Home › Body Atlas › Joints › Radiocarpal Joint

Radiocarpal Joint

articulatio radiocarpalis

The radiocarpal joint is the primary wrist joint, formed between the distal radius and the proximal row of carpal bones. The scaphoid and lunate articulate primarily with the radius while the triquetrum articulates primarily with the triangular fibrocartilage complex. The two-row carpal mechanism, with the proximal row acting as an intercalated segment, amplifies wrist motion and distributes loads across the carpus.

Region: Hand & Wrist

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Wrist injuries are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries presenting to emergency departments, with distal radius fractures being the most frequent fracture in the upper limb. Scapholunate ligament tears produce dorsal wrist pain and instability confirmed by the Watson scaphoid shift test and widening of the scapholunate interval on grip radiographs. The TFCC at the ulnar side of the radiocarpal joint is injured in ulnar-sided wrist pain, particularly with forearm rotation.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Distal Radius Fracture

The most common upper limb fracture occurring from a fall on the outstretched hand, producing dorsal wrist deformity and pain requiring reduction and stabilisation, with surgical fixation for displaced or unstable fractures.

Scapholunate Dissociation

Scapholunate ligament disruption from wrist hyperextension producing dorsal wrist pain, positive Watson test, and the Terry Thomas sign gap between the scaphoid and lunate on grip radiographs.