Physical examination of the carpal bones by orthopaedic and accident and emergency surgeons

Our aim was to test knowledge of carpal bone surface anatomy among orthopaedic and accident and emergency surgeons. A survey of 58 surgeons was conducted. Each was asked to palpate seven points on five commonly injured carpal bones. Eight surgeons declined to participate. Five of the remaining 50 correctly palpated all surface markings. Six failed to accurately palpate even a single point. The scaphoid waist and trapezial ridge were accurately palpated by 47 surgeons. The median score for all participants was 3 correctly identified points. The majority of orthopaedic and accident and emergency surgeons do not perform an accurate physical examination of the carpal bones. The ancient art of history taking, precise physical examination and elucidation of a confident diagnosis is at risk of being replaced with tentative diagnoses and imaging techniques that are expensive and time consuming. We believe that basic anatomical teaching is inadequate.