Positive ulnar variance
Last revised by Daniel J Bell ◉ on 14 Oct 2022
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Weerakkody Y, Bell D, Kite D, et al. Positive ulnar variance. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 08 Jun 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-20037
Permalink:
rID:
20037
Article created:
30 Oct 2012, Yuranga Weerakkody ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Yuranga Weerakkody had no recorded disclosures.
View Yuranga Weerakkody's current disclosuresLast revised:
14 Oct 2022, Daniel J Bell ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Daniel J Bell had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Daniel J Bell's current disclosuresRevisions:
7 times, by 5 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Synonyms:
- Positive ulnar variances
Positive ulnar variance describes where the distal articular surface of the ulna is more than 2.5 mm distal to the articular surface of the radius.
It plays important role in wrist pathology such as ulnar impaction syndromes and thinning of the triangular fibrocartilage complex.
Radiographic features
Maximum forearm pronation results in an increase in positive ulnar variance, whereas maximum forearm supination decreases ulnar variance 1.
See also
References
- 1. Cerezal L, del Piñal F, Abascal F, García-Valtuille R, Pereda T, Canga A. Imaging Findings in Ulnar-Sided Wrist Impaction Syndromes. Radiographics. 2002;22(1):105-21. doi:10.1148/radiographics.22.1.g02ja01105 - Pubmed
- 2. DiFiori J, Puffer J, Mandelbaum B, Dorey F. Distal Radial Growth Plate Injury and Positive Ulnar Variance in Nonelite Gymnasts. Am J Sports Med. 1997;25(6):763-8. doi:10.1177/036354659702500607 - Pubmed
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skeleton of the upper limb
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