Hypermobility Is a Risk Factor for Nonoperative Treatment Failure in Scapholunate Ligament Injury.

Background: Generalized joint hypermobility, defined by the Beighton score, is typically associated with poor outcomes after large ligament injury. However, its impact on scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) injuries remains unknown. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of adults with isolated SLIL injuries, confirmed using magnetic resonance imaging, presenting to a single academic hand surgeon between 2013 and 2023. Demographics, Beighton scores, pain characteristics, and pain scores after treatment were collected. Hypermobility was defined as a Beighton score of 5 or greater. All patients initially underwent conservative management, with failure defined as persistent pain at 3 months. Patients requiring surgery were followed up for 1 year postoperatively to assess persistent pain. Statistical analysis included χ Results: We included 116 patients, of whom 27% met criteria for hypermobility. Hypermobile patients demonstrated a trend toward higher rates of conservative treatment failure compared with nonhypermobile patients (45% versus 26%, Conclusions: Generalized joint hypermobility is associated with increased risk of conservative management failure for SLIL injuries. Screening for hypermobility may help identify patients at higher risk for poor nonoperative outcomes. Further studies are warranted on postoperative outcomes.