Radiographic observation of the scaphoid
shift test
Min Jong Park
From Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
he movements of the carpal bones during the
scaphoid shift test were evaluated radiographically
in 60 wrists. The clinical results were graded according
to the degree of subluxation of the scaphoid and pain on
the dorsum of the wrist. Lateral radiographs at rest and
under stress were taken and the relative movements of
the scaphoid with respect to the radius and lunate, and
the rotation of the scaphoid and lunate were calculated.
Dorsal displacement of the scaphoid with respect to
the radius was significantly associated with the clinical
grade of subluxation. There was correlation between the
amount of pain and the displacement of the scaphoid
from the lunate, but not from the radius. The wrists with
a painful shift test had greater relative displacement of
the scaphoid from the lunate than those with painless
subluxation.
These observations support the view that pain
associated with subluxation of the scaphoid during the
shift test is a significant finding, and that radiographic
analysis of the test may confirm a positive result when
dynamic scaphoid instability is suspected.
T
J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 2003;85-B:358-62.
Received 22 July 2002; Accepted 11 September 2002
The scaphoid shift test is useful for the evaluation of the stability of the scaphoid in the injured wrist.1-5 It involves
radial deviation of the wrist with the examiner’s thumb
opposing the normal volar rotation of the distal scaphoid,
causing the scaphoid to shift dorsally.6 Although this provocative manoeuvre is particularly helpful in establishing
the diagnosis of dynamic instability of the scaphoid, the
pathomechanics of a positive scaphoid shift are poorly
M. J. Park, MD, Associate Professor
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Samsung Medical Centre, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 50 Ilwon-dong, Kangnam-ku, Seoul,
Korea 135-710.
©2003 British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery
doi.10.1302/0301-620X.85B3.13699 $2.00
358
understood. The test does not offer a simple positive or negative result, but rather a variety of findings. Many authors
have stressed that it is subjective and requires considerable
experience to correlate the degree of mobility of the
scaphoid with pathological significance.2,6,7 It has also been
recorded that a proportion of the normal population has a
positive scaphoid shift without symptoms or a history of
trauma to the wrist.8,9
There is little information about the exact behaviour of
the carpal bones during the test. Wolfe, Gupta and Crisco10
observed the movements of the carpal bones fluoroscopically and related the results to the clinical findings in uninjured normal subjects. The movements have, however, not
been described in patients with pathological conditions of
the wrist.
Our aim was to observe carpal movement radiographically during the scaphoid shift test in patients with symptoms in the wrist.
Patients and Methods
We studied 60 patients with pain in the wrist. Those with a
fracture or recent injury were not included. There were 32
men and 28 women with a mean age of 37.5 years (22 to
49). Posteroanterior and true lateral radiographs of the wrist
were taken. No wrist had radiographic evidence of static
scapholunate instability, as shown by an increase in the
scapholunate angle of >70˚ on the lateral radiograph or an
increase in the scapholunate gap of >3 mm on the posteroanterior film. Neither was there any evidence of carpal
lesions or degenerative changes in the wrist.
The scaphoid shift test was performed as described by
Watson et al6 on each wrist and the amount of shift and any
clunk or pain which was induced was recorded. The test was
graded according to the degree of subluxation of the
scaphoid and to the pain felt on the dorsum of the wrist
during the test. With regard to the mobility of the scaphoid,
grade 0 indicated no palpable subluxation, grade 1+ mild
displacement of the scaphoid, but without definite subluxation and grade 2+ true subluxation from the scaphoid fossa,
with a palpable clunk as it reduced on release of force to the
scaphoid tubercle. Dorsal pain was graded as follows: grade
0 no pain, grade 1+ mild pain, and grade 2+ significant pain
on the dorsum as the scaphoid was dorsally stressed.
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RADIOGRAPHIC OBSERVATION OF THE SCAPHOID SHIFT TEST
Table I. Displacement indices (mean ± SD) of the scaphoid compared
with the grades of clinical subluxation during the scaphoid shift test
Pretest scaphoid images
A
359
LL
Grade
SLDI (%)
SRDI (%)
0 (n = 16)
1+ (n = 28)
2+ (n = 16)
3.68 ± 3.2
8.59 ± 5.8*
18.83 ± 13.6*
6.12 ± 4.8*
15.47 ± 4.9*
25.09 ± 6.0*
* significant difference between the grades (p < 0.05)
B
RL
Loaded scaphoid images
Lunate
Radius
a
b
Fig. 1
Diagram showing the measurements of the scaphoid displacement during
the scaphoid shift test with respect to a) the radius and b) the lunate. In a) A/
RL x 100% determines the SRDI and in b) B/LL x 100% the SLDI when the
rest and loaded images are overlapped by matching the contours of a) the radius and b) the lunate. ‘A’ and ‘B’ are the distances between the proximal
point of pre-test and loaded scaphoid images. ‘RL’ is the radial length, and
‘LL’ the lunate length. These are defined as the distance between the vertices
of the dorsal and volar lips of a) the distal radius and b) the lunate.
