Wrist Injuries

Abstract

There are eight carpal bones and the radius and ulna which, together, form four separate joint spaces (Fig. 5–1). Normally, an arthrogram of the distal radioulnar joint will show dye contained within that space, unless there is a disruption of the triangular fibrocartilage complex, which would allow dye leakage into the proximal wrist joint (Fig. 5–2). An arthrogram of the midcarpal wrist joint would contain the dye within the midcarpal joint and between the scapholunate and lunotriquetral joints, unless there is disruption of the interosseous ligament so that the proximal carpal row would allow dye leakage into the proximal wrist joint. An arthrogram of the proximal wrist joint should be contained within that wrist joint, unless disruption of ligaments or the TFC allows dye leakage into the midcarpal and/or distal radioulnar joint. A fourth joint space, which is the pisotriquetral joint, can be seen regularly to communicate with the proximal wrist joint.