Radiologic Evaluation of the Distal Radius Indices in Early And Late Childhood

Abstract

The osseous anatomy of the distal radius is well documented in adults. Three commonly discussed variables are the volar tilt (also known as palmar tilt or palmar inclination), radial inclination, and radial height. These values are not well defined in the growing skeleton. We studied the radiographic measurements of normal distal radius osseous anatomy in children and identified how these values change with age. 372 patients (215 males and 157 females) between the ages of 8 and 16 were included in the study. Normal values of volar tilt, radial inclination, and radial epiphyseal height were defined for each age group. Regression analysis showed that volar tilt increased significantly by increase in age (P <0.001). Radial inclination and radial epiphyseal height both showed significant increase with increase in age (P<0.001). This is the first study to define these radiographic values in children and their change with age.

Keywords: distal radius; epiphysis; radial inclination; volar tilt.

Conflict of interest statement

We have no conflicts of interest to disclose. This study was not funded.

Figures

Figure 1:. Measurement of volar tilt

Figure 2:. Measurement of radial inclination

Figure 3:

Measurement of radial epiphyseal height

Table 4:. Change in volar tilt in males and females based on chronological age (R: 0.4)

Table 5:. Change in radial inclination in males and females based on chronological age (R: 0.6)

Table 6:. Change in REH in males and females based on chronological age (R: 0.8), RH: Radial Epiphyseal Height