Trapezoid bone fracture

Fractures of the carpal hones involve only a single bane or complex bones w ith or without ligament rupture. However, fractures of the trapezoid are ra rely seen. Because the trapezoid is fastened to the trapezium, capitate, an d scaphoid by strong ligaments, fracture or dislocation is limited by this rigid fixation. The authors present a single bone fracture of the trapezoid in a 40-year-old man. A tomogram of the carpal bane was useful in diagnosi ng the trapezoid fracture. The mechanism for development of fracture of the trapezoid alone is unknown. However, fracture of the trapezoid seemed to o ccur when the wrist joint was forced with excessive flexion stress that was placed on the trapezoid through the second metacarpal bone indirectly. Thi s occurred in the same manner that a walnut is broken with nutcrackers.