Chronic Volar Lunate Dislocation Resulting in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Case Report

Lunate dislocations are rare injuries caused by highenergy trauma disrupting the ligamentous restraints that connect the lunate to the carpus. We describe a case of missed volar lunate dislocation 10 years after the initial injury. The patient presented to our clinic with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome after falling on an outstretched arm. He had increasing paresthesias in his median nerve territory and underwent a proximal row carpectomy with release of the transverse carpal ligament. At 2 years postoperatively, successful outcomes were noted with an 80° arc of motion of the carpus and complete resolution of carpal tunnel symptoms. Although rare, chronic lunate dislocations should be considered as a cause of carpal tunnel syndrome in patients with considerable traumatic injuries of the wrist. Careful inspection is essential to ensure this diagnosis is not missed