title: Idiopathic avascular necrosis of the capitate.
abstract: Idiopathic avascular necrosis (AVN) of the capitate is rare. A 44-year-old woman presented with chronic pain in her dominant wrist without a history of trauma. Clinical and standard radiological examination were initially inconclusive, while MRI was diagnostic. Mid-carpal arthrodesis gave a satisfactory short term result, and the long term result is awaited. Idiopathic AVN of the capitate should be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic wrist pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, St Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Gurranabraher, Cork, Republic of Ireland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kutty
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Curtin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001174:Arthrodesis; D001706:Biopsy; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery