[Analysis of acute distal radius fractures with the articular sagittal index (ASI)].

Displacements of articular fragments are not always visible on initial radiographs of acute distal radius fractures. Despite the wide use of CT scan, it may be useful to know a simple index that could suggest an articular displaced fracture from the initial standard radiographs. The authors describe an articular sagittal index (ASI) of the distal radius and provide reference values from a study of 100 healthy volunteers. An increase of the ASI index suggests a displaced articular distal radius fracture with possible impaction.