The test was repeated under fluoroscopy. An imageintensifier unit (FluoroScan Imaging Systems, Northbrook,
Illinois) with an image printing system was used to record
the images. The intensifier was positioned to give a lateral
view of the wrist without interfering with the examination.
Starting from the position of ulnar deviation, a firm and constant force was delivered to the tubercle of the scaphoid,
while the wrist moved from ulnar deviation to neutral.
During the procedure, the wrist was maintained in neutral
flexion/extension. Images which represented both the resting state and the loaded state were selected to evaluate
movement of the bones.
As the first step in calculating the displacement of the
scaphoid when responding to dorsal stress, the bony contours of the scaphoid, lunate and distal radius were outlined
using a fine marker on both the resting and loaded images.
The images were scanned (ScanJet 5370C; Hewlett-Packard
Company, Palo Alto, California) and saved for analysis. By
comparing different carpal positions between the resting
and loaded images, the following indices were defined and
calculated (Fig 1).
The scaphoid-radius displacement index (SRDI). This represents the amount of displacement of the scaphoid with reference to the radius. To calculate the displacement between
the resting and loaded images, the most proximal point of
the scaphoid on a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
of the radius was defined. Both scanned images were overlapped by matching the contours of the radius using PhotoShop 6.0 software (Adobe Systems Incorporated, San
Jose, California). The displacement of the scaphoid was
measured. In order to compensate for the different sizes of
the carpal bones between individuals, the displacement was
expressed as a percentage of the radial length which was
VOL. 85-B, No. 3, APRIL 2003
Table II. Displacement indices (mean ± SD) of the scaphoid compared
with the grades of dorsal pain during the scaphoid shift test
Grade
SLDI (%)
SRDI (%)
0 (n = 41)
1+ (n = 12)
2+ (n = 7)
4.82 ± 3.3*
16.07 ± 6.9*
30.03 ± 9.0*
13.21 ± 8.0
16.74 ± 6.2*
27.15 ± 6.5*
*significant difference between the grades (p < 0.05)
defined as the distance between the vertices of the dorsal
and volar lips of the distal radius.
The scaphoid-lunate displacement index (SLDI). This represents the amount of displacement of the scaphoid with reference to the lunate. The most proximal point of the scaphoid
was marked on a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
of the lunate, and both images were overlapped by matching
the contours of the lunate. The index was defined as the
amount of displacement related to the length of the lunate,
expressed as a percentage.
The rotational movements of the scaphoid and lunate
which occurred during the test were calculated by measuring the changes in the radioscaphoid and radiolunate angles.
They were defined as positive if the carpal bones were
extended in response to the applied load and as negative if
they were flexed.
The displacement indices and rotational movements
were compared with the results of the clinical scaphoid shift
test (grade 0, 1+, and 2+).
Statistical analysis. Comparisons of these parameters
among different clinical grades were performed using a
non-repeated one-way ANOVA and least significance difference as a post-hoc test. Pearson’s correlation test was performed to determine the relationship between the rotational
movements of the carpal bones and the displacement indices. Significance was determined when p < 0.05.
Results
Sixteen wrists had a clinical scaphoid shift of grade 0, 28 of
grade 1+, and 16 of grade 2+. There were 41 wrists with
pain of grade 0, 12 with grade 1+ and seven with grade 2+.
The radiological indices showed substantial variations. The
SRDI varied from 0% to 36.5%, and SLDI from 0% to
42.1%.
When the radiological indices of scaphoid displacement
were compared among different grades of clinical subluxation, the SRDI increased significantly as the grade of sub-
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MIN JONG PARK
Fig. 2a
Fig. 2b
Lateral radiographs a) at rest and b) in the loaded state in a subject with painless scaphoid subluxation during the
scaphoid shift test. The scaphoid is subluxed onto the dorsal lip of the radius responding to the dorsal stress while
the scaphoid displacement with respect to the lunate is not remarkable. The arrow indicates the stress applied in
the dorsal direction during the shift test.
Table III. Rotation (mean ± SD) of the scaphoid and
lunate during the scaphoid shift test
Grades
Subluxation
0
1+
2+
Dorsal pain
0
1+
2+
Scaphoid
(degrees)*
Lunate
(degrees)*
4.6 ± 8.3
4.2 ± 8.7
1.3 ± 7.8
4.2 ± 4.1
6.1 ± 5.6
5.7 ± 5.2
3.8 ± 7.9
4.5 ± 9.3
0.3 ± 10.1
4.7 ± 4.3
6.9 ± 6.6
7.6 ± 6.4
*positive value indicates extended position responding to
the load
luxation increased. The wrists with grade 2+ subluxation
had significantly greater SLDI than those with grade 0 or
1+, but there was no significant difference in the SLDI
between grade 0 and 1+ subluxation (Table I). Comparisons of the indices between different grades of pain showed
a statistically significant difference in SLDI. There was a
significant difference in SRDI between the wrists with
grade 2+ and those with grade 0 or 1+, but not between
those with grade 0 and 1+ (Table II). These findings indicate that clinical scaphoid shift correlates well with the
amount of dorsal displacement of the scaphoid with respect
to the radius, while the degree of pain correlates well with
the amount of displacement with respect to the lunate.
