Introduction: Acute wrist sprain is the most common initial diagnosis in acute wrist injuries. Nevertheless, acute wrist sprain is one of the most common erroneous initial diagnosis in Traumatology. The objective of this study is a prospective survey on these injuries.

Material and methods: Emergency Department and Consultation protocols were developped. Complicated Evolution of Radiograph-Negative Acute Wrist Injury (CERNAWI) was defined.

Results: Between January and December 2005, data from 103 patients was collected. 33 patients were lost to follow up. 11,4% of the patients presented a positive radiograph image during the follow up. 28,5% of the patients’ injuries were considered CERNAWI. A score (CERNAWI score) is developped in order to make prognosis of the evolution of these injuries. Its sensibility was 95% and its specificity 30%.

Conclusions: A great number of patients having suffered a radiograph-negative wrist trauma will have a complicated evolution. The CERNAWI score is an item that could be used at Emergency Departments to make prognosis of the acute wrist trauma.

Correspondencia:

I. Calvo Lorenzo.
Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología
Hospital de Cruces. Plza Cruces s/n.
48903. Barakaldo. Bizkaia
E-mail: isidorocalvo@gmail.com

Patología del Aparato Locomotor, 2007; 5 (1): 31-39