[Morphologic causes and consequences of fracture of the distal radius].

Age and stress related changes in the distal epiphysis of the radius are viewed as cause and effect of losses in stability due to pathological stress. 15 in 97 distal radii show typical osseous alterations which can be evidenced after healing of a radial fracture by means of determining the subchondral cortex density. A dorsally directed inclination of the distal radius epiphysis following a healed fracture often be observed. This inclination leads to a redirecting of the resultant force vector which in turn results in a thickening of the subchondral corticalis directed towards the palmar socket margin. The densitometric evaluation based on X-ray depictions enables the morphological characterisation of the restructuring of corticalis and spongiosa in long bones as cause and effect of a fracture.