Ulnar variance and triangular fibrocartilage thickness in adolescents: a cross-sectional MRI study of healthy participants

Skeletally immature wrists are considered at risk of injury due to increased axial loading through a relatively shorter ulna. The aim of this study was to determine whether triangular fibrocartilage thickness relates to ulnar variance and age in adolescents. The radiographs and MRIs of 24 healthy adolescents were retrospectively assessed. Four observers assessed bone age and ulnar variance on radiographs and measured triangular fibrocartilage thickness on MRIs. Median calendar and bone age was 13 years and ulnar variance was -0.7 mm. Median triangular fibrocartilage thickness was 1.4 mm, with excellent inter-observer agreement (r = 0.86). It was moderately correlated with ulnar variance (rho = -0.46) as well as with bone age (rho = -0.49). Both variables were statistically significant predictors in a multivariate analysis. This suggests that triangular fibrocartilage thickness changes during skeletal maturation, which might influence axial load distribution in skeletally immature wrists.