Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2022; 26(03): 295-313
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1743538
Review Article

Posttreatment Imaging of the Wrist and Hand: Update 2022

Mihra S. Taljanovic
1   Department of Medical Imaging, The University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
2   Department of Radiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
,
Imran M. Omar
3   Department of Radiology, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois
,
Jennifer S. Weaver
2   Department of Radiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
,
Jennifer L. Becker
1   Department of Medical Imaging, The University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
,
Deana M. Mercer
4   Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
,
Giles W. Becker
5   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Common indications for surgical procedures of the wrist and hand include acute fractures or fracture-dislocations; nonunited fractures; posttraumatic, degenerative, and inflammatory arthritides and tendinopathies; injuries to tendons, ligaments, and the triangular fibrocartilage complex; and entrapment neuropathies. Soft tissue or osseous infections or masses may also need surgical treatment. Several of these procedures require surgical hardware placement, and most entail clinical follow-up with periodic imaging. Radiography should be the first imaging modality in the evaluation of the postoperative wrist and hand. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, diagnostic ultrasonography, and occasionally nuclear medicine studies may be performed to diagnose or better characterize suspected postoperative complications. To provide adequate evaluation of postoperative imaging of the wrist and hand, the interpreting radiologist must be familiar with the basic principles of these surgical procedures and both the imaging appearance of normal postoperative findings as well as the potential complications.



Publication History

Article published online:
02 June 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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