The Effect of Frontal Plane Fragment Displacement on Distal Radioulnar Joint Stability in Distal Radius Metaphysis Fractures. Literature Review
- Authors: Maksarov M., Parshikov M.V.
- Section: SCIENTIFIC REVIEWS
- Submitted: 29.10.2024
- Accepted: 19.08.2025
- Published: 30.10.2025
- URL: https://journals.eco-vector.com/0869-8678/article/view/640064
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.17816/vto640064
- ID: 640064
Cite item
Abstract
Fractures of distal radius metaepifiz (Dmelk) occupy one of the leading positions in damage to the bone-muscular system and most fractures of this anatomical region are still considered as an outpatient version of the injury, which leads to the formation of improper fusion. Another significant argument with non -satisfactory results of fractures of this localization is that they do not pay due attention to damage to soft-tissue anatomical structures. At the moment, the displacements of distal metaepifiz in length, at an angle and rotational, but recently, the displacement of fragments in the frontal plane has recently been studied, which also affects the development of instability of the distal ray-elbow joint. In the frontal (radiation) form of displacement, a displacement of the distal fragment occurs - the methaepephiz of the radial bone in the radial side, and the proximal fragment - the diaphysis of the radius to the elbow with a decrease in the interconnection space. The damaged and not restored anatomy of the distal radius metaepiphyse leads to the development of the incourse of the distal ray-elbow joint and impaired work, both primary (triangular fibrous-chiscaric complex) and secondary (distal inter-cell membrane) of static stabilizers and a dynamic stabilizer (square pronator). With the preserved frontal displacement, the work of both static and dynamic stabilizers is violated. In primary static stabilizers, the radio-ulnar ligaments are primarily floated, which leads to a weakening of the capsule and the spread of the articular surfaces, in secondary static stabilizers, in particular, in the distal inter-cell membar of the forearm, its tension decreases, which in turn leads to a decrease in the tension of the distroxy-lane-lace-lane and lace-plate and development of the pre -porcass instability of the joint. In the described conditions, the work of a dynamic stabilizer is also violated, which has recently assigned an important role in the development of instability of the distal ray-elbow joint in rotary movements. All of the above and is the biomechanical chain of development of the instability of the distal ray-elbow joint. In this article devoted to a review of literature, I would like to show damage to the structures of the cystic joint (distal inter-cell membrane and distal oblique ligament), which affect the subsequent functional outcome, using the example of one type of displacement.
Full Text
About the authors
Mikhail Maksarov
Author for correspondence.
Email: potapich85@mail.ru
Russian Federation
Mikhail Viktorovich Parshikov
Email: potapich85@mail.ru
References
- Lemme NJ, Ready L, Faria M, DeFroda SF, Gil JA, Owens BD. Epidemiology of boxing-related upper extremity injuries in the United States. Phys Sportsmed. 2018;46(4):503–8. doi: 10.1080/00913847.2018.1516478
- Porrino JA Jr, Maloney E, Scherer K, et al. Fracture of the distal radius: epidemiology and premanagement radiographic characterization. Am J Roentgenol. 2014;203(3):551–9. doi: 10.2214/AJR.13.12140
- Candela V, Di Lucia P, Carnevali C, et al. Epidemiology of distal radius fractures: a detailed survey on a large sample of patients in a suburban area. J Orthop Traumatol. 2022;23(1):43. doi: 10.1186/s10195-022-00663-6
- Solvang HW, Nordheggen RA, Clementsen S, Hammer OL, Randsborg PH. Epidemiology of distal radius fracture in Akershus, Norway, in 2010–2011. J Orthop Surg Res. 2018;13(1):199. doi: 10.1186/s13018-018-0904-0
- Mallmin H, Ljunghall S, Persson I, Bergstrom R. Risk factors for fractures of the distal forearm: a population-based case-control study. Osteoporos Int. 1994;4(6):298–304. doi: 10.1007/BF01622186
