[Lesions of the ligaments associated with distal fractures of the radius. 58 intraoperative arthrographies].

Intracarpal ligamentous tears and fractures of the radius often have a similar mechanism. For instance, no prospective studies have defined the real incidence of such associations, which are not antagonistic. The authors performed a systematic operative wrist arthrogram during distal radius fractures in a group of 58 patients with a mean age less than 50 years. Such a population was at low risk of degenerative ligamentous tears. Triangular fibrocartilage complex was torn in two-thirds of all types fractures. Extra-articular radius fractures were associated with an intracarpal ligamentous tear in 25% and always a luno-triquetral lesion type. In contrast, intra-articular and radius styloid fractures were frequently associated with a scapho-lunate lesion.