Comminuted lunate fracture combined with distal radius fracture and scaphoid fracture: A case report

Abstract

Rationale: Incidence of lunate fractures is very low, less than 1% of all fractures. Lunate fractures generally come from high-energy injuries, often combined with other wrist fractures. Simple lunate fractures can be fixed with screws or Kirschner wires. However, Comminuted lunate fractures are difficult to reduce and fixe by conventional methods. Patient concerns: Here we report a 42-year-old male construction worker who was crushed by an excavator bucket and presented with comminuted lunate fracture combined with distal radius fracture and scaphoid fracture. Diagnoses: Comminuted lunate fracture, distal radius fracture, and scaphoid fracture. Interventions: The posterior approach was used to reconstruct the radial lunate bone with polymethylmethacrylate cement, and cannulated screws were used to fix the scaphoid and distal radius fractures. Outcomes: At the 3rd month after surgery, the movement of the right wrist joint improved. At the sixth month after surgery, the patient returned to the building site and began working at the same intensity as before the injury. Lessons: Although the incidence of comminuted lunate fractures is very low, they occur sometimes. For comminuted lunate fractures, early identification and intervention can preserve most of the function of the wrist joint.