ASSESSMENT OF X-RAY INDICATORS OF INSTABILITY OF THE DISTAL RADIOULNARY JOINT IN CHILDREN

Abstract

The article presents x-ray indicators and methods for their assessment in cases of distal instability of the radioulnar joint in children; the results of x-ray examination of 28 children are studied. The age of the patients ranged from 9 to 18 years; the patients' complaints mainly arose from pain in the wrist joint during movement or physical activity. All patients underwent direct, lateral and functional x-ray examination. Changes in the radioulnar angle in patients: a decrease in the angle in 7 patients, an increase in 17 patients and approaching normal values ​​in 4 patients. In most patients (22 or 78.5%) a decrease in the volar angle to a negative value, without change in 2 (7.1%) patients and a change in the average value in 4 (14.2%) patients. There was a deviation of the radioulnar index from normal values ​​of up to 3.1 mm. In 3 (10.7%) patients a null variant was identified, and in another 3 (10.7%) patients a negative variant was identified, while the radioulnar index did not change. Radioulnar distance was negative in 22 (78.5%) patients, ranging from -4.2 to -12.8 mm and positive in 6 (21.5%) patients, ranging from 2 to 12 mm. In 18 (64.2%) patients, the increase ranged from 4.7 to 12.7 mm, and in 10 (35.8%) there were values close to normal. The studied results and clinical examination show that with instability of the distal radioulnar joint, dislocation of the head of the ulna into the palmar region is often observed. Therefore, in case of distal instability of the radioulnar joint, it is necessary to conduct a functional X-ray examination. It is important to use these radiological indicators for planning surgical treatment.