Case Study: Trans-styloid, Trans-scaphoid, Trans-triquetral, and Perilunate Dislocation

Perilunate dislocations are rare high-energy injuries, and the diagnosis is not infrequently missed at initial presentation. The combination of fractures resulting in a trans-styloid, trans-scaphoid, and trans-triquetral perilunate fracture dislocation is extremely rare. Early recognition and diagnosis of these injuries is prudent to restore patient function and prevent morbidity. This injury pattern may progress through several distinct phases often involving the greater or lesser arc. The injury begins with traumatic disruption of the scapholunate joint, followed by an ordered progression of injury to the capitolunate, lunotriquetral, and radiolunate joints. When the radiolunate joint is disrupted, the lunate often dislocates volar transposing into the carpal tunnel, associated with median nerve compression. These injuries have the potential to cause lifelong disability of the wrist. Early treatment may prevent or lessen the chance of median neuropathy, post-traumatic wrist arthrosis, chronic instability, and fracture nonunion. Non-operative treatment is not indicated and is associated with poor functional outcomes and recurrent dislocation. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with ligamentous repair after emergent closed reduction and splinting is indicated for acute injuries (<8 weeks after injury).

We report a case of a 48-year-old right hand dominant male with a trans-styloid, trans-scaphoid, trans-triquetral, and perilunate dislocation after mechanical fall from height. He was evaluated in the ER and provisionally treated with closed reduction and splinting. ORIF of scaphoid, radial styloid, and triquetrum was performed, with ligamentous repair of the scapholunate joint and carpal tunnel decompression.

The combination of fractures/injuries in this case has been very rarely been published in case reports to date. It is necessary to recognize these wrist injuries. Great detail should be given to physical and radiographic evaluation, as adequate reduction can help prevent median nerve damage and minimize post-injury complications such as cartilage damage, avascular necrosis, chronic pain, and deformity. As most cases present in the acute setting, ORIF and ligamentous repair are most likely to maximize return of function. While operative intervention can help to minimize sequelae, functional outcomes are generally poor following these injuries.