Evaluating Distal Radius Radiological Indices as Scaphoid Fracture Risk Factors

Scaphoid fracture is the most common wrist injury with a high rate of misdiagnosis and subsequent complications. As the morphology of the distal radius affects the load transmission through the carpal bones, radiographic wrist indices may help prevent missing occult fractures.

The current retrospective case-control study compared the distal radius radiographic indices of patients with a scaphoid fracture with a control group.

Wrist X-rays of 129 patients with scaphoid fractures (case group) and the contralateral uninjured side of 101 patients with distal radius fractures (control group) were assessed by two orthopedic surgeons. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were evaluated to measure the radial height (RH), radial inclination (RI), ulnar variance (UV), and volar tilt (VT).

The student t-test was used to compare the distal radius radiographic indices between the two groups. The average RI was 27.14 in the scaphoid fracture group and 24.35 in the control group (P<0.05). Mean VT, RH, and UV of the case group were, 12.32, 15.01, and - 0.73, respectively; this is while in the control group, the above measures were 10.76, 13.52, and - 0.11, respectively (P<0.05).

High values of RH, RI, and VT, and negative amount of UV are significantly correlated with scaphoid fracture after a Fall Onto an Outstretched Hand (FOOSH) injury.