[Views necessary for the traumatic wrist]

Wrist injuries are an extremely common occurrence. The origin of these injuries may be due to a fracture of the two bones of the forearm or the wrist bones, which may sometimes require specific X-rays views. They are rarely responsible for a dislocation of the wrist. Strains wrists may be misdiagnosed and may result in instability of the wrist. The initial examination of all wrist injuries should systematically include the following four views: (1) a PAview of the wrist in pronation (with the palm facing downward). (2) a lateral view according to the Meyrueis technique. (3) an oblique view. (4) a scaphoid view. An additional, fifth view with the wrist in supination (with the palm facing upward) may be required. If there is clinical evidence of instability of the wrist or if the initial examination results in a probably strained wrist, a further more complete radiological examination can then be undertaken. This examination, known as "the instability examination" includes stress views, which can allow detection of a discrete instability of the wrist. Finally, it is sometimes necessary to carry out this examination in a bilateral and comparative manner.