Scapholunate ligament injuries in the nonarthritic wrist.

Overview

The scapholunate ligament (SLL) is a critical stabilizer of the wrist joint. Disruption of the SLL leads to altered wrist kinematics, including scaphoid flexion, lunate extension, and increased stress on surrounding cartilage and ligaments, which can progress to dorsal intercalated segment instability and scapholunate advanced collapse. Despite predictable biomechanical changes, clinical outcomes vary widely because some patients develop significant functional limitations, whereas others remain asymptomatic. Nonoperative management, including immobilization, therapy, and bracing, remains the first-line treatment for partial tears or stable injuries. Surgical intervention, such as SLL repair with capsulodesis or reconstruction, is indicated for cases with persistent pain, instability, or functional deficits. Capsulodesis is a commonly used adjunct to SLL repair. Multiple surgical techniques exist for SLL repair in the acute setting and for reconstruction in the chronic setting when SLL is deemed irreparable. Although several surgical techniques are available for chronic injuries, a gold standard has not yet been established.