Anatomical study of the pisotriquetral joint: ligament anatomy and cartilaginous changes

Eighty embalmed cadavers wrists [55 male and 25 female; 40 right and 40 left; ages ranged from 36 to 93 years (average 72.5 years) ] were dissected to assess the anatomy of the pisotriquetral joint and the location of degenerative changes. The patterns of degenerative changes were classified into five types. Arthritis of the pisiform was present in 74% of the wrists and on the triquetrum in 75 % of the wrists. Degenerative changes were most commonly of the type 2 pattern (Peripheral; 38.75 %) with change located most commonly in the distal, distal radial, and radial aspects of the pisiform and triquetrum. The ligamentous anatomy was categorized into three different types. The ligamentous anatomy was most commonly of the Type A(pisohamate and pisometacarpal ligaments inserted on the palmar distal aspect of the pisiform; 52.5%).