Investigation of radiolunate relations in normal and fractured wrists

Abstract

As the distal radius fracture is one of the most commonly encountered upper limb injuries, the aim of this study was to provide a quick and easy method to aid in the assessment of fractured wrists, both pre- and post-fixation, by utilising the relationship of the radial shaft and the lunate. A retrospective analysis on 100 consecutive patients with normal wrist radiographs was performed. The results demonstrated that the variations of radiolunate anatomy followed a normal distribution. The normal anatomical relationship was then described. A second part to the study consisted of reviewing our method of radiocarpal analysis on a cohort of patients who had sustained a distal radius fracture. Carpal alignment pre- and post-fixation was measured, with the results demonstrating that by using this assessment method, it was possible with a quick glance of the radiograph, to determine whether satisfactory correction of the fracture had been achieved.