The association of lunate morphology with the development of wrist pathology in the Saudi population

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The lunate bone plays a crucial role in wrist stability and movement; therefore, any disruption to its integrity could significantly impact the function of the hand and subsequently, the quality of life. The variation in lunate morphology has been associated with several wrist pathologies. Although limited studies have assessed the association between lunate morphology and wrist pathology, none has been done on the Saudi population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a hospital, in Saudi Arabia. A total of 284 wrist radiological reports were included in the study. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, clinical assessment, and demographic information were obtained for each of these 284 reports. Lunate morphology was dichotomized according to the Viegas classification, and the presence of various wrist pathologies was evaluated using MRI. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 205 patients; 72.2% had a type I lunate and 27.8% had a type II lunate. Both Saudi citizens and residents were represented in the study population. Tendinopathy was the most identified pathology (89%), followed by ganglion cysts (42%), osteoarthritis (29%), ligament injury (28%), and fractures (17%). No significant association was found between lunate type and the distribution of the wrist pathologies (P = 0.510) or with the type of pathology (P = 0.595). CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable insight into the association between lunate morphology and wrist disorders. The findings suggest that lunate morphology does not significantly influence the presence of specific wrist pathologies. Further research is needed to explore other factors that influence wrist disorders.

Keywords

• lunate
• magnetic resonance imaging
• morphology
• prevalence
• wrist pathology