Die-punch fracture

Last revised by Frank Gaillard on 12 Feb 2025

Die-punch fractures result from an axial loading force on the distal radius. It is an intra-articular fracture of the lunate fossa of the distal radius 1. It is by definition depressed or impacted and is named after the machining technique of shearing a shape, depression or hole in a material with a die implement or cutter used in the tool-and-die trade. The die-punch mechanism classically involves the lunate fossa of the radius but can occur from any loading injury 2.

Cases and figures

  • Case 1: plain radiograph
  • Case 1: CT
  • Case 2: CT VRT
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