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. 2013 Nov;2(4):346-50.
doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1358614.

Distal radius attachments of the radiocarpal ligaments: an anatomical study

M A Zumstein  1 , A P Hasan  2 , D T McGuire  3 , Kevin Eng  3 , Gregory Ian Bain  4
Affiliations

Distal radius attachments of the radiocarpal ligaments: an anatomical study

M A Zumstein et al. J Wrist Surg. 2013 Nov.

Abstract

Background Understanding the anatomy of the ligaments of the distal radius aids in the surgical repair of ligamentous injuries and the prediction of intraarticular fracture patterns. Purposes (1) to measure the horizontal and vertical distances of the origins of the radiocarpal ligaments from the most ulnar corner of the sigmoid notch and the joint line, respectively; and (2) to express them as a percentile of the total width of the bony distal radius. Methods We dissected 8 cadaveric specimens and identified the dorsal radiocarpal, radioscaphocapitate, and the long and short radiolunate ligaments. Results The dorsal radiocarpal ligament attached from the 16th to the 52nd percentile of the radial width. The radioscaphocapitate ligament attached around the radial styloid from the 86th percentile volarly to the 87th percentile dorsally. The long radiolunate ligament attached from the 59th to the 85th percentile, and the short radiolunate ligament attached from the 14th to the 41st percentile. Discussion There was a positive correlation between the radial width and the horizontal distance of the ligaments from the sigmoid notch. These findings may aid individualized surgical repair or reconstruction adjusted to patient size and enable further standardized research on distal radial fractures and their relationship with radiocarpal ligaments.

Keywords: distal radius; morphology; wrist ligaments.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest None

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Afterthe sigmoid notch baseline was identified, radial width (W) was measured perpendicular to it, and depth (D) along the sigmoid notch baseline.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Parameters measured for each ligament, using DRC as an example. W: total width of distal radius. A: distance (in mm and as a percentile of W) from dorsal corner of sigmoid notch to ulnar border of ligament origin. B: distance (in mm and as a percentile of the W) from dorsal corner of sigmoid notch to radial border of ligament origin. C: distance (in mm) of ulnar border of ligament origin from articular surface. D: distance (in mm) of radial border of ligament origin from articular surface.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Mean radial horizontal width measured perpendicular to radial diaphysis.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Ligament origins expressed as percentiles of the total bony width of the radius.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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