Carpal Fracture

The eight carpal bones (scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform, trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate) connect the hand to the forearm and facilitate movement at the wrist. Upper extremity fractures are among the most common fractures of the skeletal system.

Causes and Risk Factors

 * Trauma to the hand or wrist
 * Osteoporosis
 * Bone disease
 * Calcium deficiency

Incidence

 * Carpal fractures account for 18% of hand fractures and 6% of all fractures
 * The scaphoid alone represents 70% of carpal fractures and 10% of all hand fractures

Symptoms, Signs, and Tests

 * Pain
 * Swelling
 * Warmth
 * Discoloration
 * Limited Range of Motion
 * Deformity
 * X Ray Exam
 * CT Scan

Stable

 * Immobilization for 3-4 Months

Unstable

 * Open Reduction, Internal Fixation
 * Immobilization for 1-3 Months

Stage I

 * Immobilization as necessary

Stage II, Stage III, Stage IV

 * Various Surgical Interventions Depending on Severity of Injury

Chip Fracture

 * Immobilization for 2-3 Weeks

Body Fracture

 * Immobilization for 4-6 Weeks

​Pisiform Fracture

 * Immobilization for 6 Weeks

Trapezium Fracture

 * Immobilization for 6 Weeks

Nondisplaced

 * Closed Reduction
 * Immobilization as Necessary

Displaced

 * Open Reduction, Internal Fixation

Nondisplaced

 * Immobilization for 6 Weeks

Displaced

 * Open Reduction, Internal Fixation
 * Immobilization for 6 Weeks

Prognosis
If diagnosed promptly and treated correctly, most carpal fractures will heal in a matter of weeks. Proper alignment of the affected bone throughout the healing process is crucial to maintaining maximum wrist motion and function once healed.