Arthritic disorders of the adult radiocarpal joint: anatomic considerations and an evaluation of fifty consecutive abnormal cases.

The anatomy and pathology of the radiocarpal compartment of the adult wrist are described in a study of human cadavers and 50 consecutive patients with radiocarpal joint abnormalities. The most frequently encountered diseases were adult onset rheumatoid arthritis (42) and calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (22%). Features allowing radiographic diagnosis included the degree of symmetry and the presence of demineralization, sclerosis, joint space narrowing, subchondral cysts and erosions. Evaluation of abnormalities in other compartments of the wrist and the ulnar styloid is mandatory.