Vibration disease of the capitate

There are four previous cases of isolated avascular necrosis of the capitate in the literature. This report describes a fifth, and the first to be associated with vibration. A paint sprayer presented with wrist pain, tenderness over the capitate and radiological changes of avascular necrosis of the capitate. Following mid-carpal arthrodesis, he returned to work. The role of trauma and a pre-existing ligamentous abnormality of the wrist in the aetiology of this condition is discussed.