Morphometric Study of Proximal and Distal End of Radius and its Clinical Significance

Abstract

Introduction: Radius is the bone of the forearm that is present on the lateral side. The proximal and distal end of radius are commonly susceptible to trauma, about 2-6% of fractures occur in the proximal end and neck of radius and the distal end of fracture is about 8-20% which is more commonly seen in geriatric population. If the fracture is severe then the person should undergo radial head prosthesis. Aim: To determine the morphometric parameters of proximal and distal end of radius and its clinical significance. Materials and Methods: The present observational study was conducted at Saveetha Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India between February 2017 to August 2017. The morphometric parameters of proximal and distal end of radius were measured and observed using digital vernier caliper, divider, normal ruler, inch tape and inelastic thread. The mean and the standard deviation of the morphometric parameters were assessed. Results: The mean length of radius bone in medial side (22.7 cm) and lateral side (23.7 cm), circumference of the head (6.3 cm), length of the head from medial side (0.6 cm) and lateral side (0.32 cm), distance between the radial head and the radial tuberosity (0.75 cm), length of the radial tuberosity (3.36 cm), circumference of the radial neck (4.64 cm). The mean width of the ulnar notch (1.41 cm), length of the ulnar notch from anterior aspect (0.30 cm) and posterior aspect (0.62 cm), length of the styloid process (1.01 cm), circumference of the distal end of the bone (8.40 cm), circumference of the distal end of the shaft (5.63 cm), scaphoid and lunate fossa from anterior (2.79 cm), posterior (2.50 cm), and base (1.32 cm). Conclusion: The length of the radius on the medial and lateral aspect, circumference of radius head, diameter of the radius, Length of the radial head on the medial and lateral aspect, distance between the radial head and the radial tuberosity, circumference of the radial neck, length of the radial tuberosity, length of styloid process, length of ulnar notch on the anterior and posterior aspect, width of the ulnar notch, inferior articular facet of radius in anterior, and posterior aspect the following parameters will be useful for orthopaedic surgeons in case of severe fracture and oncologist in case of tumour in distal end for the purpose of making prosthesis for the radial head and distal end of radius and for reconstruction of bicipital tendon.

Keywords

• bicipital tendon
• geriatric
• radial prosthesis
• radial tuberosity