Load Distribution in Dorsally-Angulated Distal Radius Deformity Using Finite Element Analysis

Purpose The load axis of the carpals is located on the volar side of the normal distal radius. A volar lunate facet fracture (VLFF) is exposed to volar-shearing stress, which can cause volar displacement of the carpus. A previous biomechanical study reported that the load at the scaphoid fossa was located more dorsally and the pressure at the lunate fossa decreased in a dorsally-angulated model. However, the distal radius load distribution for various volar tilts remains unclear. We speculate that if the volar tilt decreases, the load distribution moves dorsally and decreases the stress on the VLFF. Therefore, we analyzed a dorsally-angulated distal radius model to evaluate changes in the load distribution using finite element analysis.Methods A 3-dimensional finite element wrist model was developed using computed tomography images. The ligaments were modeled as tension-only spring elements. We considered the intact wrist model for a volar tilt of 15 degrees and created 5 additional models for volar tilts of 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 0 degrees, -5 degrees, and -10 degrees.Results As the dorsal angulation increased, the stress distribution moved from volar to dorsal and from the lunate fossa toward the scaphoid fossa. The maximum stress on the volar lunate facet was reduced as volar tilt decreased. The maximum stress was higher on the lunate fossa for volar tilts from 15 degrees to 5 degrees. In contrast, the maximum stress was higher on the scaphoid fossa for volar tilts of <= 0 degrees.Conclusions Load transmission moved from volar to dorsal and from the lunate fossa to the scaphoid fossa when the volar tilt decreased. Therefore, a decrease in the volar tilt would reduce the load on the VLFF.Clinical relevance This study provides surgeons accurate knowledge regarding load distribution of the distal radius for various volar tilts that could be helpful in treating patients with VLFFs.