This study assessed the epidemiology, treatment, disability and time off work due to carpal injuries in the Netherlands in the period from 1990 to 1993. Most injuries were scaphoid fractures and carpal instabilities were rare. The time off work was considerable (mean, 155 days; median, 105 days; range, 12-1708 days). Patients with non-scaphoid fractures had the shortest time off work, followed by those with scaphoid fractures; patients with carpal instabilities had the longest time off work. Despite the significant time off work, the prognosis for return to work was excellent.