Ulnar footprints of the distal radioulnar ligaments: a detailed topographical study in 21 cadaveric wrists

Understanding of the exact topography of the distal radioulnar ligaments insertions remains limited. An anatomical study was performed in 21 fresh frozen cadaveric wrists, where the superficial and deep ligaments were sequentially transected sharply at their ulnar insertions. The relationships between the distal radioulnar ligament footprints relative to the bony landmarks of the ulnar styloid were digitized. Our study demonstrated that in the coronal plane, the superficial distal radioulnar ligaments inserted at an average of 87% of the styloid height proximally to the styloid tip distally. The deep distal radioulnar ligaments inserted at an average of 81% of the styloid height distally to the fovea proximally. The superficial footprint had an area of 10.6 mm² on the ulnar styloid. The deep distal radioulnar ligaments attachment was asymmetric and generally had two separate footprints. This study adds important topographical knowledge about the footprint of the distal radioulnar ligaments and may contribute to understanding the consequences of ulnar styloid fractures and distal radioulnar ligaments lesions.