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Rheumatoid wrist deformities and their relation to ulnar drift
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume
|October 1, 1975
Summary
A new roentgenography technique reveals radial deviation is less pronounced in rheumatoid arthritis patients than previously thought. This finding suggests radial deviation may not cause ulnar drift, impacting treatment strategies for wrist deformities.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rheumatology
- Radiology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis commonly causes hand deformities.
- Ulnar drift and radial deviation are characteristic features.
- Accurate assessment of these deformities is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate hand deformities in rheumatoid arthritis using a novel roentgenography technique.
- To determine the relationship between radial deviation and ulnar drift.
- To inform clinical management and surgical interventions for wrist deformities.
Main Methods:
- A new roentgenography technique was employed to assess ulnar drift and radial deviation.
- Measurements were compared to those obtained with conventional roentgenograms.
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included in the study.
Main Results:
- The new technique showed less marked radial deviation compared to conventional methods.
- Radial deviation was found to be less significant than previously ascertained.
- This suggests radial deviation may not be a primary cause of ulnar drift.
Conclusions:
- The findings challenge the established understanding of rheumatoid arthritis hand deformities.
- Radial deviation is unlikely to be a direct cause of ulnar drift.
- Clinical implications include optimizing splinting positions and surgical correction techniques for wrist deformities.