Scaphocapitate Fracture Syndrome: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review

The scaphocapitate fracture syndrome is a rare injury and refers to concomitant fractures of the scaphoid and capitate carpal bones. It is a special type of perilunate fracture dislocation, accompanied with rotation of 90 or 180 degrees of the fractured proximal pole of the capitate bone.
A right-handed 23-year-old man was presented due to left wrist pain after falling down from great height. His wrist was swollen with severe pain, tenderness, and remarkable restriction of the range of motion. Plain X rays and CT scan revealed scaphoid waist fracture accompanied with capitate fracture and rotation of its proximal pole indicating scaphocapitate fracture syndrome. The scaphoid and head of the capitate were reduced and fixed with headless Herbert screws and the injured lunotriquetral ligament was repaired followed by immobilization of the wrist for 6 weeks. After removing the cast, the patient was referred to physical therapy and finally achieved a painless wrist with acceptable range of motion and grip strength.
Careful clinical examination and appropriate imaging are essential for diagnosis of this rare injury. Open reduction through posterior approach as well as anatomic reduction and fixation with headless compression screws and repairing the ligamentous injuries can result in acceptable clinical and radiological outcomes.