Definition and Classification of Carpal Instability

Although the study of the different types of carpal instability goes back to 1905 with Destot’s [1] publication, the word “instability” itself was first used in 1967 [2]. In 1972, Linscheid et al. came up with the first classification of the different types of wrist instability, among which are the notions of dorsal flexion and palmar flexion instability [3]. But the definition, in order to be complete, had to be revised several times. The classification of these lesions requires the analysis of many criteria. Thanks to these works of clarification and lesional description, the practitioner now has at his disposal a tool enabling a theoretical analysis of the situation. It is all about a language in the process of becoming adopted by all which will enable one to better compare populations and treatments. Of course, for each clinical case, one still has to put to good use the diagnostic tools necessary to answer in the best way possible the different questions brought to light by this classifications.