Ligament-Sparing Volar Radiocarpal Arthrotomy During Distal Radius Fracture Repair: Anatomical Description and Quantification of Articular Surface Area Visualized in a Cadaveric Model

Distal radius (DR) fracture repair using the volar locked plating technique typically involves indirect fracture reduction, assessed using fluoroscopy, without direct visualization of the articular surface. This method of fracture repair may be guided by the rationale that volar radiocarpal ligament disruption may cause radiocarpal instability, although direct articular visualization may facilitate improved fracture reduction. This study investigated anatomical feasibility and articular surface visualization using volar ligament-sparing radiocarpal arthrotomy pertinent to DR fracture repair. Ten fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens of the upper extremity underwent volar arthrotomy via the standard flexor carpi radialis approach with partial longitudinal sectioning of the long radiolunate and partial transverse sectioning of the short radiolunate ligaments to visualize the articular surface of the DR. Following arthrotomy, the visible surface of the DR was analyzed using digital photography. The wrist was disarticulated, and the fully exposed articular surface was photographed. The visible area of the articular surface was quantified using digital imaging software by calculating the ratio of the surface area visualized using the arthrotomy to the total articular surface area. The percentage of the articular surface area of the DR visualized using the volar arthrotomy was 76% ± 7.6% (range, 69%–90%), including both the scaphoid facet, lunate facet, and scapholunate ridge. Volar radiocarpal arthrotomy allows clinically relevant visualization of the articular surface of the DR, including the scaphoid and lunate facets. Radiocarpal arthrotomy may facilitate improved articular reduction during DR fracture repair via the volar approach.