Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The wrist joint instability is a common complication of the injured joints, and the clinical symptoms of carpal instability are precise. However, the reconstruction of wrist joint instability and replacement at late stage remain controversial.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnosis and reconstruction of carpal instability.
METHODS: A computer-based online search of Wanfang and Pubmed database was performed for Chinese and English articles published between January 1972 and December 2009, with the key words “carpal instability, carpal injury, reparation and reconstruction” in Chinese and English. A total of 34 articles regarding to pathogenesis, classification, diagnosis of carpal instability, and treatments were included.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Carpal instability can be diagnosed by general condition, X-ray manifestations, other imaging manifestations and arthroscopic manifestations. Carpal instability treatment is selected according to injury classification, degree and degenerative changes. Early t arthroscopic reconstruction is characterized by little injury, little pain, short hospital stay and rehabilitation, and rapid functional recovery. At the final phases, joint fusion, arthroplasty and prosthesis replacement can be used to treat carpal instability.