Normal ranges of scapholunate distance in children 6 to 14 years old

The purpose of this study was to determine the normal ranges of scapholunate distance (SLD) applicable to children. Bone age radiographs of 85 children (36 boys, 49 girls) 6 to 14 years of age were used to establish the normal ranges. Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed significant age and gender differences. Therefore, linear regression was used to determine normal SLD ranges separately for girls and boys based on chronologic age and bone age. SLD normal ranges were similar for chronologic age and bone age. Interobserver and intraobserver agreement was excellent. There was no significant age by gender interaction found, indicating that although boys had significantly longer distances than girls, both showed a similar rate of decreasing SLD distance with age. These results provide age-and gender-based normal ranges of SLD in young children. These results may be useful in assessing traumatic soft tissue injuries about the pediatric wrist. Of note, only three girls and two boys (all 12 years or older) met the adult criterion of normal SLD of < or = 2 mm.