WRIST JOINT

AJAYI TIMILEHIN SAMUEL

Introduction
• Also Known as the Radiocarpal Joint
• Articulation Between the radius,
articular disk and the Proximal row of
carpal bones of the hand
• Condyloid-type(ellipsoid) of Synovial
Joint
• Marks the area of transition between
the forearm and the hand
• The position of the Joint is indicated
approximately by a line joining the
styloid processes of the radius and ulna
or by the proximal wrist crease
Articulating Surfaces
• Wrist joint is formed by an articulation
between:
• Distal end of the Radius and the articular
disk
• Proximal row of the carpal bones (except
the pisiform)
• Together, the carpal bones form a convex
surface which fits into the concave shape
of the radius and articular disk
• The Ulnar does not articulate with the
carpal bones due to the presence of the
articular disk- only forms the Distal
Radioulnar Joint
Joint Capsule
• The fibrous layer of the joint capsule
surrounds the wrist joint and attaches
to the distal ends of the radius and
ulna, as well as the proximal rows of
the carpal bones.
• Synovial Membrane lines the internal
surface of the capsule
• Numerous synovial folds are present
(Moore et al., 2017)
Ligaments
• Palmar Radiocarpal Ligaments
• Dorsal Radiocarpal Ligaments
• Ulnar Collateral Ligaments
• Radial Collateral Ligament
• The ligaments provide stability and
support to the wrist, enabling a wide
range of movements while maintaining
joint integrity.
• Injury to these ligaments can lead to
wrist instability, pain, and limited
mobility.
Muscles Acting on the Wrist Joint
Flexor Muscles Abductor and Adductor Muscles
• Flexor Carpi Radialis • Abductor Pollicis Longus
• Flexor Carpi Ulnaris • Extensor Carpi Ulnaris
• Palmaris Longus Rotator Muscles
Extensor Muscles • Pronator Teres
• Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis • Supinator
• Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus These muscles work together to provide a wide range of
movements at the radiocarpal joint, including flexion,
• Extensor Carpi Ulnaris extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation.
Movements of the Wrist joint
Here are the main movements of the wrist joint: Adduction
Flexion • Movement: The wrist joint adducts, allowing the hand
• Movement: The wrist joint flexes, allowing the to move toward the midline of the body.
palm of the hand to move toward the forearm. • Range of motion: Approximately 20-30 degrees.
• Range of motion: Approximately 80-90 degrees. Circumduction
Extension
• Movement: The wrist joint circumducts, allowing the
• Movement: The wrist joint extends, allowing hand to move in a circular motion.
the back of the hand to move away from the
forearm. • Range of motion: Approximately 360 degrees.
• Range of motion: Approximately 60-70 degrees. Rotation
Abduction • Movement: The wrist joint rotates, allowing the hand
• Movement: The wrist joint abducts, allowing to twist.
the hand to move away from the midline of the • Range of motion: Approximately 180 degrees.
body.
• Range of motion: Approximately 20-30 degrees.
Movements of the Wrist joint
Blood Supply
Arterial Supply
Wrist Joint Recieves Blood supply from
the branches of the Dorsal and palmar
carpal arches- derived from the ulnar and
radial arteries
Blood Supply
Superficial Veins
• Cephalic vein
• Basilic vein
• Median cubital vein
Deep Veins
• Radial veins: Accompany the radial artery and
drain the lateral aspect of the wrist.
• Ulnar veins: Accompany the ulnar artery and
drain the medial aspect of the wrist.
• Interosseous veins
Venous Plexuses
• Wrist venous plexus
• Carpal venous plexus
Venous Drainage of the Wrist
Innervation
• Recieves innervation fron branches of
three nerves
• Anterior interosseous branch- Median
nerve
• Posterior interosseous branch- Radial
nerve
• Deep and Dorsal Branches- Ulnar
nerve (Moore et al., 2017)

Innervation to the Wrist and Hand

Imaging Examinations
Imaging examinations are pivotal in diagnosing Ultrasonography (US)
and managing wrist joint disorders. Common
imaging modalities used to evaluate the wrist • High-frequency US
joint include: • Dynamic US: Assesses the movement and
Radiographs (X-rays) function of the wrist joint and surrounding
tissues.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
Bone Scintigraphy
• High-resolution CT
• Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) bone scan:
• CT arthrography: Involves injecting contrast Evaluates bone metabolism and identifies
material into the joint to evaluate the joint areas of increased bone activity, which may
space and surrounding tissues. suggest inflammation, infection, or tumor.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• High-resolution MRI
• MRI arthrography
Imaging Pictures of the Wrist Joint
Pathological Conditions
Degenerative Conditions Inflammatory Conditions
• Osteoarthritis • Gout
• Rheumatoid Arthritis • Pseudogout
Traumatic Conditions
• Septic Arthritis
• Scaphoid Fracture FOOSH
Tumors and Cysts
• Colles' Fracture
• Giant Cell Tumor
• Wrist Sprain
• Osteochondroma
• Disclocation of Lunate
Overuse Conditions
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Tendinitis
• Ganglion Cyst
Pathological Conditions
Recent Researches on Wrist Joint
Kinematics and Kinetics
• Wrist joint kinematics
• Wrist joint kinetics:
Biomechanical Modeling
• Wrist joint prosthetics:
Development of advanced
prosthetic devices for wrist joint
replacement.
• Wrist joint robotics: Research on
using robotics and mechatronics
for wrist rehabilitation and surgery. Hangbing Fan et al. (2022)
• Wrist arthroplasty: Research on
the design and performance of
wrist arthroplasty implants.
References
• Fan, H., Wei, G., & Ren, L. (2022). Prosthetic and robotic wrists comparing with
the intelligently evolved human wrist: A review. Robotica, 40(11), 4169-4191.
• Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. (2017). Clinically oriented anatomy (8th
ed.). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.