{"id":24467,"date":"2024-11-28T08:50:43","date_gmt":"2024-11-28T08:50:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/utkuerdemozer.com\/scapholunate-ligament-injury\/"},"modified":"2025-07-14T14:38:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T11:38:57","slug":"scapholunate-ligament-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.utkuerdemozer.com\/en\/scapholunate-ligament-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"Scapholunate Ligament Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A scapholunate ligament injury<\/strong> is a serious type of injury that occurs as a result of damage to the scapholunate ligament, which connects the scaphoid and lunate bones in the wrist.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This ligament is critical for stability and pain-free movement of the wrist. Injury to the scapholunate ligament can occur as a result of trauma such as a fall, sprain, or sudden impact, and can cause instability, severe pain, and limited movement in the wrist. The degree of injury can range from a simple stretching of the ligament to a complete tear.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In the diagnosis of scapholunate injury, PA wrist X-rays are used to observe the widening of the joint, while in chronic conditions such as DISI deformity, the diagnosis is confirmed when the scapholunate angle exceeds 70 degrees. Treatment options vary according to the severity of the injury; in acute injuries, the wrist can be immobilized with a cast and the ligament can heal, and if the ligament cannot heal on its own in this way, the scapholunate ligament is repaired with surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If acute injuries are not noticed and treated appropriately, calcification in the wrist joint is inevitable within 5 to 10 years. This condition is called degenerative arthritis. The treatment of patients with chronic scapholunate ligament injuries and calcification in the wrist joint is more complex and fusion procedures may be required depending on the patient’s complaints.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What is the Scapholunate Ligament?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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The scapholunate ligament is an important ligament found in the wrist. It connects the scaphoid and lunate bones, two of the eight small bones in the wrist. This ligament plays a vital role in providing stability to the wrist and allowing for pain-free movements.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Injuries to the scapholunate ligament can cause pain, instability, and limited movement in the wrist. These injuries usually occur as a result of sprains, falls, or trauma and can become chronic if left untreated, causing a DISI deformity.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If you would like to learn more about wrist injuries and treatment methods, you can visit our Wrist Fractures<\/a> page.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How Does a Scapholunate Ligament Injury Occur?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Scapholunate ligament injury occurs when there is excessive force on the wrist. The most common cause is a fall on the hand. This ligament is usually injured when the wrist is bent backwards or forced into an unusual position.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Sometimes the ligament can loosen over time, either through repeated strain or with age. Long-term inflammation can gradually weaken the ligament. Chronic gout is another factor that can damage the scapholunate ligament.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If scapholunate ligament injuries are not treated in a timely manner, they can lead to serious conditions such as Kienb\u00f6ck’s Disease<\/u><\/a> . You can check out our relevant page for detailed information about this disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What are the symptoms of a scapholunate ligament injury?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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The wrist with an acute scapholunate ligament injury becomes painful and swollen. The joint movements of the wrist are restricted, and the pain increases when movement is attempted. Pain and swelling are particularly evident on the dorsum of the wrist, and patients report that their injured wrists are weak. Athletes in particular report that they cannot do push-ups. There may also be a sound coming from the wrist, a feeling of locking and catching.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Wrist Sprain Symptoms<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Scapholunate ligament injury<\/strong> is characterized by pain and swelling, especially after a wrist sprain<\/strong> . Patients usually experience wrist pain<\/strong> and limited movement after this injury. Loss of grip strength<\/strong> and tenderness in the wrist are also common. This type of injury can make daily living activities particularly difficult and can cause permanent damage to the wrist.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The limitation of movement<\/strong> is usually felt clearly and this makes it difficult for patients to use the wrist. During the Watson test<\/strong> , tenderness and pain may be felt over the wrist. Radiographic examination<\/strong> shows an increase in the scaphoid-lunate distance<\/strong> .<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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These findings help to diagnose scaphoid-lunate dissociation<\/strong> . If not treated early, it can lead to serious problems such as SLAC wrist<\/strong> and cartilage degeneration<\/strong> in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Similarly, Scaphoid Fractures<\/u><\/a> that cause pain and loss of function in the wrist also require early diagnosis and treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How Is a Scapholunate Ligament Injury Diagnosed?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Diagnosis of scapholunate ligament injuries can be difficult. Diagnosis of scapholunate ligament injuries is made with x-rays. Although the ligaments are not directly visible on x-rays, when the scapholunate ligament is injured, the distance between the scaphoid and the lunate bone increases, increasing the scapholunate distance, which is less than 3 mm. This is also seen on x-rays. In chronic cases, the alignment of the wrist bones is also disrupted.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Diagnosis of scapholunate ligament injury may not always be easy. However, the scapholunate ligament may not always be completely torn at first, and even if it is torn, the scapholunate distance may not increase enough to be seen on the first x-rays. In such cases, especially the first x-ray images will be normal.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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However, if the patient’s pain continues and sensitivity over the scapholunate joint persists during follow-up, MRI imaging methods are used. MRI imaging allows the extent of the ligament injury to be seen.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In some cases, scapholunate may not be diagnosed with MRI. In this case, arthroscopy may be recommended to see directly inside the wrist and examine the ligaments in detail. During arthroscopy, the wrist joint is examined with a small camera and the ligaments are directly assessed.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How Is a Scapholunate Ligament Injury Treated?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Non-surgical Treatment:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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If the scapholunate ligament injury is a new injury and there is no opening between the scaphoid and lunate bones, the patient is put in a cast below the elbow and weekly wrist X-rays are taken to monitor. If there is an opening between the scaphoid and lunate bones, surgery is planned.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Scapholunate Ligament Injury Surgeries<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Surgical options and indications for scapholunate ligament injuries are determined by various factors. The main surgeries that can be performed for scapholunate ligament injuries are:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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1. Scapholunate Ligament Repair:<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
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In this method, the ligament is repaired according to its original anatomy. In addition, the scaphoid and lunate bones can be fixed with external wires for 6-8 weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In what situation is it done?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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