Treatment modalities and patient reported outcomes in isolated and combined dorsal triquetrum chip fractures

Triquetrum fractures are the second most common carpal fracture after scaphoid fractures with dorsal triquetrum chip fracture being the most common fracture type. There is little evidence about treatment and outcome of these fractures. In this retrospective study of 39 patients, non-operative treatment with a wrist orthosis is compared to a cast. Furthermore, the duration of immobilisation is analysed. Incidence and outcomes of isolated dorsal triquetrum chip fracture and in combination with concomitant ipsilateral upper limb injuries were studied. We found no difference in patient reported outcome measures, range of motion (ROM) and function for isolated dorsal triquetrum fractures in terms of type and time of immobilisation. Conservative treatment of these fractures resulted in good overall outcomes (PROMs, ROM), whereby ROM was slightly better for isolated injuries compared to combined injuries. In general, these fractures can be treated non-operatively with favourable patient-reported and clinical outcomes regardless of immobilisation modality and duration. Level of evidence III (therapeutic).