Method:

Case series study with radiographs of healthy and operated patients, in order to identify the lunate and scaphoid facets in lateral and anteroposterior projections. Qualitative analysis was made on the radiographs of the distal radius with wedges of 7 and 22o in the lateral views and 11o in the anteroposterior view.

Results:

There were evaluated 14 radiographs of the distal radius of healthy volunteers and 10 patients with distal radius fractures who recieved surgery with internal fixation, and also two anatomical models. In 14 healthy and 10 patients, it was found that the views at 7 and 22o can be better appreciated radio lunate and radio scaphoid surface respectively, observing images with less overlapping in the radiograph of 22o in both groups.

Discussion:

Radiographic views are important to determine the immediate results of fixation on a distal radius fracture. We observe that the lateral view at 7o is better to show the screws on the lunate facet of the radius. The lateral view at 22o is better to show the facet of the radius with the scaphoid. Finally, the anteroposterior projection at 11o allows us to see the radio carpal joint with lower image overlay.