Treatment of isolated perilunate and lunate dislocations with combined dorsal and volar approach and intraosseous cerclage wire.

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical outcome of patients with perilunate and lunate dislocations treated with a combined dorsal and volar approach and intraosseous cerclage wire.

METHODS: A combined dorsal and volar approach with an intraosseous wiring technique was used to treat 22 isolated perilunate and lunate dislocations. The mean interval between injury and surgery was 3 days. Outcome was assessed after an average of 49 months. Patients were assessed subjectively with a Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire and were asked to rate their overall satisfaction, pain relief, problems with activities of daily living, and return to work and previous activity status. Results were assessed objectively by range of motion and grip-strength measurements and initial postsurgical radiographs were compared with final radiographs with regard to scapholunate angle and gap.

RESULTS: Patient satisfaction was high in 15 of 22 patients. Seven patients stated they had problems with activities of daily living after their injury. Only 10 patients returned to the same job they had before their injury; however, all 22 patients were able to return to some type of work. Sixteen of the patients stated they were able to return to their previous level of activity. The wrist flexion-extension arc and grip strength averaged 80% and 77%, respectively, compared with the opposite side. Follow-up radiographs showed no significant change in scapholunate angle or gap with time. As expected the scapholunate cerclage wire broke frequently. The cerclage wire was removed in 16 patients, 12 because of broken hardware and 4 because of pain.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that a combined dorsal and volar approach with an intraosseous wiring technique can restore effectively normal intercarpal relationships, providing acceptable pain relief, functional motion, and grip strength.