[Conventional diagnosis of carpal luxation and instability]

The recognition of ligament disruption in carpal dislocation and the early diagnosis of carpal instability have had implications for the therapy since the evolution of differentiated surgical treatment concepts including ligament reconstruction. Plain radiography and the carpal instability series are helpful in the detection of ligament disruption. The radiological analysis is based on the configuration and arrangement of the carpals, the setting of their axes, and the detection of intercarpal gaps. Mechanisms and characteristic radiological findings in the different types of carpal dislocation and instability (scapholunate dissociation, palmar or dorsal intercalated segment instability) are demonstrated in relation to physiological appearance, and the value of conventional films in the diagnosis of carpal dislocation and instability is discussed.