Radiocarpal Fracture Dislocations: A New Classification and Treatment Proposal

Abstract

Introduction The radiographic and surgical findings, and treatment of radiocarpal fracture dislocations, were analyzed retrospectively in 40 patients. Materials and Methods All patients were classified according to Dumontier´s radiological classification and compared with the surgical findings. Based on this analysis, a new classification and treatment are proposed. Results From 1995 to 2018, 40 patients with radiocarpal fracture dislocation underwent surgery. Thirty-six were males and four were females. The mean age was twenty-four years (range: 18-45). Three dislocations were volar dislocations and 37 were displaced dorsally. Initially, 8 (20%) patients were classified as group I, 29 (72.5%) as group II, and 3 (7.5%) remained unclassified. The main variations occurred in group II. Seven fractures were stable after radial styloid fixation and 6 remained unstable. Sixteen fractures presented articular fragments or an interposed capsule, which prevented anatomical reduction using conservative maneuvers. Conclusion Based in our intraoperative observations and surgical results, we believe that a more detailed classification should be adopted. Level of Evidence IV; Therapeutic Studies; Case Series.