Measurement of the Shift in the Distal Radioulnar Joint Using a Custom Platform

Diagnosis of subluxation and dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) is difficult. In order to measure the shift between radius and ulna, we evaluate a method with a custom platform in this study. Cadaver specimen was fixed on a custom platform, and the volar and dorsal translation of the ulnar head was measured under different stress forces. We built a subluxation model via a surgical procedure that removed components of the radioulnar joint, and the translation at varying stress levels was measured again. We find at the same stress level, the normal model results in significantly less translation than the subluxation model at the majority of the stress forces, and particularly with volar forces. Our results indicate that this measurement is a potential method to evaluate the stability of the DRUJ.