Anatomical study of wrist joint innervation

Objective To study origins, diameters, amounts and pathways of nerves innervating wrist joint and provide anatomical evidence for treating wrist pain at dorsal surface by denervation. Methods 20 sides in 10 cases of upper extremity cadavers fixed by formalin were involved .Microscopic anatomy dissected posterior interosseal nerve, forearm lateral cutaneous nerve, superficial branch of radial nerve, wrist joint branch of wrist dorsal branch of ulnar nerve innervating wrist in the dorsal surface as well as anterior interosseal nerve, palmar cutaneous branch of median nerve, profound branch of ulnar nerve and its main trunk of wrist branch innervating wrist joint in palmar side . Results Wrist joint at dorsal part was principally innervated by posterior interosseal nerve .It was also innervated by forearm lateral cutaneous nerve, superficial branch of radial nerve, wrist dorsal branch of ulnar nerve. Wrist joint at palmar side was innervated by anterior interosseal nerve, palmar cutaneous branch of median nerve and profound branch of ulnar nerve.Conclusion Treatment of intractable pain of wrist joint by denervation is mainly indicated in wrist pain at dorsal side.