normal age-related alterations on distal radius radiography

Background: the present study was designed to ascertain serial changes on distal radius radiographic parameters attributable to aging. methods: in this prospective study, the sample consisted of 120 healthy individuals who were divided into four age groups each containing 15 males and 15 females. in the two below-20-year-old groups, only ulnar variance could be investigated. wrist radiography was taken and then parameters of the distal radius were measured and compared based on age and sex. results: average uv was -2.48 mm and -1.6 mm in the 2-9 and 10-19-year-old age groups, respectively. also, in the two above-20-year-old groups, the average radial inclination (ri), palmar tilt (pt), radial length (rl), and uv was 23.7º, 12.4º, 10.5 and +1.1 mm, respectively. considering ulnar variance, no significant difference was found between the 2-9- and 10-19-year-old groups, as well as among the two above-20-year-old groups. however, a significant difference was observed between the below 20 and above 20 groups. the study results showed no significant differences between males and females in any of the study groups. discussion: there is significant ulnar variance change toward less negative ulnar variance with aging until maturity.