Wrist arthroscopy and dislocation of the radiocarpal joint without fracture

The authors report a rare case of dorsal dislocation of the radiocarpal joint without any bony lesion associated. The traumatic cause was a high energy motorbike accident. Fractures of the other limbs were associated. The authors report the clinical, radiological, and arthroscopic features. Wrist arthroscopy showed a complete tear of all the extrinsic ligaments, a radial avulsion of the triangular fibrocartilage complex, and the integrity of the intracarpal ligaments, which guided the treatment. The dislocation was treated by closed reduction and radiocarpal pinning. The authors propose wrist arthroscopy in radiocarpal dislocation for diagnosis of soft tissue and cartilaginous lesions to guide the treatment (close or open).