Non-union of isolated displaced triquetral body fracture--a case report

Triquetral fractures are the second most common carpal fractures. Triquetral body fractures are the less common type of triquetral fractures but they can be missed on plain radiographs and a non-union can be associated with considerable morbidity and reduction in functional activities. We report a unique case of displaced isolated triquetral body fracture that was initially missed on plain radiographs and resulted in non-union. The fracture non-union was diagnosed on magnetic resonance imaging and was treated successfully with open reduction and internal fixation using compression screws, without bone grafting, and early mobilisation of the wrist allowing a return to premorbid activity levels. To our knowledge, this has not been previously described in the literature. We advocate early clinical suspicion of triquetral fractures in patients with persistent ulnar-sided wrist pain following trauma, and early evaluation using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.