In this video, Dr. Alejandro Badia meets with Yvette, an emergency physician from Jamaica, for her one-year post-operative follow-up. Yvette suffered a complex scapholunate ligament tear, a severe wrist injury that is often more complicated to treat than a standard fracture and requires highly specialized care.
Dr. Badia explains the intricacies of her open surgical repair, which involved the use of temporary pins for eight weeks and absorbable anchors to correctly position the lunate bone. A year later, Yvette has regained excellent wrist flexion and overall functionality. As a fellow medical professional, she highlights the critical importance of researching and seeking out a dedicated hand and wrist specialist for complex orthopedic injuries.
One Year After Scapholunate Ligament Surgery
One year after undergoing surgery for a complex scapholunate ligament tear, Yvette returned for a follow-up evaluation with Dr. Alejandro Badia. Her recovery demonstrates the progress that can be achieved following specialized treatment of a significant wrist ligament injury.
At her one-year follow-up, Yvette showed excellent wrist flexion and overall function following her surgical repair. For an active professional—and particularly for an emergency physician who depends on her hands every day—restoring wrist mobility and function is an important part of returning to normal activities.
What Is a Scapholunate Ligament Tear?
The scapholunate ligament is an important stabilizing structure in the wrist that connects the scaphoid and lunate bones. When this ligament is significantly injured, the normal relationship between these bones can be disrupted, potentially affecting wrist stability, movement, grip, and function.
Complex scapholunate injuries can require specialized evaluation because they are very different from a simple wrist sprain and may be more challenging to treat than some wrist fractures.
Symptoms associated with a significant wrist ligament injury may include pain, swelling, weakness, reduced grip strength, limited wrist motion, or discomfort during activities that place stress on the wrist.
Surgical Repair of a Complex Scapholunate Ligament Injury
Yvette’s injury required an open surgical repair. During the procedure, temporary pins were used for eight weeks, along with absorbable anchors to help restore the appropriate position of the lunate bone.
The goal of treating a complex scapholunate ligament injury is not simply to address wrist pain, but also to restore proper alignment and stability so that the wrist can function as effectively as possible.
Because every ligament injury is different, treatment depends on factors such as the severity and timing of the injury, wrist stability, associated damage, and the patient’s individual needs.
The Importance of Seeing a Hand and Wrist Specialist
As a physician herself, Yvette emphasizes an important message in her testimonial: patients with complex orthopedic injuries should research their condition and seek care from a specialist with extensive experience treating the affected area.
Wrist injuries can sometimes be underestimated, particularly when initial symptoms resemble those of a sprain. Persistent wrist pain, weakness, instability, or loss of motion may warrant further evaluation to determine whether an underlying ligament injury is present.
For complex conditions such as a scapholunate ligament tear, an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan are critical steps toward restoring wrist function.
Traveling from Jamaica for Specialized Wrist Care
Yvette traveled from Jamaica to receive specialized treatment from Dr. Badia in Miami. Her story is also an example of how international patients can seek specialized orthopedic care when dealing with challenging hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder conditions.
At the Badia Hand to Shoulder Center, international patients can have their condition evaluated and discuss potential treatment options. A telemedicine consultation may also provide an initial step for patients outside the United States before determining whether an in-person visit to Miami is appropriate.
Dealing With a Complex Wrist Injury?
Persistent wrist pain or dysfunction following an injury should not automatically be considered a simple sprain. Damage to important structures such as the scapholunate ligament may require specialized diagnosis and treatment.
If you have ongoing wrist pain, weakness, instability, or limited motion, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Alejandro Badia to better understand your condition and available treatment options.
