title: Gradual distraction using an external fixator followed by open reduction in the treatment of chronic lunate dislocation.
abstract: Chronic lunate dislocation is a difficult problem to deal with. We describe a surgical technique whereby gradual wrist distraction is applied using an external fixator followed by open repositioning of the lunate. We have successfully used this technique in a rugby player with an undiagnosed chronic lunate dislocation. Our case was able to return to competitive rugby playing.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Department, Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Whinney Heys Road, Blackpool, FY3 8NR, UK. bcharalambos@hotmail.com
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Charalambous
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hayton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016267:External Fixators; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000601:surgery; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D012667:Lunate Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000601:surgery*