What causes Scapholunate dissociation?
Scapholunate (SL) dissociation happens when small bones in your wrist (scaphoid and lunate) misalign. SL dissociation occurs when you injure the ligament connecting these bones. Falling on an outstretched hand usually causes this condition.
What are the symptoms of SLAC wrist?
Symptoms of Scapholunate Advanced Collapse (SLAC) Wrist
- Difficulty with weight-bearing across the wrist.
- Significant pain in the area of the scapholunate interval.
- Progressive weakness of the involved hand.
- Wrist stiffness.
- Weak grip strength.
- Tenderness to palpation.
- Reduced range of motion of the wrist.
How is Scapholunate dissociation treated?
Scapholunate dissociation does not heal by itself. In the majority of cases, surgery is required to repair the ligament which holds to the two wrist bones together. Following surgery, a cast is normally worn for a number of weeks to allow the repaired tissues to heal.
What is chronic Scapholunate dissociation?
Scapholunate dissociation (SLD) is the commonest cause of carpal instability and wrist osteoarthrosis. The value of early diagnosis and treatment of this injury is well established in the literature.
Is scapholunate dissociation a disability?
As noted above, the veteran’s scapholunate dissociation disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling and is manifested by pain, limitation of motion, and arthritis.
What does a scapholunate tear feel like?
The symptoms of scapholunate ligament injury are: Pain and swelling at the wrist joint. Pain aggravated by weight bearing, for example during a press up. Wrist instability and weakness.
What is Stage 3 SLAC wrist?
Stage III SLAC wrist entails sclerosis and joint space narrowing between the lunate and capitate. Eventually, the capitate will migrate proximally into the space created by the scapholunate dissociation.
How do you fix scapholunate instability?
Partial injuries where there is no instability of the scapholunate joint are most commonly treated with splinting or casting, anti-inflammatories and hand therapy. Surgical treatments including arthroscopic debridement and thermal shrinkage of the ligament have been used.
How serious is a scapholunate ligament tear?
A scapholunate torn ligament does not heal on its own. If left untreated, a torn ligament typically leads to arthritis over time. This is because the bones of the wrist are no longer held in normal alignment. The goals of treatment are to decrease pain and prevent arthritis.
What are the implications for wrist function with untreated scapholunate dissociation?
The two primary complications due to scapholunate dissociation are Scapholunate Advanced Collapse (SLAC) and general arthritis of the wrist.
How do I know if I tore my scapholunate ligament?
Signs and Symptoms
- Pain when bending the wrist backward.
- Limited range of motion.
- Bruising.
- Pain and swelling that has developed over several days, usually on the back side of the wrist.
- Popping or grinding.
- Weakness in the wrist.
What happens if a torn ligament in wrist goes untreated?
Proper treatment of a wrist ligament tear is necessary because if left untreated the condition may result in long-term problems such as chronic wrist pain, stiffness, and development of arthritis in the wrist.
How painful is a SLAC wrist?
Patients will likely present with some degree of pain although not all SLAC wrists are symptomatic. Pain is common and may be aggravated by heavy use and is sometimes associated with a clunking sensation during movement. [13] There will usually be a decreased wrist ROM and weakness of the grip strength.
How do I strengthen my scapholunate ligament?
With forearm supported on table and wrist over With hand flat on table, slide hand side. the edge, lift hand up with fingers resting in a Repeat 8 – 10 times, 3 – 4 times per day. fist, and then relax hand down with fingers open. Repeat 8 – 10 times, 3 – 4 times per day.