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Fracture of the semilunate bone: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 12.07.2025
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ICD-10 code
S62.1 Fracture of other bone(s) of wrist.
[ What causes a lunate fracture?
A lunate fracture occurs as a result of a fall on the hand, which is abducted to the ulnar side.
Symptoms of a Lunate Fracture
Complaints of pain and limited movement in the wrist joint.
Diagnosis of lunate fracture
Inspection and physical examination
Swelling is detected on the dorsal surface of the middle of the wrist. Axial load on the III-IV fingers, palpation of the lunate bone area and dorsal extension of the hand are painful. Movements in the wrist joint are limited due to pain.
Laboratory and instrumental studies
The leading diagnostic method is radiography. The images must be taken in two or three positions: front, profile, half-profile. As with a scaphoid bone injury, in doubtful cases, a control radiography is performed 2 weeks after the injury - during the period of rarefaction.
Treatment of lunate bone fracture
Conservative treatment of lunate bone fracture
Treatment for compression fractures and fractures without displacement is carried out on an outpatient basis. Anesthesia, volume and shape of the plaster cast are the same as for fractures of the scaphoid bone. During the fixation period, UHF, static and dynamic exercise therapy are prescribed. The immobilization period is 8-10 weeks with subsequent development of movements in the wrist joint and hand joints.