- Mallmin H, Ljunghall S. Distal radius fracture is an early sign of general osteoporosis: bone mass measurements in a population-based study. Osteoporos Int. 1994;4(6):357–361. doi: 10.1007/BF01622198
- Toon DH, Premchand RAX, Sim J, et al. Outcomes and financial implications of intra-articular distal radius fractures: a comparative study of open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) with volar locking plates versus nonoperative management. J Orthop Traumatol. 2017;18(3):229–234. doi: 10.1007/s10195-016-0441-8
- Padmore CE, Stoesser H, Nishiwaki M, et al. The Effect of Dorsally Angulated Distal Radius Deformities on Carpal Kinematics: An In Vitro. J Hand Surg Am. 2018;43(11):1036.e1–1036.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2018.02.017
- Trehan SK, Orbay JL, Wolfe SW. Coronal Shift of Distal Radius Fractures: Influence of the Distal Interosseous Membrane on Distal Radioulnar Joint Instability. J Hand Surg Am. 2015;40(1):159–62. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.08.022
- Dy CJ, Jang E, Taylor SA, Meyers KN, Wolfe SW. The impact of coronal alignment on distal radioulnar joint stability following distal radius fracture. J Hand Surg Am. 2014;39(7):1264–1272. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.08.022
- Fujitani R, Omokawa S, Akahane M, et al. Predictors of distal radioulnar joint instability in distal radius fractures. J Hand Surg Am. 2011;36(12):1919e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2011.09.004
- Qazi S, Graham D, Regal S, Tang P, Hammarstedt JE. Distal Radioulnar Joint Instability and Associated Injuries: A Literature Review. J Hand Microsurg. 2021;13(3):123–131. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1730886
- Lee RKL, Griffith JF, Ng AWH, Nung RCH, Yeung DKW. Wrist traction during MR arthrography improves detection of triangular fibrocartilage complex and intrinsic ligament tears and visibility of articular cartilage. Am J Roentgenol. 2016;206(1):155–161. doi: 10.2214/AJR.15.14948
- Moritomo H. The distal interosseous membrane: current concepts in wrist anatomy and biomechanics. J Hand Surg Am. 2012;37(7):1501–1507. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.04.037
- Noda K, Goto A, Murase T, et al. Interosseous membrane of the forearm: an anatomical study of ligament attachment locations. J Hand Surg Am. 2009;34(3):415–422. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.10.025
- Kitamura T, Moritomo H, Arimitsu S, et al. The biomechanical effect of the distal interosseous membrane on distal radioulnar joint stability: a preliminary anatomic study. J Hand Surg Am. 2011;36(10):1626–1630. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2011.07.016
- Dy CJ, Jang E, Taylor SA, Meyers KN, Wolfe SW. The impact of coronal alignment on distal radioulnar joint stability following distal radius fracture. J Hand Surg Am. 2014;39(7):1264–1272. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.03.041
- Ross M, Di Mascio L, Peters S, et al. Defining residual radial translation of distal radius fractures: apotential cause of distal radioulnar joint instability. J Wrist Surg. 2014;3(1):22–29. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1357758
- Cheng CY, Chang CH. Corrective osteotomy for intra-articular malunion of the sigmoid notch of the distal part of the radius: a case report. Hand Surg. 2008;13(02):93–97. doi: 10.1142/S0218810408003839
- Kamal RN, Leversedge F, Ruch DS, et al. The Sigmoid Notch View for Distal Radius Fractures. J Hand Surg Am. 2018;43(11):1038.e1–1038.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2018.03.016
- Poitevin LA. Anatomy and biomechanics of the interosseous membrane: its importance in the longitudinal stability of the forearm. Hand Clin. 2001;17(1):97–110. doi: 10.1016/S0749-0712(21)00604-1
- Mori K. Experimental study on rotation of the forearm: functional anatomy of the interosseous membrane. Nihon Seikeigeka Gakkai Zasshi. 1985;59(6):611–22.
