Lunate dislocation

Lunate dislocation
Other names: Isolated lunate dislocation[1]
A lateral X-ray of the wrist showing a lunate dislocation
Specialty	Orthopedics
Symptoms	Wrist pain and swelling[2]
Complications	Median nerve injury[1]
Causes	Significant trauma, with bending back of the wrist[3]
Diagnostic method	X-rays[1]
Differential diagnosis	Perilunate dislocation[3]
Treatment	Joint reduction followed by splinting, surgery[1]
Frequency	Uncommon[2]

A lunate disclocation is a type of wrist dislocation where the lunate is rotated and out of place.^[3] Symptoms include wrist pain and swelling.^[2] It is variable whether or not the wrist appears abnormal.^[2] Complications may include injury to the median nerve.^[1]

The underlying cause generally involves significant trauma, with bending back of the wrist.^[3] Diagnosis is generally by X-rays; though, up to 25% of the time they are missed.^[1]

Management generally requires surgery.^[4] Though, joint reduction followed by splinting may be carried out before surgery occurs.^[2] Surgery may occur 3 to 5 days later as long as the radial nerve is normal and the join reduced.^[1] In those who are treated rapidly, outcomes are generally reasonable, though osteoarthritis is common.^[2]

A lunate dislocation is uncommon.^[2] When it occurs, typically younger people are affected.^[1] Early descriptions dates from the 1940s by Russell.^[5][6]

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

An AP Xray showing a lunate dislocation

References[edit | edit source]