This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
Wrist radiographs are commonly used for the assessment of the wrist following trauma.
Summary approach
-
alignment
- AP
- distal radius and ulna have smooth joint surface
- carpal arcs are smooth
- carpal bones do not overlap
- apart from pisiform and trapezium
- metacarpals do not overlap and distal carpal row
- lateral
- radius and ulna overlap
- radius in line with lunate and capitate
- AP
-
bones
- check all the bones, but pay particular attention to
- distal radius
- look specifically for a distal radial fracture
- distal ulna
- look specifically for an ulnar styloid fracture/avulsion
- scaphoid
- scaphoid fracture is the commonest carpal fracture
- may be challenging to see on standard views
- distal radius
- check all the bones, but pay particular attention to
-
cortex
- trace around the cortex of the bones
- distal radius and ulna
- all the carpal bones
- proximal metacarpals
- trace around the cortex of the bones