Wrist Pathology - Traumatic

The human wrist is often regarded as one of the most complex joints in the human body. However, its role as one of the main functional joints used in our activities of daily living makes it especially susceptible to traumatic injuries. The last two decades have brought about remarkable advancements in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the wrist. Our imaging capabilities today allow us to finely depict smaller and subtler osseous, soft tissue, and cartilaginous detail, and most importantly to detect pathology in a non-invasive fashion. As a result, MR imaging of the wrist has become essential in arriving at accurate diagnoses and facilitating subsequent treatment. In this chapter, we will review common traumatic injuries to the wrist and their characteristic appearance on MR imaging in routine practice.