OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the position and values of the kinematic indices of the wrist (center of rotation, carpal height, carpal-ulnar distance), the third metacarpal length, and the scapholunate distance for children and compared the results with those reported for adults. METHODS: The study included 41 children (24 girls, 17 boys; age range 4 to 16 years) who presented with wrist and/or forearm injuries, and whose radiographs of the other wrist had been obtained for comparison. The children were divided into six age groups separated by 2-year intervals regardless of gender or the side of the wrists involved. Measurements were made on standard posteroanterior radiographs of healthy wrists and the mean values obtained were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The carpal height, carpal-ulnar distance and the third metacarpal length were significantly different in all age groups. The ratios of the carpal height and the carpal-ulnar distance to the third metacarpal length were similar both in the age groups and to those reported for the adult values. However, the scapholunate distance exhibited significant differences between the age groups and from the standard adult value. CONCLUSION: The adult values given for the ratios of the carpal height and the carpal-ulnar distance to the third metacarpal length can be adopted as standard values for children. However, determination of the scapholunate dissociation in children should not be based on the normal range given for adults.
OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the position and values of the kinematic indices of the wrist (center of rotation, carpal height, carpal-ulnar distance), the third metacarpal length, and the scapholunate distance for children and compared the results with those reported for adults. METHODS: The study included 41 children (24 girls, 17 boys; age range 4 to 16 years) who presented with wrist and/or forearm injuries, and whose radiographs of the other wrist had been obtained for comparison. The children were divided into six age groups separated by 2-year intervals regardless of gender or the side of the wrists involved. Measurements were made on standard posteroanterior radiographs of healthy wrists and the mean values obtained were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The carpal height, carpal-ulnar distance and the third metacarpal length were significantly different in all age groups. The ratios of the carpal height and the carpal-ulnar distance to the third metacarpal length were similar both in the age groups and to those reported for the adult values. However, the scapholunate distance exhibited significant differences between the age groups and from the standard adult value. CONCLUSION: The adult values given for the ratios of the carpal height and the carpal-ulnar distance to the third metacarpal length can be adopted as standard values for children. However, determination of the scapholunate dissociation in children should not be based on the normal range given for adults.