Perilunate dislocations and transscaphoid perilunate fracture-dislocations: a retrospective study with minimum ten-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: Perilunate dislocations and transscaphoid perilunate fracture dislocations are associated with a high incidence of posttraumatic arthritis. According to the current literature, at medium-term follow-up, radiological signs of arthritis do not correlate with functional scores. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient hand function and the development of posttraumatic arthritis after perilunate dislocations (11 cases) and transscaphoid perilunate fracture dislocations (7 cases) at a minimum 10 years of follow-up.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed including 18 patients with a minimum 10-year (average, 13 y) follow-up. The clinical results were evaluated using the Mayo wrist score and the patient-rated wrist evaluation. Radiological abnormalities were stratified using the Herzberg classification.

RESULTS

According to the Mayo wrist score, the authors found 5 excellent, 3 good, 7 fair, and 3 poor results. The mean Mayo wrist score was 76 (range, 60-90). There were 6 type A, 5 type A1, 6 type B1, and 1 type C, according to the Herzberg classification. Posttraumatic degenerative changes were observed in 12 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of radiological arthritis and static carpal instability did not cause reduced function at our minimum follow-up of 10 years. Based on our findings and previously reported series, we conclude that signs of posttraumatic arthritis after perilunate dislocations and transscaphoid perilunate fracture dislocations increase progressively but are well tolerated at an average follow-up of 13 years.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.