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Intercarpal Joints (Individual)

articulationes intercarpales

The individual intercarpal joints between adjacent carpal bones are plane synovial joints linked by interosseous, volar, and dorsal ligaments. They contribute collectively to wrist motion but are individually immobile except for the midcarpal joint. Arthrosis of individual intercarpal joints from SLAC or SNAC wrist produces specific patterns of degeneration that guide the choice of partial carpal fusion.

Anatomical Data

Structure

Bones	All proximal carpal bones (scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform) and distal carpal bones (trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate) interact through paired intercarpal articulations
Ligaments	Dorsal and volar intercarpal ligaments at each intercarpal articulation Interosseous intercarpal ligaments (SLIL, LTIL being the most important)

Biomechanics

Function & Actions

Movements	Each joint contributes a small amount to overall wrist motion Collectively the proximal and distal rows articulate through the midcarpal joint (the most important intercarpal articulation)

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Partial carpal fusions (four-corner fusion: capitate-hamate-lunate-triquetrum with scaphoid excision; scaphoid-trapezium-trapezoid fusion for SNAC) selectively arthrodese degenerate intercarpal joints while preserving motion at remaining joints.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

SLAC Wrist Intercarpal Arthrosis

Progressive intercarpal joint degeneration in the radial column from scapholunate instability managed with four-corner fusion and scaphoid excision.

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