Effect of malunited fractured distal end of radius on the morphometric parameters of distal radioulnar joint

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Malunion is the most frequent complication of fracture distal radius. Fracture malunion has been shown to associate with altered morphometric anatomy of distal radioulnar joint. Objective: This study aims to identify normal radiographic morphometry reference values and variations according to age and sex of distal radioulnar joint. This study was also carried out to determine the radiological correlation between normal and malunited distal radius in patient with unilateral malunited fracture to find out the effect of malunited fractured distal end of radius on the morphometric parameters of distal radioulnar joint. Materials and Methods: After twelve weeks of injury x-ray of injured wrist was compared with the radiograph of the contra lateral normal wrist for the difference in radial length, radial inclination, ulnar variance and palmar tilt. Results: Results of this study showed that there were signiicant difference in distal radius parameters between genders for both groups except for the difference in palmer tilt i.e. since value of P< 0.0001 so there is significant difference between two group 1% level of significant suggesting that with 99% confidence, there is significant difference between mean of normal male and female right wrist parameters of both age group except for palmer tilt. Similarly there were variations in all parameter measurements for those x-ray films showing severe malunion and signiicant differences were noted for all parameters distal radius between normal and malunited wrist in both age groups i.e. since value of P< 0.0001 so there is significant difference between two group 1% level of signiicant suggesting that with 99% conidence, there is signiicant difference for all parameters between mean of normal and malunion group. Conclusion: These results can be used in treatment of the malunited distal radius for correction of deformity at the wrist and achieving the best possible anatomical reduction in the young active patient and at minimizing the intervention in the low demand elderly patient with multiple comorbidities. These data also can be used for clinical research in the designing of wrist implants.