[Long-term spontaneous course of carpal instability]. / Langzeit-Spontanverläufe bei karpalen Instabilitäten.

The authors report on the natural history of 26 cases of carpal instabilities observed over a period of 25 to 74 months. Apart from the subjective criterion pain, the parameters range of motion and grip strength have been documented in the course of their development. In addition, radiographic findings have been evaluated. We confirm that carpal instabilities can lead to degenerative arthrosis. The expectation that there would be a progressive deviation from the norm of the angles between radius, scaphoid, lunate, and capitate bones measured in lateral radiographs did not prove to be true.