Scapholunate dissociation—Treatment by ligamentous repair and capsulodesis

Abstract

Direct scapholunate ligamentous repair, supported by a dorsal radioscaphoid capsulodesis, should be considered for the treatment of most scapholunate dissociations when there is no osteoarthritis, regardless of the time that has elapsed since injury. Thirty-one patients were treated with this technique between 1972 and 1989. The records of 27 were available for this study. Average time from injury to surgical treatment was 16 months. One patient had to change occupations because of wrist symptoms. One failure to preserve a satisfactory scapholunate reduction is awaiting a reoperation.