Transverse fractures through the body of the lunate with delay in consolidation. Experience with arthroscopic treatment

Abstract

Background and aim: Lunate traumatic fractures represent between 0.5% and 1% of carpal bone fractures. Transverse fracture through the body of the lunate (type V) are the least frequent and need surgical treatment if displaced, because it has a high risk of necrosis or pseudoarthrosis. The objective of this paper is to present our experience with arthroscopic treatment in patients with a delay in consolidation after a transverse fracture through the body of the lunate.

Methods: Two clinical cases of delay in consolidation in transverse fracture through the body of the lunate are presented. Both cases have delay in consolidation.

Results: Both fractures were misdiagnosed in initial simple radiographic exploration and were diagnosed with computerised tomography. Both patients were treated by debridement, bone grafting and osteosynthesis under arthroscopic control, obtaining a correct radiographic consolidation.

Conclusion: Arthroscopic treatment is a valid, effective and safe technique for the treatment of delay in consolidation of transverse fractures through the body of the lunate and avoids complications and soft tissues injury of the open surgery techniques.

Keywords: Arthroscopy; Artroscopia; Delay in consolidation; Fractura del semilunar; Lunate fracture; Retraso en la consolidación.