The late reduction of carpal dislocations.

Five cases are reported in which open reduction of a lunate or peri-lunar dislocation was carried out after a delay of two weeks to six months. Results were poor in terms of range of movement and X-ray appearance, but function was surprisingly good, all patients returning to normal activities including heavy manual work. One patient later underwent excision of the radial styloid with an avascular scaphoid fragment; this apart, there were no requests for further surgical treatment. Open reduction remains a reasonable choice in the treatment of late presentation of lunate and perilunar dislocation.