WRIST INVOLVEMENT IN HANSENS-DISEASE

We performed a neurological and radiological study of the wrists of 58 patients with Hansen's disease and 60 age-matched healthy control sub jects. Significant differences (p < 0.01) were found between the group s in the carpal glenoid sector, the radial physeal widening index, the carpal ulnar distance, the carpal index and in distal radio-ulnar dis crepancy. Comparison of the results in three subgroups of leprous pati ents with sensory impairment (group A-1), motor deficit (A-2) and no n eurological impairment (A-3), showed significant differences (p < 0.01 ) between group A-1 and the other two. This suggests that in these pat ients the changes in the carpus and radiocarpal joint may be caused by neuropathic arthropathy of the wrist. Our findings are of particular interest since there are few reports of neuropathic arthropathy in non -weightbearing joints.