Quantitative assessment of distal radioulnar joint stability with pressure-monitor ultrasonography

Diagnosing distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability remains a challenge as it relies on physical examination. To quantitatively assess DRUJ stability, a pressure-monitor ultrasound system was developed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the force-displacement relationship of DRUJ in normal subjects.

Nine wrists of 9 asymptomatic volunteers were evaluated. The pressure-monitor ultrasound system was developed to apply pressure to the tissue with a pre-determined cycle and displacement of the transducer. Each subject was imaged sitting with the elbow flexed and forearm pronated. The dorsal surface of the distal radius and the center of the ulnar head were displayed at DRUJ level. The pressure toward palmar direction was applied to the distal ulna with different levels of transducer displacements, i.e., 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm. The distance between the dorsal surface of the ulnar head and the dorsal surface of the distal radius was measured. The first measurement was performed at the initial position, and the second measurement was performed when the transducer pressed down the ulna to the degree that the ulnar head had shifted to the most palmar position. At the same time, the pressure to the transducer was measured. The changes of radioulnar distance (=the measurement at the most palmar position—the measurement at the initial position) and pressure, and pressure/distance ratio were compared among the different transducer displacements.

The pressure was significantly increased as the transducer displacement became larger (P < 0.01). The changes of radioulnar distance were smaller in the 1 mm displacement condition compared to the 2 and 3 mm displacement conditions (P < 0.05). The pressure/distance ratio was larger in the 1 mm displacement condition compared to the 2 and 3 mm displacement conditions (P < 0.05).

A method to assess DRUJ stability by measuring changes in radioulnar distance and force application was developed. It was found that the application of 2 mm displacement and 200 g force was the critical stress for the capsuloligamentous structures to start stabilizing DRUJ. This methodology and the indices may be clinically useful to investigate the mechanical properties of patients with DRUJ instability.