[Carpal instability after fractures of the distal end of the radius]

Evaluation of the scapho-lunate angle (SLA) was made on the lateral X-rays of 335 cases after Colles' fracture. Value of SLA over 65 degrees was accepted as the sign of the dorsal intercaleted segmental instability of the wrist (DISI). In the material was stated 84 cases (25%) of the DISI. Frequency of the incidence of the DISI was analysed according to fracture type and the age of the patient. More frequent incidence of the DISI was discovered in the intraarticular fractures (44%) than in the extraarticular (20%). The difference between fractures with or without dislocation was not so great (27% tp 21%). Increasing percent of the DISI was stated in the older age-groups (the greatest--49%--in the group after 70-years old).