Arthrosis of the lunate-capitate joint

Arthrosis of the lunate-capitate (LC) joint was investigated in 44 wrists from 36 patients. The symptomatology was uncharacteristic and most patients were examined because of pain, swelling or decreased function of the wrist. The LC arthrosis seemed to be secondary to trauma in most patients; 26 wrists had an increased distance between the lunate and scaphoid, indicating a rotatory luxation of the scaphoid; 5 had fracture of the scaphoid with pseudarthrosis; one had a radius fracture healed with volar and ulnar compression and 2 had penetrating trauma to the LC joint. The arthrosis was secondary to pathologic changes in the lunate in 3 patients; lunatomalacia in 2 and a cyst fracturing into the LC joint in one. In 7 wrists arthrosis was found in several carpal joints and the LC arthrosis was one of these.