Carpal fractures: Difference between revisions

No edit summary
 
(58 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
==Background==
==Background==
[[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
*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}}


* Scaphoid fractures account for 70% of all carpal fractures
==Evaluation==
* Ulnar nerve damage associated with fractures of hamate or pisiform
[[Image:Wrist_-_Lateral.jpg|thumb|Lateral view]]
* 50% of pisiform fx associated with injury to distal radius or other carpal bone
*Evaluate Zone of Vulnerability (see picture)
* If bone fragment seen posterior to carpus on lateral, very likely triquetrum fx


==Diagnosis==
==Management==
{{General Fracture Management}}


'''* Mechamism of injury
===Specific Management===
'''** Hyperextension (FOOSH)
*Based on fracture location (see individual fracture page for details)
*** 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 styloidPain 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==


* Checklist
==See Also==
#Palmar tilt of the radius is present on the lateral view
*[[Fractures (main)]]
#Radial articular surface lies distal to the ulna
*[[Carpal dislocations]]
#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
** Evaluate zone of vulnerability
* Lateral
** Evaluate scapholunate angle (should be between 40o and 60o)
* 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==
==References==
<references/>


* Scaphoid Fx
[[Category:Orthopedics]]
** Thumb-spica spint (or preferably a cast) until repeat xrays performed at 10 days
* Lunate Fx
** 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==
 
* Scaphoid Fx
** 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 >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 >2mm, intraarticular fx w/ >1mm incongruity, comminuted fx
 
* Lunate/perilunate dislocation
** Consult hand surgeon for immediate reduction(very difficult to reduce)
==Source==
 
 
UpToDate, Accident & Emergency Radiology, Harwood-Nuss
 
[[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