Quantitative three-dimensional assessment of Madelung deformity

Abstract

In the diagnostic work-up of Madelung deformity conventional radiographic imaging is often used, assessing the three-dimensional deformity in a two-dimensional manner. A three-dimensional approach could expand our understanding of Madelung deformity’s complex wrist anatomy, while removing inter- and intra-rater differences. We measured previous two-dimensional-based and newly developed three-dimensional-based parameters in 18 patients with Madelung deformity (28 wrists) and 35 healthy participants (56 wrists). Madelung deformity wrists have increased levels of ulnar tilt, lunate subsidence, lunate fossa angle, and palmar carpal displacement. The lunate fossa is more concave and irregular, and angles between scaphoid, lunate, and triquetral bones are decreased. These findings validate the underlying principles of current two-dimensional criteria and reveal previously unknown anatomical abnormalities by utilizing novel three-dimensional parameters to quantify the radiocarpal joint.