Traction radiography for the diagnosis of scapholunate ligament tears: an experimental cadaver study.

The aim of this experimental cadaver study was to verify that thumb traction radiography can be used to diagnose scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) injury. Eight cadaver forearms were positioned vertically so that the thumb could be held in a Chinese finger trap and traction force applied using a 5 kg weight. Fluoroscopy was performed with the thumb unloaded and under traction, and then unloaded and under traction after division of the SLIL. The scapholunate joint gaps were measured electronically. The difference between the unloaded and loaded wrists with sectioned SLIL was not statistically significant. These results suggest that thumb traction radiography might not reliably detect acute, complete SLIL tears.