Triquetral Fracture
A Triquetral Fracture is a break of the Triquetral bone (sometimes called triquetrum), one of the eight small carpal bones in the wrist. The Triquetral is the second most commonly fractured carpal, behind the Scaphoid.
Symptoms of a Triquetral Fracture
- Pain in the wrist after a fall or impact.
- Pain is located on the little finger side of the wrist.
- Tenderness when feeling this area.
- Swelling.
- Redced wrist range of motion.
- Reduced strength of grip.
Causes
Triquetral fractures most commonly occur after a fall onto an outstretched hand, especially with the wrist in extension and ulna devation (bent back and tilted, little finger side downwards).
A direct impact from a blunt, hard object on the back of the wrist could also cause this injury.
Triquetral fractures may occur in isolation, with no other associated injuries. However, they are often more complicated and may include other fractures, such as to the lunate, as well as fracture dislocations and soft tissue injuries.
Treatment of a Triquetral Fracture
- If a fracture is suspected, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- An X-ray will be required to confirm the diagnosis and rule out any associated injuries.
- Isolcated Triquetral fractures tend to heal well with immobilisation.
- The wrist is placed in a cast for approximately 6 weeks so the bone can heal.
- After this period, the cast is removed and exercises to reagin full movement and strength at the wrist should be performed.
