title: Hamato-lunate impingement: an uncommon cause of ulnar-sided wrist pain.
abstract: It has been reported that almost 50% of lunates have a separate medial facet on the distal surface for articulation with the hamate; about a quarter of these have erosion of the cartilage with exposed subchondral bone on the proximal pole of the hamate. We describe 4 cases of ulnar-sided wrist pain caused by hamato-lunate impingement that resulted in chondromalacia. The pain could be reproduced by a modification of the Lichtman test. The diagnosis was confirmed by arthroscopy. All 4 patients responded favorably to resection of the head of the hamate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Wellington School of Medicine, Wellington, New Zealand. surgat@wnmeds.ac.nz
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Thurston
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Stanley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D014457:Ulna; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014955:Wrist Joint