Scaphoid Dislocation: A Rare Pattern of Wrist Instability - A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Traumatology
• Radiology

Background:

• Scaphoid dislocations are uncommon wrist injuries often associated with high-energy trauma.
• These injuries can be obscured by other concurrent lesions, complicating diagnosis.

Observation:

• A case of a 59-year-old male with a partial complex scaphoid dislocation is presented.
• Diagnosis was delayed by 6 days post-injury.
• Initial closed reduction was unsuccessful; open reduction and internal fixation were performed.

Findings:

• The patient achieved good functional and radiological outcomes following open reduction and internal fixation.
• Delayed diagnosis of scaphoid dislocations can significantly increase treatment difficulty and compromise results.

Implications:

• Physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for scaphoid dislocations, even with seemingly minor trauma.
• A low threshold for surgical intervention, particularly open treatment, is recommended for rotatory subluxations not evident on plain radiographs.
• Prompt diagnosis and management are essential to prevent long-term degenerative wrist complications.