A bone graft, taken from the medial part of the radial epiphysis can be pedicled on the radial branch of the volar carpal arch, freed back to its origin. The graft can be transferred into the proximal row of the carpus to fill up a loss of bony substance or to provide vascularised bone. This permits the treatment of chronic pseud-arthrosis of the scaphoid where a Matti-Russe operation has failed. In the first three cases operated upon, favourable results have been obtained.

22 fresh cadaver specimens have been examined to study the anatomy, histology and biomechanical features of the ligaments of the proximal and distal poles of the scaphoid. The biomechanical study was carried out by two methods: an analytical one on an Instron machine, and a global one in situ. The different experiments show the predominant rôle of the distal ligamentous complex of the scaphoid over the scapho-lunate ligament. This contrasts with the generally accepted concept and modifies the management of lateral carpal instability.

Every fibrous structure of ten wrists of fresh cadavers has been the object of an elastometric study. The opposite wrists have been studied surgically and then histologically with the optical microscope. Comparison between the two shows a close relationship between the mechanical features and the morphology of the bundles, which proved also to be perfectly measurable. It also displays the great differences between ligaments and tendons. Histological study of the tendons and ligaments of four other wrists subjected to manoeuvres of axial loading, rupture and bending, reinforces these statements. The therapeutic consequences are considered.

The authors have injected the arteries and dissected 79 wrists. They propose a systematization of the vascular supply of the carpus, based on the major longitudinal and transverses axes; on the areas of arterial convergence and divergence, at the origin of 2 systems: the deep system (SAPRUC) is a vestige of the foetal morphology; it is periostal and sub-capsular. The superficial system (SASRUC) is predominant; it is constituted by the proximal and distal extracapsular pedicles.

A bone graft, taken from the medial part of the radial epiphysis can be pedicled on the radial branch of the volar carpal arch, freed back to its origin. The graft can be transferred into the proximal row of the carpus to fill up a loss of bony substance or to provide vascularised bone. This permits the treatment of chronic pseud-arthrosis of the scaphoid where a Matti-Russe operation has failed. In the first three cases operated upon, favourable results have been obtained.