Carpal Instability

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand 1996;1(1):27-38.
Published online January 1, 1996.

Carpal Instability

Moon Sang Chung,Jin Soo Park,Yong Bum Park

수근부 불안정

정문상,박진수,박용범

Abstract

Carpal instability is defined as a phenomenon in which the subluxation or dislocation are resulted from the chronic ligamentous injuries of the wrist. For understanding of the carpal instability, we need a basic knowledge of the anatomy, biomechanics and kinematics of the wrist. Because the carpal joints show features of three or four-dimensional structure, we make no sense of the biomechanics and kinematics of the wrist depending on the current two-dimensional radiographic studies. Recently, there has been a much improvement in understanding of the carpal instability with the development of the normal anatomy and pathological findings. But, carpal instability is a term used in uncertain conditions of the wrist. Complete knowledge and skill are required in the diagnosis and treatment of the carpal instability. Authors think that carpal instability must be included in the differential diagnoses in the case of the chronic wrist pain. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment should be done according to the etiologies of the chronic wrist pain and we must regard the carpal instability as one of the causative factors of the chronic wrist pain.