- Kitamura T, Moritomo H, Arimitsu S, et al. The biomechanical effect of the distal interosseous membrane on distal radioulnar joint stability. J Hand Surg. 2011;36(10):1626–1630. doi: 10.1007/s00590-013-1388-6
- Gabl M, Zimmermann R, Angermann P, et al. The interosseous membrane and its influence on the distal radioulnar joint. An anatomical investigation of the distal tract. J Hand Surg. 1998;23(2):179–182. doi: 10.1016/s0266-7681(98)80170-8
- Stuart PR, Berger RA, Linscheid RL, An KN. The dorsopalmar stability of the distal radioulnar joint. J Hand Surg Am. 2000;25(4):689–99. doi: 10.1053/jhsu.2000.9418
- Arimitsu S, Moritomo H, Kitamura K, et al. The stabilizing effect of the distal interosseous membrane on the distal radioulnar joint in ulnar shortening procedure: a biomechanical study. J Bone Joint Surg. 2011;93(21):2022–2030. doi: 10.2106/jbjs.j.00411
- Low SL, Clippinger BB, Landfair GL, Criner-Woozley K. A Biomechanical Evaluation of the DRUJ After Distal Oblique Bundle Reconstruction. J Hand Surg Am. 2020;45(5):452.e1–452.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2019.10.011
- Adams JE, Culp RW, Osterman AL. Interosseous Membrane Reconstruction for the Essex-Lopresti Injury. J Hand Surg Am. 2010;35(1):129–36. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2009.10.007
- Riggenbach MD, Conrad BP, Wright TW, Dell PC. Distal oblique bundle reconstruction and distal radioulnar joint instability. J Wrist Surg. 2013;2(4):330–336. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1358546
- Hohenberger GM, Schwarz AM, Weiglein AH, et al. Prevalence of the distal oblique bundle of the interosseous membrane of the forearm: an anatomical study. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2018;43(4):426–430. doi: 10.1177/1753193417727138
- Moritomo H, Noda K, Goto A, et al. Interosseous membrane of the forearm: length change of ligaments during forearm rotation. J Hand Surg Am. 2009;34(4):685–691. doi: 10.1007/s00590-013-1388-6
- Trehan SK, Gould HP, Meyers KN, Wolfe SW. The Effect of Distal Radius Fracture Location on Distal Radioulnar Joint Stability: A Cadaveric Study. J Hand Surg Am. 2019;44(6):473–479. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2019.01.002
- Rapley JH, Kearny JP, Schrayer A, Viegas SF. Ulnar translation, a commonly overlooked, unrecognized deformity of distal radius fractures: techniques to correct the malalignment. Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2008;12(3):166–169. doi: 10.1097/bth.0b013e31817d54e8
- Koh S, Andersen CR, Buford WL Jr, Patterson RM, Viegas SF. Anatomy of the distal brachioradialis and its potential relationship to distal radius fracture. J Hand Surg Am. 2006;31(1):2–8. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2005.08.012
- Dy CJ, Jang E, Taylor SA, Meyers KN, Wolfe SW. The Impact of Coronal Alignment on Distal Radioulnar Joint Stability Following Distal Radius Fracture. J Hand Surg Am. 2014;39(7):1264–72. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.03.041
- Orbay JL. Ulnar head and styloid fractures. In: Slutsky DJ, editor. Principles and Practice of Wrist Surgery. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2010:198–204. doi: 10.1016/b978-1-4160-5646-1.00015-1
- Trufanov GE, Pchelin IG, Kadubovskaya EA, Egorova VS. Radiological Diagnostics of Injuries and Diseases of the Wrist Joint and Carpals. 3rd ed. St. Petersburg: ELBI-SPb; 2022. 496 p. (in Russ.) EDN: QNCKFY
- Porrino JA Jr, Maloney E, Scherer K, et al. Fracture of the distal radius: epidemiology and premanagement radiographic characterization. Am J Roentgenol. 2014;203(3):551–9. doi: 10.2214/AJR.13.12140
- Fallahi F, Jafari H, Jefferson G, Jennings P, Read R. Explorative study of the sensitivity and specificity of the pronator quadratus fat pad sign as a predictor of subtle wrist fractures. Skeletal Radiol. 2013;42(2):249–53. doi: 10.1007/s00256-012-1451-0
- Kumar S, Khan AN, Sonanis SV. Radiographic and functional evaluation of low profile dorsal versus volar plating for distal radius fractures. J Orthop. 2016;13(4):376–82. doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2016.06.017
- Ross M, Di Mascio L, Peters S, et al. Defining residual radial translation of distal radius fractures: a potential cause of distal radioulnar joint instability. J Wrist Surg. 2014;3(1):22–29. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1357758
- Okada K, Moritomo H, Miyake J, et al. Morphological evaluation of the distal interosseous membrane using ultrasound. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2014;24(7):1095–100. doi: 10.1007/s00590-013-1388-6
- Kim YH, Gong HS, Park JW, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the distal oblique bundle in the distal interosseous membrane of the forearm. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):47. doi: 10.1186/s12891-017-1419-2
Supplementary files

