[Reposition of old dislocations or dislocation fractures of the carpal bones using Wagner's distraction apparatus]

In treatment of old traumatic dislocations and fracture dislocations of the carpal bone complex, a careful and exactly dosed pre-extension of the shrunken capsular ligaments can be obtained by the use of Wagner's distraction apparatus. The pre-extension procedure is followed by open or closed reposition. The surgeon's movements are not hindered. Sterile draping of the operating field can easily be performed in contrast to other methods of reposition like hanging up the forearm with a counter-weight or olecranon-metacarpal extension with counter-traction. Up to 10 months after volar dislocation of the lunate bone the destructed carpal vault could be reconstructed.