Wrist Measurements (Distal Radius / Ulnar Variance / Scapholunate Angle) — free guideline decision tool
Radial inclination, radial height, volar tilt, articular step-off, ulnar variance, scapholunate angle and gap: acceptability of fracture reduction and carpal instability. Includes how to measure and what each value means. Instant, browser-side.
Open guideline tool →Guideline-based
Implements the decision logic from published clinical guidelines.
Runs in your browser
No installation. Enter the patient's values and get a guideline recommendation instantly.
Data stays local
Nothing is uploaded. Results are for licensed clinicians only.
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Radial inclination | 22 ° |
|---|---|
| Radial height | 11 mm |
| Volar tilt (volar +, dorsal −) | -5 ° |
| Articular step-off | 1 mm |
| Ulnar variance | 1 mm |
| Scapholunate angle | 55 ° |
| Scapholunate gap | 2 mm |
→Volar tilt (volar +, dorsal −)-5°
- Radial inclination：22 ° → 21–25°: normal
- Radial height：11 mm → 11–13 mm: normal
- Volar tilt (volar +, dorsal −)：-5 ° → Dorsal tilt 0–10°: acceptable
Common questions
What is Wrist Measurements (Distal Radius / Ulnar Variance / Scapholunate Angle)?
Radial inclination, radial height, volar tilt, articular step-off, ulnar variance, scapholunate angle and gap: acceptability of fracture reduction and carpal instability. Includes how to measure and what each value means. Instant, browser-side.
How is Wrist Measurements (Distal Radius / Ulnar Variance / Scapholunate Angle) calculated? What is the core formula?
Radial inclination < 15°: marked loss (unsatisfactory reduction) Radial inclination 15–21°: mildly reduced Radial inclination 21–25°: normal Radial inclination > 25°: increased Radial height < 9 mm: radial shortening (acceptable < 3 mm shortening) Radial height 9–11 mm: mild shortening Radial height 11–13 mm: normal Radial height > 13 mm: increased Volar tilt (volar +, dorsal −) Dorsal tilt > 10°: unacceptable Volar tilt (volar +, dorsal −) Dorsal tilt 0–10°: acceptable Volar tilt (volar +, dorsal −) Volar 0–20°: normal (~11°) Volar tilt (volar +, dorsal −) Volar > 20°: excessive volar tilt Articular step-off < 2 mm: acceptable Articular step-off ≥ 2 mm: needs anatomic reduction (post-traumatic arthritis risk) Ulnar variance < −2 mm: negative variance (associated with Kienböck disease) Ulnar variance −2–2 mm: neutral Ulnar variance > +2 mm: positive variance (ulnar impaction, TFCC degeneration) Scapholunate angle < 30°: possible VISI (lunotriquetral injury) Scapholunate angle 30–60°: normal Scapholunate angle > 60°: possible DISI (SL ligament injury; > 70° more certain) Scapholunate gap ≤ 3 mm: normal Scapholunate gap > 3 mm: possible SL dissociation (Terry-Thomas; > 5 mm diagnostic)
When is Wrist Measurements (Distal Radius / Ulnar Variance / Scapholunate Angle) used?
Wrist imaging: standard PA and lateral wrist — distal radius fracture reduction and carpal instability.
What are the key clinical points for Wrist Measurements (Distal Radius / Ulnar Variance / Scapholunate Angle)?
Standard PA (shoulder 90° abducted, elbow 90°, neutral rotation) and lateral wrist. Each value is graded against published reference ranges. Measurement technique and positioning change the numbers — compare like with like on follow-up. Part of the YuanDoctor MSK measurement topic.
What are the limits and cautions when using Wrist Measurements (Distal Radius / Ulnar Variance / Scapholunate Angle)?
For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
Does Wrist Measurements (Distal Radius / Ulnar Variance / Scapholunate Angle) upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
How is Wrist Measurements (Distal Radius / Ulnar Variance / Scapholunate Angle) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
Inputs: Radial inclination 22 °, Radial height 11 mm, Volar tilt (volar +, dorsal −) -5 °, Articular step-off 1 mm, Ulnar variance 1 mm, Scapholunate angle 55 °, Scapholunate gap 2 mm → Result: Volar tilt (volar +, dorsal −) -5 °（Radial inclination: 22 ° → 21–25°: normal, Radial height: 11 mm → 11–13 mm: normal, Volar tilt (volar +, dorsal −): -5 ° → Dorsal tilt 0–10°: acceptable）
Run Wrist Measurements (Distal Radius / Ulnar Variance / Scapholunate Angle) now
Radial inclination, radial height, volar tilt, articular step-off, ulnar variance, scapholunate angle and gap: acceptability of fracture reduction and carpal instability. Includes how to measure and what each value means. Instant, browser-side.
Open guideline tool →For licensed clinicians. Not a substitute for clinical judgement.
Paste the link in Slack, Teams, X, or LinkedIn — the preview image comes from this page’s Open Graph card.