title: The effect of distal radius translation in the coronal plane on forearm rotation: a cadaveric study of distal radius fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of lateral translation of the distal radius in the coronal plane on forearm rotation after distal radius fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten fresh cadaveric limbs underwent distal radius osteotomy just proximal to the distal radial-ulnar joint to simulate an extra-articular distal radius fracture. We used an Agee Wrist Jack external fixator to create increasing magnitudes of distal fragment lateral translation in 2-mm increments. Forearm rotation was measured using a 3-dimensional camera at each magnitude of lateral translation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total forearm rotation for the intact specimen and 2, 4, 6, and 8 mm (maximal) radial translations was 186° ± 53°, 188° ± 54°, 189° ± 55°, 190° ± 57°, and 193° ± 59°, respectively. There was no significant difference for any magnitude of radial translation. The average maximal radial translation possible before radioulnar abutment was 8 ± 0.5 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this cadaveric model, translation of the distal radius fragment in the lateral direction had no effect on forearm rotation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At the level of the proximal border of the distal radioulnar joint, isolated distal radius translation does not significantly affect forearm rotation.
authors.affiliation: Curtis National Hand Center, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: C Tate
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Hepper
authors.affiliation: Curtis National Hand Center, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Curtis National Hand Center, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: Brent G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Parks
authors.affiliation: Curtis National Hand Center, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: Norman H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Dubin
authors.affiliation: Curtis National Hand Center, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Electronic address: anne.mattson@medstar.net.
authors.forename: Kenneth R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Means
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016267:External Fixators; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012399:Rotation
keywords: Distal radius fractures; forearm rotation; radial translation