Incomplete tear of the scapholunate ligament sparing the dorsal component
Presentation
Left wrist pain for 5 months after trauma.
Patient Data
1. Incomplete tear of the scapholunate ligament (SLL) sparing the dorsal component. Disruptions of the volar and proximal components of the scapholunate ligament, without scapholunate diastasis.
2. Normal carpal alignment. No scapholunate diastasis or dorsal intercalated segment instability (DISI).
Case Discussion
The scapholunate ligament (SLL) is an intrinsic intercarpal ligament that is U-shaped in the sagittal plane. There are three distinct components, dorsal, volar and proximal. Studies have shown that for diastasis to occur, extrinsic ligament injury must be present in addition to a functionally complete SLL tear. That is, significant SLL tears can be present without extrinsic ligament injury or diastasis, as demonstrated in this casse.
Case provided by Dr. Thales A. Caricati.
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