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Carpal Instability in Athletes

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Sports Injuries

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Abstract

Optimal wrist function requires stability of the carpal components in all joint positions under static and dynamic conditions. Stability is achieved by a sophisticated geometry of articular surfaces and an intricate system of ligaments, retinacula and tendons. Instability of the wrist is a condition of altered joint kinematics in which one or several carpal bones are permitted abnormal patterns of motion as a result of bony abnormalities, ligamentous lesions or joint laxity. Understanding of the carpal instability requires knowledge of the anatomy and kinematics of the carpus.

Pain, weakness, giving-way and click or snap during use are the main symptoms of the carpal instabilities. The clinical examination and radiological imaging techniques are essential in the evaluation of these problems. Because of the limitations of diagnostic techniques, arthroscopy has been the gold standard for the diagnosis. After the correct diagnosis there are several treatment options for the acute or chronic cases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedics and Traumatology, EMOT Hospital, 1418 Sokak No: 14 Kahramanlar, 35230, ?zmir, Turkey

    Emin Bal, Murat Kayalar & Sait Ada

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  1. Emin Bal
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  2. Murat Kayalar
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  3. Sait Ada
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Correspondence to Emin Bal .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fac. Medicine, Dept. Orthopedics & Traumatology, Hacettepe University, Hasyrcylar Caddesi, Ankara, 94110, Turkey

    Mahmut Nedim Doral

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Bal, E., Kayalar, M., Ada, S. (2012). Carpal Instability in Athletes. In: Doral, M. (eds) Sports Injuries. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-15630-4_32

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-15630-4_32

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