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Scapholunate Dissociation, Sports Medicine

Benjamin D. Brusch, MD and Robert L. Jones, MD, CAQSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Scapholunate (SL) dissociation may be more accurately characterized as a spectrum of SL instability resulting from a tear of the SL interosseous ligament (SLIL). Concomitant or subse...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Early diagnosis and surgery offers the best chance for successful outcome 1,3.

  • There are different levels of injury, which can be classified by increasing severity of wrist instability 1,2,3,...

TREATMENT

  • Treatment must be predicated by the patient’s symptoms and clinical exam, not imaging.

  • Management of injuries may depend on age, sport, position, level of competition, and schedule 3[C].

    ALERT

    ...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Following repair, immobilize the wrist for 8 wk and then slowly rehab.

  • Decisions about return to play must be individualized based on sport-specific demands and co...

REFERENCES

1
Manuel J, Moran SL. The diagnosis and treatment of scapholunate instability. Orthop Clin North Am.  2007;38(2):261–277.
2
Kitay A, Wolfe SW. Scapholunate instability: current concepts i...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Most common ligamentous injury of the wrist

  • Normal static and stress films in the acute setting do not always rule out serious injury.

  • Radiographs of the contralateral side should always...

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