 50% of pisiform fracture associated with injury to distal radius or other carpal bone
  • If bone fragment seen posterior to carpus on lateral, very likely triquetrum fracture

Fracture Types

Carpal fractures

AP view

Evaluation

Lateral view
  • Evaluate Zone of Vulnerability (see picture)

Management

General Fracture Management

Specific Management

  • Based on fracture location (see individual fracture page for details)

See Also

References