Anatomical Study of the Pronator Quadratus Muscle and Comparison to Fracture Sites of the Distal Radius / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To collect data regarding the pronator-sparing approach using an anatomical study, which compared the fractures of the distal radius and pronator quadratus (PQ) muscle of an adult cadaveric radius. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen adult cadaver wrists that did not have previous fractures or previous surgery and computed tomography data 32 fractures of the distal radius, were obtained. The size of the distal fracture fragment was measured using the picture archiving and communication system. The distance between the distal margin of the PQ muscles and the articular margin was measured using a caliper. RESULTS: The PQ muscles had an average distance of 10.9 mm (range, 8-13 mm) from the radial styloid process and 10 mm (range, 8-12 mm) from the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). The fracture sites were located an average of 21.8 mm (range, 10-39 mm) from the radial styloid process and an average of 14.4 mm (range, 10-28 mm) from the DRUJ. Distal radial fractures overlapped an average of 11.8 mm from the radial styloid process and an average of 3.5 mm from the DRUJ. CONCLUSION: The pronator-sparing approach could be applied to a functionally reduced fracture because the non-overlapping area of the distal fracture fragment was > or =10 mm and it is possible to repair the anatomic plate without detaching the PQ muscle.