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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2754-0082
Review Article

Traumatic and Overuse Wrist Injuries: Osseous and Tendon Pathologies

Authors

  • Vito Chianca 

    1   Clinica di Radiologia, EOC IIMSI, Lugano, Switzerland
    2   Ospedale Evangelico Betania, Napoli, Italy

  • Marco Curti

    1   Clinica di Radiologia, EOC IIMSI, Lugano, Switzerland

  • Maria Del Grande

    3   Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland

  • Daniele Tosi

    4   Hand Surgery Department, EOC, Lugano, Switzerland

  • Filippo Del Grande

    1   Clinica di Radiologia, EOC IIMSI, Lugano, Switzerland
    5   Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
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Abstract

Traumatic and overuse injuries of bones and tendons of the wrist represent a significant proportion of the musculoskeletal disorders encountered in both athletic and occupational settings. Conventional radiography remains the first-line imaging modality for osseous trauma, but it can miss up to a third of scaphoid and hamate fractures. Computed tomography is superior for characterizing occult or nondisplaced fractures. Magnetic resonance imaging provides important information on occult fractures, overuse injuries of osseous structures, and tendinous abnormalities.

A comprehensive understanding of wrist injuries is essential to ensure accurate and timely diagnosis, in turn facilitating the selection of appropriate patient-specific treatment strategies. By minimizing diagnostic delays, clinicians can reduce the risk of adverse sequelae such as chronic instability, degenerative joint changes, and functional impairment. The implementation of optimized diagnostic and therapeutic pathways not only lessens the long-term burden of disability for patients, but it also plays a crucial role in enabling a safe and efficient return to both occupational duties and sporting activities.

Keywords

overuse - tenosynovitis - trauma - sports imaging - wrist


Publication History

Received: 16 October 2025

Accepted: 21 November 2025

Article published online:
02 February 2026

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