Divergent dislocation of the carpometacarpal joints: a case report

BACKGROUND: Divergent carpometacarpal joint dislocations of the fingers are very rare. Due to severe swelling and overlapping of bones on a radiograph of the wrist and hand, dislocations are missed. The purpose of this clinical case report is to highlight this unusual injury to avoid missing diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 24-year-old Moroccan man, an athlete, who presented divergent carpometacarpal joint fracture-dislocations of the ulnar four fingers after a fall during a national cycling competition. Radiographs showed divergent dislocation and associated fractures. He underwent open reduction and fixation with percutaneous Kirschner wires followed by 6 weeks of immobilization. Active physiotherapy was started and the results were satisfactory after a 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Divergent carpometacarpal joint dislocations of the fingers are exceptional; their diagnosis is sometimes difficult and may go unnoticed especially in a patient with polytrauma. The functional prognosis depends on the precocity of diagnosis and the quality of the reduction and rehabilitation.