Perilunate fracture-dislocations: Definition, diagnosis and treatment

The wrist represents a complex articular syncytium designed to develop grip and traction forces while maintaining high stability. In the case of direct trauma to the carpus, a perilunate dislocation of the carpus may occur, possibly associated with fracture of the carpal bones. The diagnosis and therapeutic classification of these lesions represent an important challenge for the hand surgeon, both in acute treatment and in the management of outcomes. In the following article we describe our diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm with the possible surgical techniques that can be implemented in the different patterns found.