ABSTRACT
Dislocations and fracture dislocations of the carpus are uncommon injuries.
Fracture dislocations of the radiocarpal joint are considered as a type of distal
radius fracture (1). The most common carpal dislocation is the dorsal perilunate
dislocation (2-6), named because the carpus dislocates dorsally around the
lunate, with the lunate remaining in its normal relationship with the distal
radius in most cases, and occasionally dislocating volarward. Perilunate injuries
follow a predictable circular progression of injury from the radial to the ulnar side
of the wrist with variations in the injury pattern arising from the fact that at each
point failure can occur through either ligament or bone (2,7). Other types of
carpal dislocations, including midcarpal, axial, and isolated carpal dislocations
and fracture dislocations, are rare (2).
