SCAPHOID SHIFT IN THE UNINJURED WRIST

To determine the prevalence of a positive scaphoid shift in an uninjur ed population, 100 patients presenting with symptoms unrelated to trau ma or wrist instability underwent physical and radiographic evaluation . On physical examination, the scaphoid shirt maneuver was performed b ilaterally, and generalized ligamentous laxity was assessed using stan dard criteria. Standard x-ray films were inspected for carpal abnormal ities, and the radiolunate and scapholunate angles were measured. The prevalence of a positive scaphoid shift was 32%; the shirt was painles s in all patients. Fourteen patients had a unilateral scaphoid shift. Patients with a positive scaphoid shirt had increased generalized liga mentous laxity manifested by a decreased average thumb-to-forearm dist ance and an increased mean flexion-extension are. A positive shift was not correlated with radiographic carpal malalignment.