Carpal dislocations (illustrations)

Case contributed by Andrew Murphy
Diagnosis not applicable

Carpal dislocations

Diagram

Illustrations of carpal dislocations  

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Diagram

Illustrations of carpal dislocations  

Diagram

​Perilunate dislocation is a dislocation of the carpus relative to the lunate which remains in normal alignment with the distal radius. Peri- is a prefix meaning “about” or “around”, so a good way to remember it is as a dislocation around the lunate.

Case Discussion

Perilunate dislocation is a dislocation of the carpus relative to the lunate which remains in normal alignment with the distal radius. "Peri-" is a prefix meaning “about” or “around”, so a good way to remember it is as a dislocation around the lunate.

These dislocations can have a fracture component in which the prefix "trans-" along with the fractured bone is used, for example a trans-scaphoid perilunate dislocation (around 60% of perilunate dislocations have an associated scaphoid fracture) 

Lunate dislocation is a dislocation of the lunate (alone). The lunate will tip forward and have the appearance of a tipped teacup.

A midcarpal dislocation is a dislocation where neither the capitate or the lunate is aligned with the distal radius.

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