Fracturas-luxaciones del carpo: resultados radiológicos y funcionales después del tratamiento quirúrgico

background: dislocations and fracture dislocations of the carpal bones are potencially devastating lesions and they are often misdiagnosed or diagnosed late. the purpose of this study is to evaluate radiological and functional outcome after their surgical treatment. methods: twenty-seven patients with different types of dislocations or fracture dislocations of the carpus were retrospectively evaluated between 2004 and 2010. patients age averaged 28 years. eleven were acute injuries, eleven subacute and five chronic injuries. the injury patterns were five perilunar dislocations, one mid carpal dislocation and twenty one perilunar fractures-dislocations. results: follow up averaged 14 months. carpal angle averaged 130o, scapholunate angle averaged 46o, lunateos magnum angle averaged 23o, carpal hight averaged 1,56, scapholunate interval averaged 1,5 mm. functional outcomes averaged 60o for flexion, 43o for extension, 16o for ulnar deviation, 17o for radial deviation, 77o for pronation, 72o for supination. strength tests averaged: dynamometer 27 kg, clamp key digitometer test 9 kg, tridigital clamp test 7 kg. dash score averaged 33 points. analogical scale of pain averaged 6,5 points. conclusion: many aspects of this injury are yet to be studied or are still unknown. it is important to recognize and solve as quick as possible this kind of injuries by a surgical procedure that allows optimal bone reduction and ligament repair using a double surgical approach when needed.