Pearls

The name comes from chauffeurs who started cars in the early 20th century. At the time, people started cars by vigorously turning a crank-handle clockwise. Sometimes the start of the motor caused the crank handle to jerk back. This led to a person’s hand twisting backward at the wrist and breaking the radial stylus.

Complications

Can be associated with scapholunate ligament injuries: obtain clenched view X-rays of both wrists to evaluate the width of the scapholunate joints.