AIM: Intracarpal ligamentous tears and fractures of the distal radius may have a similar injury mechanism. We performed arthroscopy of the wrist in 54 patients with distal radius fracture to find out the frequency of associated ligamentous tears. RESULTS: 41% of the patients with an extraarticular fracture of the distal radius had at least one severe ligamentous tear of a carpal ligament. In the group of patients with intraarticular fracture we detected ligamentous tears even in 89%. Most frequent were tears of the lunotriquetral ligament. DISCUSSION: Associated ligamentous tears are more common than expected. These tears may be of importance in the outcome of treatment of distal radius fractures.
AIM: Intracarpal ligamentous tears and fractures of the distal radius may have a similar injury mechanism. We performed arthroscopy of the wrist in 54 patients with distal radius fracture to find out the frequency of associated ligamentous tears. RESULTS: 41% of the patients with an extraarticular fracture of the distal radius had at least one severe ligamentous tear of a carpal ligament. In the group of patients with intraarticular fracture we detected ligamentous tears even in 89%. Most frequent were tears of the lunotriquetral ligament. DISCUSSION: Associated ligamentous tears are more common than expected. These tears may be of importance in the outcome of treatment of distal radius fractures.