Musculoskeletal ImagingAlignment, fracture
the longitudinal relationship of one
fracture fragment to another. In the absence of significant angulation, the
fracture is said to be in anatomic or near anatomic alignment. When angulation is present, it is described by defining the angulation of the distal fragment with respect to the proximal one, such as medial or lateral, dorsal or ventral. In such descriptions, the terms
varus angulation and
valgus angulation are frequently used. Alternatively, the angulation may be defined according to the orientation at the
fracture site. In anterior angulation the apex of the
fracture is directed anteriorly (ventrally); in posterior angulation the apex of the
fracture site is directed posteriorly (dorsally).
DR