Wrist Disorders: Current Concepts and Challenges

In recent years wrist problems have increasingly attracted the attention of orthopaedic and hand surgeons. Numerous advances have been achieved in functional anatomy, biomechanics, diagnosis, and treatment. There are, however, many controversial aspects to these problems. Many clinical and associated investigators from around the world have attempted to increase our knowledge of the wrist with enthusiastic and devoted studies. An international symposium was held at the Nagoya Castle Hotel, Nagoya, Japan from March 6th through March 8th, 1991 to further understanding and promote discussion of wrist problems among a representive international group. Approximately 300 participants from 16 different countries assembled for these discussions. This monograph consists of 40 selected papers based on presentations given at the international symposium. The topics are divided into six chapters: Functional Anatomy, Diagnosis and Basic Studies; Kienbock's Disease; Scaphoid Fracture, Distal Radius Fracture; Carpal Instability and Wrist Pain; and Wrist Arthroplasty. A number of unique observations as well as detailed surgical techniques were presented. These include topics such as the vascularity of the triangular fibrocartilage, radial wedge osteotomy and vascular bundle implantation into the lunate for Kienbock's disease, Herbert screw insertion though a minimal exposure for acute scaphoid fracture, and closing wedge oseotomy of the radial styloid for the early stage of the SLAC wrist. It is hoped that this monograph will be of benefit to surgeons interested in not only achieving more satisfactory clinical outcomes, but also in stimulating further contemplation and research about these difficult wrist problems.