Radiographic Evaluation of Carpal Mechanics and the Scapholunate Angle in a Clenched Fist with Dynamic Computed Tomography Imaging

Purpose: The long-term consequences of injuries to the scapholunate joint can severely limit hand function, and the potential for posttraumatic deformity makes early recognition of these injuries important. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the motion of the scapholunate joint in normal wrists through the radial and ulnar deviation using novel dynamic computed tomography (CT) imaging.

Methods: Fifteen participants consented to have their uninjured wrists scanned. A protocol was designed to ensure adequate time, yet limited exposure, for volunteers. Participants began with the hand in a relaxed fist position and then proceeded to clench the hand in a full fist and relax. Once relaxed again, the wrist was maximally ulnarly deviated and then maximally radially deviated in a fluid motion. Dynamic CT imaging was captured throughout the range of motion.

Results: The scapholunate angle was measured on dynamic wrist images. The mean range of the scapholunate angle that the wrists moved through was 37.2°-45.9°, and the mean midpoint angle was 41.2° ± 0.4°. All wrists had small, measurable differences in the scapholunate angle when moving from the maximum ulnar deviation to the maximal radial deviation. The average maximum angle change through the range is 11.7°, whereas the average minimum angle change was 0.9°.

Conclusions: In this study, scapholunate angle calculations using dynamic wrist CT scans were within the range of accepted normal for the angle in uninjured wrists. With the increased focus on dynamic imaging for wrist motion, it may be possible to derive a standardized protocol for mapping the carpal motion that is clinically applicable and reproducible.

Type Of Study/level Of Evidence: Diagnostic IV.