Anatomical Study of the Distal Radioulnar Joint: Degenerative Changes and Morphological Measurement.

A study of the degenerative changes in the distal radioulnar joint compared with morphological measurement of that joint using 91 joints of the hand from 51 systemic anatomy cadavers was conducted. X-ray images of the joints of the hand were taken followed by measurement of radial inclination, ulnar variance, volar tilt, sigmoid notch inclination and ulnar seat inclination. Macroscopic observations of the ulnar notch of the radius and surface of the distal radioulnar joint of the ulnar head were made by dividing them into six and nine areas, respectively. These were then used to classify the degree of cartilage degeneration. In addition, the status of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) was also observed. Arthropathic changes of the distal radioulnar joint were associated with factors including TFC degeneration and UV(+), SNI(-) and USI(+).