Skeletal Radiology

, Volume 23, Issue 5, pp 369–372 | Cite as

Abnormal geometry of the distal radioulnar joint: MR findings

  • Ronald B. Staron
  • Frieda Feldman
  • Nogah Haramati
  • Rolando D. Singson
  • Melvin Rosenwasser
  • Peter D. Esser
Articles

Abstract

Previously developed criteria of normal distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) axial geometry were applied to routine magnetic resonance (MR) images of 50 wrists. All wrists lacked clinically evident DRUJ instability. An attempt to apply the three geometric criteria to seven of the cases was not possible, since the prescribed landmarks were not visible. The remaining 43 cases were retrospectively divided into a symptomatic group (25 wrists), with clinical abnormalities referable to the ulnar side of the wrist, and an asymptomatic group (18 wrists), with no such abnormalities. Abnormal DRUJ geometry was found in 12 symptomatic and 2 asymptomatic wrists. This difference between the groups is significant (p=0.02), suggesting that many symptomatic wrists exhibit different DRUJ geometry than is found in most asymptomatic wrists.

Key words

Distal radioulnar joint Radioulnar ligaments Magnetic resonance imaging Ulnar wrist pain Wrist injury 

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. 1.
    Mino DE, Palmer AK, Levinsohn EM. The role of radiography and computerized tomography in the diagnosis of subluxation and dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint. J Hand Surg [Am] 1983; 8: 23–31.Google Scholar
  2. 2.
    Mino DE, Palmer AK, Levinsohn EM. Radiography and computerized tomography in the diagnosis of incongruity of the distal radio-ulnar joint. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 1985; 67: 247–252.Google Scholar
  3. 3.
    Wechsler RJ, Wehbe MA, Rifkin MD, Edeiken J, Branch HM. Computed tomography diagnosis of distal radioulnar subluxation. Skeletal Radiol 1987; 16: 1–5.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  4. 4.
    Ekenstam F. Anatomy of the distal radioulnar joint. Clin Orthop 1992; 275: 14–18.Google Scholar
  5. 5.
    Ekenstam F, Hagert CG. Anatomical studies on the geometry and stability of the distal radio-ulnar joint. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg 1985; 19: 17–25.Google Scholar
  6. 6.
    Linscheid RL. Biomechanics of the distal radioulnar joint. Clin Orthop 1992; 275: 46–55.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  7. 7.
    Bowers WH. Surgical procedures for the distal radioulnar joint. In: Lichtman DM (ed) The wrist and its disorders. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1988: 232–243.Google Scholar
  8. 8.
    Darrow JC, Linscheid RL, Dobyns JH, Mann JM, Wood MB, Beckenbaugh RD. Distal ulnar recession for disorders of the distal radioulnar joint. J Hand Surg [Am] 1985; 10: 482–491.Google Scholar
  9. 9.
    Weber ER. Wrist mechanics and its association with ligamentous instability. In: Lichtman DM (ed) The wrist and its disorders. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1988: 41–52.Google Scholar
  10. 10.
    Fleiss JL. Statistical methods for rates and proportions. New York: Wiley, 1981.Google Scholar
  11. 11.
    Mayfield JK. Pathogenesis of wrist ligament instability. In: Lichtman DM (ed) The wrist and its disorders. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1988: 53–73.Google Scholar
  12. 12.
    Hui FC, Linscheid RL. Ulnotriquetral augmentation tenodesis: a reconstructive procedure for dorsal subluxation of the distal radioulnar joint. J Hand Surg 1982; 7: 230–236.Google Scholar
  13. 13.
    Reicher MA, Kellerhouse LE. Normal wrist anatomy, biomechanics, basic imaging protocol, and normal multiplanar MRI of the wrist. In: Reicher MA, Kellerhouse LE (eds) MRI of the wrist and hand. New York: Raven Press, 1990: 17–48.Google Scholar
  14. 14.
    Reicher MA, Kellerhouse LE. The distal radioulnar joint. In: Reicher MA, Kellerhouse LE (eds) MRI of the wrist and hand. New York: Raven Press, 1990: 87–106.Google Scholar
  15. 15.
    Olerud C, Kongsholm J, Thuomas KA. The congruence of the distal radioulnar joint: a magnetic resonance imaging study. Acta Orthop Scand 1988; 59: 183–185.PubMedGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© International Skeletal Society 1994

Authors and Affiliations

  • Ronald B. Staron
    • 1
  • Frieda Feldman
    • 1
  • Nogah Haramati
    • 2
  • Rolando D. Singson
    • 3
  • Melvin Rosenwasser
    • 4
  • Peter D. Esser
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of RadiologyColumbia-Presbyterian Medical CenterNew YorkUSA
  2. 2.Unified Department of RadiologyAlbert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical CenterBronxUSA
  3. 3.Department of Radiology, Columbia College of Physicians and SurgeonsSt. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital CenterNew YorkUSA
  4. 4.Department of Orthopedic SurgeryColumbia-Presbyterian Medical CenterNew YorkUSA

Personalised recommendations