Diagnostic applications of wrist arthrography.

Arthrography of the wrist joint as a dynamic examination aids in confirming lesions of interosseous ligaments of the triangular fibrocartilage complex and soft tissue. The results of arthrography in 185 wrists, classified according to age of patients and pathological disorders with or without trauma demonstrate mostly post-traumatic discus lesions in younger patients. Older patients have an increase in pathological findings with a similar distribution between ligaments and discus. Soft-tissue injuries or discus lesions can be confirmed or excluded before osteoplastic surgery for distal radius fractures or reconstruction of ligaments in cases of carpal instability. Pathological changes of biomechanics of the hand and wrist are noticed more often and consequently are treated surgically. Arthrography of the wrist joint is a valuable means of diagnostic imaging.