Dorsal Subluxation of The Proximal Carpal Row with the Use of a Bridge Plate

Abstract

Background Spanning bridge plates were first popularized for fixation of complex distal radius fractures. However, indications for their use have expanded including the surgical treatment algorithm for treating conditions such as Kienböck's disease. Traditionally, initial surgical treatment of Lichtman Stages II to III Kienböck's disease included lunate decompression, unloading, and revascularization procedures. The addition of a dorsal spanning bridge plate further facilitates lunate offloading and may improve bone revascularization. Case Description We report a complication of proximal carpal row dorsal subluxation secondary to dorsal spanning plate fixation in a patient with Stage IIIb Kienböck's disease. The patient had undergone wrist arthroscopy, lunate forage, radius core decompression, and spanning plate fixation. At 6 weeks after surgery, radiographic imaging demonstrated dorsal subluxation of the proximal carpal row that was corrected upon bridge plate removal. Serial radiographs during follow-up showed no further carpal subluxation without Kienböck's disease progression at 12 months postremoval of hardware. Patient remains pain free and has returned to elite level sport. Literature Review To our knowledge no previous cases of proximal carpal row subluxation with the use of dorsal bridge plate has been reported in the literature. Clinical Relevance Proximal row carpal subluxation can occur with dorsal bridge plate fixation.