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Measuring ulnar variance: a comparison of techniques.

C M Steyers¹, W F Blair

¹Department of Orthopaedics, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.

The Journal of Hand Surgery

|July 1, 1989

Summary

Clinicians can choose any method for measuring ulnar variance, as all techniques demonstrated high reliability. The method of perpendiculars showed the highest interobserver and intraobserver reliability for ulnar variance measurement.

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Area of Science:

Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Radiology and Imaging

Background:

Accurate measurement of ulnar variance is crucial in diagnosing and managing wrist conditions.
Several techniques exist for measuring ulnar variance, but their comparative reliability is not always clear.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the reliability and variability of three common methods for measuring ulnar variance: project-a-line (A), concentric circles (B), and perpendiculars (C).

Main Methods:

Radiographic assessment of ulnar variance using three distinct techniques.
Evaluation of interobserver and intraobserver reliability for each measurement method.
Statistical analysis to identify significant differences in results and reliability.

Main Results:

A significant difference was found between the project-a-line (A) and concentric circles (B) techniques (p = 0.0224), with mean A values being more positive.
Observer variability was significant (p = 0.0092) across all techniques.
The method of perpendiculars exhibited the highest interobserver (0.9801) and intraobserver (0.9719) reliability.

Conclusions:

All three methods for measuring ulnar variance are highly reliable.
The method of perpendiculars offers the greatest reliability for both interobserver and intraobserver assessments.
Clinicians can select their preferred technique for measuring ulnar variance based on these findings.

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