Mayfield classification Flashcards
What defines stage 1 of Mayfield’s classification?
A complete tear of the scapholunate ligament. This is the initial injury in the perilunate progression.
What occurs in stage 2 of Mayfield’s classification?
Disruption of the lunocapitate articulation. The joint between the lunate and capitate becomes unstable.
What is the key feature of stage 3 in Mayfield’s classification?
Rupture of the lunotriquetral ligament. This further destabilizes the carpus.
What happens in stage 4 of Mayfield’s classification?
The lunate dislocates out of the lunate fossa through the space of Poirier into the carpal tunnel. This is the most severe stage.
What is the space of Poirier?
A weak area in the volar wrist capsule, through which the lunate can dislocate in severe injuries.
In a wrist injury, the lunate has dislocated into the carpal tunnel. What stage is this?
Stage 4. This indicates the final, most advanced stage.
Mayfield classification
A patient has tears of both the scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligaments, but the lunate is still in its fossa. What stage is this?
Stage 3. The lunotriquetral rupture occurs here, but lunate dislocation defines stage 4.
What stage involves disruption of the lunocapitate articulation without rupture of the lunotriquetral ligament?
Stage 2. This stage precedes involvement of the lunotriquetral ligament.
List the four stages of Mayfield’s classification in order.
Stage 1: Complete tear of the scapholunate ligament.
Stage 2: Disruption of the lunocapitate articulation.
Stage 3: Rupture of the lunotriquetral ligament.
Stage 4: Lunate dislocation through the space of Poirier into the carpal tunnel.
Which ligament is torn in stage 1?
Mayfield classification
Scapholunate ligament.
Which articulation is disrupted in stage 2?
Mayfield classification
Lunocapitate articulation.
Which ligament is ruptured in stage 3?
Mayfield classification
Lunotriquetral ligament.
Through what space does the lunate dislocate in stage 4?
Mayfield classification
Space of Poirier.
Why is the space of Poirier significant in stage 4 of Mayfield’s classification?
It’s a weak spot in the volar wrist capsule, allowing the lunate to dislocate into the carpal tunnel in severe perilunate injuries.