Analysis of the rotation revealed that the scaphoid either
extended or flexed, while the lunate tended to extend in
response to the scaphoid shift test. There was, however, no
significant relationship between carpal rotation and the
results of clinical findings (Table III).
In order to evaluate the significance of pain evoked by
the test, 19 wrists which showed grade 1+ or 2+ pain were
compared with 25 which demonstrated painless grade 1+ or
2+ shifts. The SLDI in wrists with pain during the test
(mean 21.22%, SD 10.2) was significantly greater than that
of the wrists with a painless shift (mean 5.55%, SD 3.2),
while the SRDI showed no significant difference between
the two groups (mean 20.58%, SD 8.0 v mean 17.75%, SD
6.1).
A correlation test comparing rotation of the scaphoid and
lunate to two displacement indices of the scaphoid showed
no statistically significant relationship.
Discussion
Dynamic instability of the scaphoid is currently diagnosed
from the history and the clinical signs of abnormal carpal
movement. Imaging modalities, such as stress views, MRI,
or cinéradiography, rarely help to confirm the diagnosis.11
The scaphoid shift test is difficult to perform and experience
is necessary to interpret the findings. Watson et al6 emphasised that it is not so much a test as a provocative manoeuvre. They observed that patients’ responses varied
markedly and that extremes of mobility should not in themselves be considered to be abnormal. Several studies have
shown that there is a spectrum of mobility of the scaphoid
during the test and up to one-third of an uninjured population shows a painless positive scaphoid shift.8,9 Easterling
and Wolfe8 showed a prevalence of 32% of a painless
scaphoid shift in the uninjured population and a high correlation between an asymptomatic subluxable scaphoid and
generalised ligamentous laxity.
The exact behaviour of the carpal bones during the test
remains unclear because the appropriate kinematic studies
have not been performed. Wolfe et al10 examined 25 uninjured subjects clinically and fluoroscopically, but their
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RADIOGRAPHIC OBSERVATION OF THE SCAPHOID SHIFT TEST
Fig. 3a
361
Fig. 3b
Lateral radiographs a) at rest and b) in the loaded state in a subject with a surgically confirmed scapholunate dissociation. The scaphoid shift test produced pain associated with the scaphoid subluxation. Responding to the dorsal stress, the scaphoid is subluxed with respect to the lunate as well as to the radius. The arrow indicates the stress
applied in the dorsal direction during the shift test.
study considered only normal subjects and the absolute
movement of the scaphoid. We observed patients with various conditions of the wrist, including dynamic instability of
the scaphoid, and analysed the movement of the scaphoid
relative to both the radius and the lunate. Calculation of the
movement of the scaphoid relative to the radius (SRDI) represents the amount of shift, but does not necessarily reflect
the pathological ligamentous changes which are associated
with instability of the scaphoid. It can be analysed by calculating the movement of the scaphoid relative to the lunate
(SLDI) rather than the absolute amount of dorsal shift.
It has been stressed that the scaphoid shift test should be
considered to be positive only when subluxation of the
scaphoid is accompanied by pain which is referred to the
dorsum of the wrist.1,3-6 Our study supports the current
interpretation of this test by comparing the radiographic
observation of carpal behaviour with the clinical results.
The wrists with a painful shift showed greater displacement
of the scaphoid with respect to the lunate than those with
painless shift. The grades of pain during the test were also
significantly related to the degree of scaphoid-lunate displacement (Figs 2 and 3).
A limitation of our study may be the difficulty in calculating the true displacement between the carpal bones on
radiographs. It is well known that carpal movements are
three-dimensional and very complex.12,13 However, our
study was based on a two-dimensional static analysis. There
may be considerable axial rotation of the scaphoid during
scaphoid shift, which cannot be determined by this twodimensional model. We considered displacement and rotation in the sagittal plane because the scaphoid shift test
involves simple dorsal stress of the scaphoid. We believe
that this two-dimensional method of calculating the relative
amount of carpal displacement is appropriate and reliable.
VOL. 85-B, No. 3, APRIL 2003
Wolfe et al10 noted an interesting relationship between
the dorsal displacement and rotation of each carpal bone in
response to the scaphoid shift test. Dorsal displacement of a
carpal bone was associated with flexion, while bones which
did not shift dorsally extended. We attempted to find a correlation between the rotation and displacement of carpal
bones in order to confirm their findings, but failed to demonstrate such a relationship with the numbers available in
our study. We have shown that observation of the rotational
behaviour of carpal bones does not aid the assessment of
scaphoid stability.
There is much individual variation of ligamentous laxity
in normal wrists.14-16 Positive scaphoid shift in an asymptomatic wrist is related to ligamentous laxity and not to occult
carpal injury. Our study confirmed that pain associated with
subluxation of the scaphoid during the test is a significant
finding in diagnosing dynamic scaphoid instability. Asymmetry between the two sides is also a highly suspicious finding,6 although we did not include bilateral comparison in
our study. Our data showed that radiographic observation
during the scaphoid shift test with comparison between the
two sides can provide valuable information for objective
evaluation of stability of the scaphoid.
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
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