Lunate Fracture in an Amateur Soccer Player

Abstract

The patient was a 19-year-old male soccer player who sustained a right wrist injury after running into a soccer goal post with a clenched fist. The patient eventually sought medical care 9 weeks after the initial injury. Based upon the physical examination findings—including swelling, palpatory tenderness, and decreased range of motion due to pain—and general lack of improvement following the injury, radiographs of the right wrist were ordered. The radiographs were of concern due to an apparent fracture of the lunate. To evaluate the extent of the fracture, a computed tomography scan was completed. It revealed a central transverse fracture of the lunate with a depressed fragment seen centrally, with some comminution. Additionally, the anterior and posterior fragments of the lunate were minimally displaced with impaction of the capitate. Because of the significant delay in patient presentation in this case, a nonoperative treatment strategy was utilized, which involved casting, followed by treatment provided by a physical therapist. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2009;39(12):884. doi:10.2519/jospt.2009.0415