ARTHROSCOPIC CATEGORIZATION OF INTERCARPAL LIGAMENTOUS INJURIES OF THE WRIST

Recent advances in our knowledge of wrist ligamentous anatomy, as well as improvements in arthroscopic techniques, permit the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of wrist injuries. The authors review curr ent concepts in wrist ligamentous anatomy, patterns of instability, an d the role of the arthroscope in the evaluation and treatment of such instability. Specifically, wrist portal anatomy and techniques of arth roscopic treatment of patients with partial and complete intercarpal l igament injuries are described. Chronic complete injuries are a contra indication of arthroscopic treatment. The authors conclude that wrist arthroscopy provides a valuable method of diagnosing and treating part ial and complete intercarpal ligamentous injuries.