How long does it take for a trapezium fracture to heal?
Non-displaced trapezium and trapezoid fractures can be treated with a short arm thumb spica cast for 4 to 6 weeks. Treatment for a non-displaced isolated capitate fracture involves immobilization with a short arm thumb spica cast for 6 to 8 weeks.
What happens if you break your trapezium?
Trapezium fractures are rare. They account for ~3–5% of all carpal fractures [1, 2]. The carpometacarpal joint of the thumb plays a pivotal role in the function of the hand. An injury in this region causes pain and swelling at the base of the thumb, affecting prehension, opposition, circumduction and pinch strength.
Can you fracture your trapezium?
Fractures of the trapezium and trapezoid are rare as they require a combination of odd body position and trauma. A trapezium fracture requires a direct blow to the wrist when the thumb is adducted. Trapezoid fractures occur when the second metacarpal butts up against it.
What causes pain in the trapezium bone?
Basal joint arthritis is one injury that is common to the trapezium/first metacarpal joint. It causes pain at the base of the thumb, particularly during pinching or gripping. It also results in weakness when pinching. This joint appears to be particularly prone to wear and tear from normal use of the hand.
What does a trapezium fracture feel like?
Patients with trapezoid fractures may complain of point tenderness at the base of the second metacarpal, pain with range of motion at the second metacarpophalangeal joint, or pain and tenderness at the anatomic snuffbox. Patients may or may not have dorsal wrist swelling and decreased range of motion at the wrist.
How do you know if you broke your trapezium?
The most common presentation of trapezial fracture include pain/tenderness at the base of the first metacarpal bone, pain/tenderness at the snuffbox area and 1st digit motion limitation.
What does a broken trapezium feel like?
Where is the trapezium located?
wrist joint
The trapezium bone is one of eight carpal bones that forms part of the wrist joint. The word trapezium is derived from the Greek word trapezion which means “a little table”. It is an irregular-shaped carpal bone and part of the radial side of the wrist. It is also called the greater multangular bone.
How painful is a Trapeziectomy?
Many patients experience a high degree of pain after a trapeziectomy however some appear to have a comfortable and uncomplicated recovery. Research has looked at different surgical and splinting techniques to improve recovery but have found little difference.
How is a trapezoid fracture treated?
Treatment options include activity modification, immobilization, and open reduction with internal fixation. We present the cases of 2 patients with isolated trapezoid fractures and provide an overview of the workup and management of trapezoid fractures.
Where is the trapezium bone?
How is a fracture of a trapezium treated?
A trapezium fracture is diagnosed through radiography, then treated by setting the bones in the appropriate location, and placing a cast to allow for immobilization and healing. 3 A fractured scaphoid bone, along with other small bones in the wrist, is treated similarly to a trapezium fracture.
Can a non displaced trapezium fracture be occult?
Non displaced fractures can sometimes be occult. A Robert’s AP view, with the hand in full pronation, is a good way of visualizing the trapezium on plain radiographs. If the diagnosis is still in question, a CT or bone scintigraphy could be considered. Trapezial ridge fractures may be overlooked at routine wrist radiography.
Where is the ridge of the trapezium located?
The ridge of the trapezium is the palmar projection of the bone on the medial corner, where the transverse carpal ligament is inserted. Fractures of the ridge are usually a consequence of a fall on an outstretched hand.
When to have a primary trapeziectomy or suspensionplasty?
The alternative is to proceed to a primary trapeziectomy and suspensionplasty if the injury is an isolated fracture of the trapezium. However, this should not be done if there are other carpal fractures, because there is a risk of causing instability.