IS THIS SCAPHOLUNATE JOINT AND ITS LIGAMENT ABNORMAL

There is confusion in the literature with respect to evaluation of the scapholunate joint space and ligament. Because routine x-ray films of the wrist commonly do not profile the scapholunate joint perfectly, determination of the joint space width often is inaccurate. One method that invariably will allow a good profile of the scapholunate joint involves the use of fluoroscopically controlled views in different positions of the wrist. However, when abnormal width is suspected, in all examinations the wrist in question should be compared with the opposite wrist and the findings carefully correlated with clinical symptoms. Additional arthrographic findings, which have not been discussed in the literature before, are described. Midcarpal arthrography identifies and illustrates a variety of appearances of the scapholunate ligament. The reason for these different appearances and whether they are normal variations or pathologic findings is not known. This article is designed to stimulate further clinical and x-ray research to clarify normal and abnormal features of the scapholunate joint and ligament.