Scapholunate Fixation
If you need a scapholunate fixation, please Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists as soon as possible.
What Is Scapholunate Fixation?
The scapholunate joint is crucial for wrist stability and movement. It connects the scaphoid and lunate bones. Injury to the scapholunate ligament, especially scapholunate dissociation (SLD), causes pain, limited motion, and dysfunction. If conservative treatments fail or the injury is severe, scapholunate fixation surgery may stabilize the wrist and improve function.
Causes of Scapholunate Ligament Injury
Scapholunate injuries mostly result from trauma or repetitive stress. Common causes include:
- Falls and Sports Injuries: Falling onto an outstretched hand (FOOSH) or a direct wrist blow can damage the ligament.
- Degenerative Conditions: Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can weaken the scapholunate ligament, reducing joint stability.
- Repetitive Motion: Activities that involve manual labor or high-impact sports can stress the scapholunate joint and damage the ligament.
Symptoms of Scapholunate Injury
Scapholunate injury symptoms include:
- Wrist Pain: Persistent pain, especially on the thumb side, worsens with gripping, twisting, or heavy use.
- Swelling: Swelling around the wrist joint, especially after the injury.
- Instability and Weakness: A feeling of instability or weakness, making daily tasks harder.
- Deformity: Severe cases may show abnormal positioning or a visible gap between the scaphoid and lunate bones.
Diagnosis
A detailed medical history and physical exam help diagnose scapholunate injury. The doctor checks for tenderness and instability. Imaging studies, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, assess the injury’s severity. Dynamic imaging helps visualize scapholunate dissociation and ligament damage.
Scapholunate Fixation Surgery
Scapholunate fixation stabilizes the scapholunate joint and restores wrist function. Surgeons recommend the procedure when conservative methods, like bracing or physical therapy, fail, or when significant instability or ligament damage occurs.
The surgery generally includes these steps:
- Incision: A small incision on the back of the wrist accesses the scapholunate joint.
- Ligament Repair or Reconstruction: The surgeon repairs or reconstructs the torn ligament using tendon grafts or synthetic material.
- Fixation: Surgeons stabilize the scaphoid and lunate bones with screws, pins, or plates during healing.
- Closure: The incision is closed, and the wrist is placed in a splint or cast to promote healing.
Rehabilitation and Recovery
After surgery, the wrist remains immobilized for several weeks to allow healing. Pain and swelling can be managed with ice and medication.
Once healing progresses, physical therapy helps restore range of motion, strengthen wrist muscles, and improve grip. Patients gradually return to normal activities, though full recovery can take several months.
Scapholunate fixation surgery significantly reduces pain, improves wrist stability, and restores function. The outcome depends on the injury’s severity, surgical success, and adherence to rehabilitation. Surgery often prevents long-term complications like arthritis or chronic instability, common in untreated scapholunate injuries.
Scapholunate fixation offers effective treatment for scapholunate ligament injuries or dissociation. This surgery stabilizes the wrist, reduces pain, and restores function, whether caused by trauma, degeneration, or overuse.
If you would like to speak to an Orthopedic Specialist, give us a call at 817-697-4038, or contact us over the web. Tele-medicine appointments are also available.
