Lunate Facet Volar Rim Fracture: A Special Entity in distal Radius Fracture That Can Have Severe Consequences If Overlooked.

Most distal radius fractures requiring surgical intervention can often be treated effectively with conventional plating techniques. However, fractures involving the lunate facet volar margin rim present unique challenges due to their load-bearing function in the wrist and their role as the insertion site for the short radiolunate ligament, which helps resist volar translation of the carpus. Additionally, traditional volar plating designs for distal radius fractures are inadequate for fixing this fragment, as they cannot extend beyond the "watershed line" of the distal radius. . This makes stabilization difficult and can result in volar carpal subluxation and subsequent functional impairment. 

Moreover, this fragment is often challenging to identify on X-rays and may be overlooked by less experienced surgeons. A CT scan is essential for accurate assessment of the fracture, and an understanding of the idea of "minimum effective capture length for volar plate implant" can assist in identifying patients at risk for complications resulting from inadequate fixation of the lunate facet volar rim fracture.