6. Wrist and Hand
- Andrea Donovan MD2,
- Mark Schweitzer MD3
Published Online: 22 OCT 2012
DOI: 10.1002/9781118551691.ch6
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Book Title
Imaging Musculoskeletal Trauma: Interpretation and Reporting
Additional Information
How to Cite
Chatha, D. Wrist and Hand, in Imaging Musculoskeletal Trauma: Interpretation and Reporting (eds A. Donovan and M. Schweitzer), John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Oxford. doi: 10.1002/9781118551691.ch6
Editor Information
- 2
Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- 3
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
Publication History
- Published Online: 22 OCT 2012
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9781118158814
Online ISBN: 9781118551691
- Summary
- Chapter
- References
Keywords:
- carpal bones;
- carpal dislocation;
- computed tomography (CT);
- hand trauma;
- magnetic resonance (MR) imaging;
- metacarpal fracture;
- radiographs;
- ultrasound;
- wrist trauma
Summary
The wrist, or carpus, is defined as distal portion of radius and ulna, carpal bones and their articulations with metacarpal bases. The hand includes structures distal to metacarpal bases, namely metacarpophalangeal joints, phalanges and their articulations. The wrist and hand are anatomically distinct from each other and radiographic evaluation of each is different. Imaging of hand trauma and wrist trauma includes radiographs, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and ultrasound. Both fractures of the distal radius and ulna, and scaphoid fractures result from a fall on an outstretched hand. Most carpal dislocations are related to high-energy trauma related to either motor vehicle accidents or falling from a height. Metacarpal fractures are divided into fractures of the head and neck, shaft and base, with the first and fifth metacarpals being the most commonly fractured. Carpometacarpal (CMC) dislocations most frequently occur at the thumb and the fourth and fifth CMC joint.