J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2008 Aug;43(4):514-517. 10.4055/jkoa.2008.43.4.514.

Trapezial Fracture in Golf Player: Case Report

• Han KJ
• Min HT
• Lee YK
• Cho JH

• KMID: 1480415
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2008.43.4.514

Abstract

The carpo-metacarpal joint is important for thumb function and for strong pinching and grasping. Inadequately treated fracture of the trapezium can produce long term morbidity. Solitary fracture of the trapezium are uncommon, compose less than 3% of all carpal fractures in adults. However such fractures are very rare in growing patients. Routine anteroposterior (AP) and lateral radiographs of the wrist often fail to show these fractures because of the overlapping trapezoid. Special radiographic views have been described (Robert's view) to detect this fracture. Computer tomography (CT) was found to be essential for the diagnosis and proper treatment of the described injury. We report a case of sagittally split fracture of the trapezium associated with a subluxated carpo-metacarpal joint of the thumb that occurred while playing golf, which was treated by open reduction and percutaneous pinning using two K-wires.

Keyword

Trapezial fracture; Carpometacarpal subluxation; Golf

MeSH Terms

Adult
Golf
Hand Strength
Humans
Joints
Thumb
Wrist

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Initial radiograph showing a sagittally split fracture of the trapezium associated with subluxation and step-off of the carpo-metacarpal joint of the thumb.

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  Fig. 2 CT scan showing fracture of the trapezium associated with carpo-metacarpal joint subluxation of the thumb.

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  Fig. 3 Intra-operative photography of fracture of the trpezium with associated step-off of the carpo-metacarpal joint of the thumb.

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  Fig. 4 Postoperative radiograph showing no subluxation or step-off of the carpo-metacarpal joint of the thumb.

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  Fig. 5 Four months later, there were no abnormal other findings other than mild arthritis.

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