Radiographic analysis of anatomic risk factors for scapholunate dissociation.


Published online: Jun 27 2003

Thienpont E, Mulier T, De Smet L.

University Hospital Pellenberg, Heilig Hart Kliniek, Leuven, Belgium.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify anatomic risk factors for scapholunate dissociation. On a PA view of the wrist, in zero position, the scaphoid and lunate diameter and height, lunate tilting angle, lunate uncovering index, lunate fossa inclination, radial inclination and ulnar variance were measured; on a lateral view the scapholunate angle and palmar tilting angle were measured. In a control group (N = 126) first left to right were compared which showed low correlations for radial inclination (r = 0.26), palmar tilt (r = 0.60) and ulnar variance (r = 0.68). These parameters were then measured on the affected hand in the study group, since they are not influenced by the dissociation, and no arthritic changes were seen. A statistically significant difference was found for a low lunate fossa inclination (p = 0.0001) and a low radial inclination (p = 0.0002). These factors may predispose to scapholunate dissociation.