Traumatic Ulnar Translocation of the Carpus

Northwestern University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Traumatic Ulnar Translocation of the Carpus

Treatments: Procedure: Surgery or immobilization

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01258166

STU00023348

Details and patient eligibility

About

Ulnar translocation of the carpus is a form of wrist instability where the small bones of the wrist shift out of position. It is well recognized in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but can also occur after a traumatic event, such as a violent football tackle or a fall from a height. The treatment options vary considerably, and there is no consensus of how to best address this injury pattern.

Because traumatic ulnar translocation is relatively rare, the diagnosis may be missed or delayed, causing problems for the patient such as persistent pain and loss of function. The investigators present 11 cases of this injury, discuss how to recognize it, and report our results after different treatment methods.

Full description

Ulnar translocation of the carpus is a form of wrist instability where the entire carpus translates medially along the inclined plane of the distal radius. This pattern of instability has been well recognized in patients with rheumatoid arthritis as a result of articular erosions and attenuation of wrist ligaments. In contrast, ulnar translocation of the carpus following trauma is seemingly rare, with published accounts limited to case reports and small case series.

The radiographic features of traumatic ulnocarpal translocation have been described and the instability pattern has been reproduced in cadaveric models. However, the recognition of radiocarpal malalignment may be unintentionally missed or delayed owing due to the uncommon nature of the this injury. The investigators present 11 cases of posttraumatic ulnar translocation of the carpus and review criteria for early recognition of the injury and the results following varying treatment methods.

Enrollment: 10 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 17 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Patient who suffered traumatic ulnar translocation of the carpus Willing to sign the consent

Exclusion criteria

Patients with collagen vascular disease

Trial design

10 participants in 1 patient group

Tramuatic ulnar translocation

Description:

Patients who suffered a traumatic ulnar translocation following injury.

Treatment:

Procedure: Surgery or immobilization