Ulnar variance and skeletal maturity of radius and ulna in female gymnasts

It is has been suggested that repetitive loading on the distal end of the r adius in elite gymnasts may lead to epiphyseal changes, a premature closure (union) of the radius growth plate, and ulnar overgrowth. Purpose: It is h ypothesized that ulnar overgrowth in female gymnasts is associated with adv anced maturity status and early onset of epiphyseal closure of the radius, and later maturity status and later onset of epiphyseal closure of the ulna r. Methods: Posterior-anterior radiographs of 201 female gymnasts, particip ants of the 1987 World Championships Artistic Gymnastics, were used to meas ure ulnar overgrowth, to determine skeletal maturation of the hand and wris t with the Tanner-Whitehouse technique, and to determine the maturity statu s of the radius and ulna separately, particularly with regard to the onset of epiphyseal closure. To test the hypothesis, extreme quintiles for ulnar overgrowth were contrasted for skeletal maturation of the hand and wrist an d for maturity stages of the radius and ulna as defined by the Tanner-White house criteria. Results: Female gymnasts who demonstrate ulnar overgrowth a re skeletally more advanced in maturity status of the entire hand-wrist com pared with gymnasts who did not show ulnar overgrowth. There were, however, no differences between gymnasts in the extreme quintiles of ulnar overgrow th in the maturation of the radius, although gymnasts with ulnar overgrowth show more advanced maturity status of the ulna. Conclusions: Ulnar overgro wth is thus not apparently associated with advanced maturity of the distal radial epiphysis as defined in protocols for assessing skeletal maturity an d does not apparently lead to premature epiphyseal closure of the distal ra dius.