Morphometric Analysis of Distal End of Dry Human Radius in Northern India and Its Clinical Implications in Relation to Wrist Joint and Inferior Radioulnar Joint Arthroplasty: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: The lower end of the radius is involved in the formation of the wrist joint and inferior radioulnar joint. Its morphometry is crucial for surgical procedures related to wrist arthroplasty. Aim: To measure the various morphometric parameters of the distal end of the radius and the distal articular surface of the radius. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India, from April 2023 to July 2023. The following parameters were measured: Length (LR) and Weight of Radius (WR), Length of Styloid Process (L-SP), Anteroposterior Length (APL-UN), Height (H-UN) and Depth (D-UN) of Ulnar Notch, Transverse Width (TW-DR), Oblique Width (OW-DR) and Anteroposterior Diameter (APD- DR) of the Distal Radius, Dorsal Tubercle Distance from the styloid process (DTD-SP) and from the Ulnar Notch (DTD-UN), Anteroposterior Length (APL-SF) and Transverse Length (TL- SF) of Scaphoid Facet, Anteroposterior Length (APL-LF) and Transverse Length (TL-LF) of Lunate Facet, Radial Inclination (RI) and Palmar Tilt (PT). Statistical analysis was performed using International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22.0. The values of the right and left sides were compared with a Student’s t-test. Results: Various morphometric parameters were measured on 80 dry adult radii (44 right and 36 left). The mean LR was 23.27±2 cm, WR was 39.24±9.84 gm, and L-SP was 10.9±2.40 mm. APL-UN, H-UN and D-UN were 14.29±1.80 mm, 7.75±2.07 mm and 1.68±0.63 mm, respectively. TW-DR, OW-DR and APD-DR of the distal end of the radius were 27.22±3.55 mm, 29.17±3.09 mm and 18.29±2.36 mm, respectively. The mean DTD-SP and DTD-UN were 20.66±2.40 mm and 16.29±2.53 mm, respectively. Mean values of the scaphoid facet and lunate facet were 11.75±1.44 mm (APL-SF), 15.16±2.165 mm (TL-SF), and 15.96±1.92 mm (APL-LF), 10.20±1.52 mm (TL-LF), respectively. The mean angles of RI and PT were 24.48±5.06˚ and 10.91±3.179˚, respectively. No significant difference was found between the right and left side values (p-value>0.05). Among the 80 radii, 43.8% had four grooves, 42.5% had three grooves, and 13.8% had only two grooves present on the dorsal surface of the lower end of the radius. Out of 262 observed grooves in 80 radii, 50 (19.09%) were vertical and 212 (80.91%) were oblique. The groove medial to the dorsal tubercle was oblique in 70 (87.5%) radii and vertical in 10 (12.5%) radii. A highly positive correlation was found between the oblique and transverse width of the distal radius (r-value=0.74 and p-value=0.01). Conclusion: The present study found no significant difference between the values of the right and left sides. The parameters identified may assist surgeons in selecting the appropriate size of the prosthesis or in corrective surgeries related to the lower end of the radius.