Normal Wrist X-ray

Last Updated on July 30, 2019

Wrist x-rays are commonly done for wrist injuries and other wrist ailments.

Wrist x-rays are only able to tell about the status of

carpal bones
radiocarpal joint
Carpometacarpal joint
Distal radius
Ulna

In clinical practice, the common x-ray views of the wrist are posteroanterior and lateral.

Oblique radiographs are included to increase sensitivity to carpal, metacarpal, and phalangeal fractures.

PA, lateral and the semipronated oblique views are part of the three-view wrist series. It is most commonly done wrist series.

If we add semisupinated oblique, also called reverse oblique, it is called four-view series.

Apart from wrist series special views can also be done as needed

[Read more about the anatomy of wrist]

Wrist Series Views

PA and lateral views of wrist — PA and lateral Views of Wrist

Posteroanterior or PA View

This view is interchangeably referred to as AP view though it is performed PA. It is also called palmar dorsal view.

The patient sits alongside the table.

With the shoulder, elbow and wrist at the same height [makes radius and ulna parallel], the affected arm is flexed at 90 degrees at elbow and wrist is rested on the table with the palm facing down on the image receptor

This view demonstrates the carpal joint spaces more clearly.

A good PA view has only minor superimposition of the metacarpal bases and the distal radioulnar joint has no or little superimposition.

Oblique Views

There are two oblique views. one is in semipronated position and other is in semisupinated position.

The semipronated oblique is useful in identifying scaphoid fractures, triquetrum and hamate injuries.

The reverse oblique is quite useful for detecting fractures of the ulnar-sided carpal bones

Lateral View

This x-ray is done at a right angle to PA view and shows multiple carpal bones. It allows the assessment of the alignment of the radius, lunate, and capitate when a dislocation is suspected.

It can be done traditionally where the patient keeps the forearm in neutral rotation. This demands to move the forearm to the desired position. However in horizontal beam lateral wrist projection, the movement of the limb is not required and instead, the projection is made horizontal instead of vertical

Special Views

Ulnar and Radial Deviation Views

Changes in the width of the intercarpal joint spaces may occur because of increased intercarpal mobility and the findings are better demonstrated in these views. In short, these views can provide information on the integrity of the carpal ligament system.

Flexion and Extension Views

These views are taken in positions of flexion and extension of the wrist. These again are helpful in evaluating carpal instability.

Clenched Fist PA views

Useful additional view for evaluating suspected intercarpal ligament damage. Widening of the joint space (>2 mm) is considered significant.

it is especially useful in scapholunate dissociation.

Carpal Tunnel View

The carpal tunnel view is an axial projection to look for medial and lateral prominences and the concavity. It is especially helpful to look for injuries of the hook of hamate, pisiform, and trapezium.

The patient sits or stands with the back facing the table and palmar surface of hand is placed in contact with the cassette placed at the table margin.

The wrist is dorsiflexed approximately 135 degrees lifting the carpals and metacarpals away from the cassette. The best method to do this is to ask the patient to pull their fingers back with the other hand.

The resulting image provides a There should be a clear outline of the ventral aspect of the carpal bones.

Carpal Bridge View

The carpal bridge view is used to assess the dorsal aspect of the scaphoid, lunate and the triquetrum.

The patient sits along the table and dorsal aspect the wrist is placed on the cassette and wrist is flexed, as much as tolerable to the patient.

The x-ray provides, a clear outline of the dorsal aspect of the carpal bones with no superimposition.
This x-ray can be very helpful in imaging triquetrum fractures.

How to Visualize Wrist X-ray

For understanding the wrist x-ray, one needs to know how does a normal wrist x-ray look like.

Beginning proximally, the following structures are looked at as we move distally on x-ray.

Distal radius
Distal ulna
Carpal bones
Alignment
Metacarpals

Distal radius

AP view
- Distal radial articular surface should cup the carpals
- Radial styloid is the most distal portion of the articular surface
Lateral view
- Radial surface should be smooth
- Distal radial cortical irregularity or a lucent line [fracture]
- Look for an ulnar styloid avulsion or intra-articular extension.
  Check the ulna styloid
Look for structural integrity and presence of a fracture line
Note for any radiolucent lesion

Ulnar Styloid

However, trace the cortex of the ulna
Look for any avulsion

Carpals

There are eight carpal bones

These are scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform, trapezium, trapezoid, capitate and hamate.

In the following x-ray, each carpal bone has been marked.

The carpus has eight bones in two rows

The proximal row consists of the scaphoid, the lunate, and the triquetrum.

The distal row consists of Trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate.

In the x-ray, the bones have been marked as follows.

S – Scaphoid
L- Lunate
T – Triquetrum
P – Pisiform
Tm – Trapezium
Td – Trapezoid
C – Capitate
H – Hamate

The most commonly injured carpal bone is the scaphoid. It is also important because of the risk of avascular necrosis.

Look at the cortex of the scaphoid on all views
Trace the cortices of the other carpal bones.

Alignment

On the lateral view, a line drawn through the distal radius, lunate and capitate should be smooth.

The lunate should sit within the cup of the distal radius.

The capitate should sit in the cup of the lunate

Any disruption of the line must raise suspicion of carpal dislocation

Carpal arcs [Gilula arcs]

Articular surfaces of the carpal rows form three smooth lines. Tracing these arcs in a normal x-ray, PA view, will reveal 1-2 mm joint space between the carpal bones.

A widening of the space between the scaphoid and lunate is seen in scapholunate dissociation.

Distally, the joint space between the distal carpal row and the metacarpals is visible all along. If there is an overlap it carpometacarpal dislocation.