LESIONS OF THE SCAPHOLUNATE LIGAMENTS IN ACUTE WRIST TRAUMA - ARTHROSCOPIC DIAGNOSIS AND MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENT

The final result of the treatment of distal intraarticular radius frac tures depends both on the accuracy of the fracture reduction and on th e presence or absence of additional carpal injuries. In particular,les ions of the intrinsic ligaments usually cause severe degenerative dama ge of the wrist joint if they are missed primarily. With the introduct ion of wrist arthroscopy these tears can be evaluated and treated earl ier. Since 1993 arthroscopically assisted treatment has been performed in 23 patients with distal intraarticular fractures of the radius (ma inly C fractures according to the AO classification system or group VI I and VIII fractures according to Frykman). SL tears have been found i n 11 patients (47.8%), 7 of whom showed marked instability and were st abilised at the time of surgery.