Scapholunate (SL) Ligament Injuries
The scapholunate ligament is one of the key stabilising ligaments of the wrist.
Injury may occur after falls, sporting injuries, lifting injuries, or trauma. Some injuries are obvious immediately, while others become apparent gradually over time.
Symptoms may include:
- Pain on the back of the wrist
- Clicking or clunking
- Grip weakness
- Pain pushing up from a chair
- Reduced sporting performance
- A feeling of instability
SL ligament injuries can be difficult to diagnose, particularly early on. Dynamic instability may not always be obvious on standard imaging.
Untreated instability may gradually alter wrist mechanics and lead to progressive arthritis over time.
Treatment depends on:
- The severity of injury
- Chronicity
- Reducibility
- Cartilage condition
- Patient demands
Management ranges from therapy and activity modification through to:
- Arthroscopy
- Ligament repair
- Reconstruction
- Tendon graft procedures
- Stabilisation procedures
- Salvage surgery in more advanced cases
What happens if an SL ligament injury is missed?
Untreated instability may gradually lead to altered wrist mechanics, pain, weakness, and progressive degenerative arthritis known as SLAC wrist.