Skip to main content
OrthoVellum
Knowledge Hub

Study

  • Topics
  • MCQs
  • ISAWE
  • Operative Surgery
  • Flashcards

Company

  • About Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Blog

Legal

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Copyright & DMCA
  • Refund Policy

Support

  • Help Center
  • Accessibility
  • Report an Issue
OrthoVellum

Ā© 2026 OrthoVellum. For educational purposes only.

Not affiliated with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Hand & Upper Limb
intermediate
X-Type

Scapholunate Dissociation

Carpal Instability

A 32-year-old man presents 6 weeks after falling onto his outstretched dominant hand. He has persistent dorsal wrist pain and weakness with gripping. Examination reveals tenderness in the anatomical snuffbox and over the dorsal scapholunate interval. The Watson (scaphoid shift) test is positive with a painful clunk. Radiographs show widening of the scapholunate interval on the PA view and an increased scapholunate angle on the lateral view. Regarding scapholunate dissociation:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

The scapholunate ligament is the primary stabilizer of the scapholunate joint; it has dorsal, proxim...

B

Radiographic findings include: scapholunate interval greater than 3mm (Terry Thomas sign), scapholun...

C

The volar portion of the SL ligament is strongest; disruption causes VISI pattern; the lunate flexes...

D

Treatment depends on timing and severity: acute complete tears with reducible deformity may undergo ...

E

The Watson test (scaphoid shift test) is performed by applying palmar pressure to the scaphoid tuber...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option