COMPARTMENTS OF THE HAND SERIES

Nerve flattening ratio of 3:1 (Yesildag et al – Clinical Radiology).Ĭanal bordered by the pisiform & hamate and roofed by a reflection of the flexor retinaculum.Nerve cross sectional area of >10square mm proximal to the retinaculum.In our experience, these have not been reliable.

There have been several proposed methods of quatitative assessment for carpal tunnel.

Any asymmetry with the contra lateral side.

Our role is to identify possible causes for the patient’s symptoms.

The accepted standard for diagnosis is a nerve conduction study.

Ultrasound cannot exclude Carpal tunnel syndrome.

It occurs when the median nerve is compressed by the overlying flexor retinaculum. This is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment. (REF: AJR article )ĪNTERIOR WRIST A basic schematic of the anterior wrist tendons and Carpal Tunnel.įor pathology example images, click here to goto the wrist pathology page. Visualising the SCL does not exclude carpal instability. The scaphoid will rotate abnormally during wrist movement, which if left untreated can lead to significant chronic wrist degeneration.

If complete, it results in Scapho-lunate instability.

If only a partial tear it is usually stable.

Similar mechanism to a scaphoid fracture but results in a ligament tear instead.

Injury occurs with a hyperextension of the wrist.

The scapholunate ligament is the most important dorsal intrinsic stabiliser.

COMPARTMENTS OF THE HAND SERIES

These joints are supported by a series of extrinsic and intrinsic ligaments. and 2. The radiocarpal and midcarpal Joints allow wrist flexion, extension and lateral deviation.ģ. The distal radio-ulnar joint allows the forearm and hand to rotate. The wrist is essentially divided into 3 joint planes:ġ. Patients present with focal, point tenderness laterally over the radial styloid.Įxtensor Pollicis Brevis crossing over extensor Carpi Radialis longus & Brevis.Įxt Pollicis Longus crossing over extensor Carpi Radialis longus & Brevis.Inflammation of the Abductor Pollicis Longus and Extensor pollicis Brevis tendons.Work your way sequentially across the wrist assessing each tendon individually.įor pathology example images, click here to goto the wrist pathology page. If they go to the carpus you have slipped medially onto compartment 2.

To check, both tendons should be able to be followed up the thumb.

You should see the APL & EPB in compartment 1. These are all tethered by the extensor retinaculum which overlies ,and in some areas reflects around, the tendons.īegin by scanning over the lateral wrist crease at the anatomical “snuff-box”.

Extensor Carpi Radialis (ECR) longus and Brevis.

If necessary, you can compare with the contralateral side.Ībductor pollicis longus(APL) and Extensor Pollicis Brevis (EPB) The posterior wrist is conveniently divided into 6 compartments:.

The tendon sheaths approximately extend for a couple of cm either side of the wrist crease.

Initially, survey each tendon in transverse from the musculo-tendinous junction to the distal insertion.

Compartments of the hand