European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF THE PROXIMAL END OF THE RADIUS: ITS CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

Utoon Ekeneokot Ekeneokot*, Emeka Anthony Osunwoke, Valentine Chidozie Amasiatu and Okezie Chinedu Ugwa

ABSTRACT

When survivors of accident cases are identified with gross injuries and fractures, restoration of the functional anatomy is paramount to the orthopedic surgeons. The proximal end of radius articulates with the humerus and ulna to bring about flexion, extension, supination and pronation. In conditions where radial head becomes difficult to reconstruct, radial head prosthesis becomes a treatment option. However, improper sizing poses a challenge on stability and movement. 202 radial bones from cadaver specimens were studied. The Lateromedial diameter of the articular surface (LMDAS), Ventrodorsal diameter of the articular surface (VDDAS), Height of the radial head on its medial side (HM), Radial head height on its lateral side (HL), Thickness of the lateral curve of the proximal articular surface (TLCAS), Thickness of the ventral curve of the proximal articular surface (TVCAS), Thickness of the dorsal curve of the proximal articular surface (TDCAS), Fovea radialis diameter (FRD), Depth of the articular facet (DAF), Circumference of the articular periphery (CAP), Lateromedial diameter of the neck (LMDN), Neck-diaphyseal angle (NDA) and length of radius (LR) were determined. Results showed that the mean values for the radial parameters were; LMDAS (21.41±2.13mm), VDDAS (20.67±2.18mm), HM (11.07±1.49mm), HL (8.45±1.19mm), TVCAS (4.98±0.77mm), TLCAS (4.05±0.69mm), TDCAS (3.48±0.73mm), FRD (12.29±1.66mm), DAF (1.84±0.36mm), CAP (6.95±0.65mm), LMDN (12.11±1.21mm), NDA (169.49±2.79º), LR (259.26±22.25mm). Significant difference was not observed between the left and right radius in all parameters except DAF and HL. The morphometric values as established will be useful to orthopedic surgeons and biomedical engineers in designing radial head prosthesis for Nigerians.

Keywords: Proximal end, Radial Head, Prosthetics.