✋ Wrist Measurements (Distal Radius / Ulnar Variance / Scapholunate Angle)
UseWrist imaging: standard PA and lateral wrist — distal radius fracture reduction and carpal instability.
SourceAAOS. The treatment of distal radius fractures: guideline and evidence report. 2009 / 2020
This-shift next steps
After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.
Paste the link in Slack, Teams, X, or LinkedIn — the preview image comes from this page’s Open Graph card.
Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
Standard PA (shoulder 90° abducted, elbow 90°, neutral rotation) and lateral wrist.
When to use
Wrist imaging: standard PA and lateral wrist — distal radius fracture reduction and carpal instability.
How it works
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)
Key points
- 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.
References
- [Guideline / primary source]AAOS. The treatment of distal radius fractures: guideline and evidence report. 2009 / 2020
- Medoff RJ. Essential radiographic evaluation for distal radius fractures. Hand Clin 2005;21:279-288
- Linscheid RL, et al. Traumatic instability of the wrist. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1972;54:1612-1632
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
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- 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）