Computer-Aided Assessment of Three-Dimensional Standard Bone Morphology of the Distal Radius

Abstract

The present study attempted to define the three-dimensional (3D) locations of reference points and standard measures of the distal radius of a normal wrist joint. One hundred wrists from 50 males and 50 females who matched the age distribution (19–95 years old, mean: 56.0 years old) were evaluated. Computed tomography (CT) images of normal wrist joints acquired for comparison with the affected side were used. The absence of a previous history and complaints in the unaffected wrist was confirmed in an interview and with medical records. Three-dimensional images of the distal radius were reconstructed using the data obtained from CT scans. The site at which the major axis of the radial diaphysis contacted the distal radius joint surface was defined as the origin. The 3D coordinates of reference points for the radial styloid process (1), sigmoid notch volar edge (2), and sigmoid notch dorsal edge (3) as well as the barycenter for the joint surface and joint surface area were evaluated. A slope of the line connecting coordinates 1–2 in the coronal plane was evaluated as the 3D radial inclination (3DRI) and that connecting coordinates 2–3 in the sagittal plane as the 3D palmar tilt (3DPT). Each measurement value was compared between males and females. The positions of each reference point from the origin were as follows: (1) 14.2 ± 1.3/12.6 ± 1.1 mm for the distal-palmar-radial position; (2) 19.3 ± 1.3/16.9 ± 1.3 mm for the proximal-palmar-ulnar position; (3) 15.6 ± 1.4/14.1 ± 0.9 mm for the proximal-dorsal-ulnar position; and (barycenter) 4.1 ± 0.7/3.7 ± 0.7 mm for the proximal-volar-ulnar position for males and females, respectively. The areas of the radius articular surface were 429.0 ± 67.9/347.6 ± 44.6 mm2 for males and females, respectively. The 3DRI and 3DPT were 24.2 ± 4.0/25.7 ± 3.1° and 10.9 ± 5.1/13.2 ± 4.4° for males and females, respectively. Significant differences were observed in all measurement values between males and females (p < 0.01). The reference points and measured values obtained in the present study will serve as criteria for identifying the dislocation direction and reduction conditions of distal radius fractures in 3D images.