Lunate fractures are carpal injuries that, if left untreated, can result in significant carpal instability.
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Epidemiology
Lunate fractures account for around 4% of all carpal fractures 1.
Pathology
Lunate fractures are often secondary to axial loading of the capitate bone. This is seen in forceful hyperextension with ulnar deviation 2.
Radiographic features
The lunate is made up of the volar pole, body, and dorsal pole. Volar pole fractures are more commonly observed as the lunate is compressed by the capitate. Given the lunate's position in the wrist, there is significant overlap from other carpal bones and hence these fractures can be subtle.
The lunate is an important stabilizer of the wrist, fractures can lead to ligamentous injury and overall volar intercalated segment instability. There may be other associated injuries that require further investigation via cross-sectional imaging 1,2.
Treatment and prognosis
Isolated fractures without displacement or subluxation can be managed conservatively, however, fractures that possess joint subluxation are unstable and require surgical intervention 2.
Around 20% of patients possess a single-vessel supply to their lunate, predisposing them to an increased possibility of osteonecrosis. The typical population has a two-vessel supply and intraosseous anastomosis 2.
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