Radiography and computerized tomography in the diagnosis of incongruity of the distal radio-ulnar joint. A prospective study.

Abstract

The diagnosis of subluxation or dislocation of the distal radio-ulnar joint may be difficult to confirm by routine radiographs. We undertook a prospective evaluation of fifteen patients with acute or chronic pain in the distal radio-ulnar joint, using both standardized radiographs and computer assisted tomography. In the absence of a deformity of the distal end of the radius, a lateral radiograph made with the wrist in the neutral position accurately revealed incongruency of the distal radio-ulnar joint. When pain or cast immobilization prevented optimum positioning of the wrist for radiography, or when a deformity of the distal end of the radius was present, computer assisted tomography gave a more accurate determination of the congruency of the joint.