CT-based morphometry of distal radius width and thickness in Vietnamese adults: Relevance for implant design

Accurate restoration of distal radius anatomy and optimal implant fit depend on detailed knowledge of population-specific bone morphology. However, CT-based three-dimensional morphometric reference data for Vietnamese adults remain limited, particularly regarding proportional shape characteristics relevant to implant design and individualized fixation strategies. This cross-sectional descriptive study analyzed bilateral wrist CT scans from 83 healthy Vietnamese adults (166 distal radii). Three-dimensional reconstructions were used to quantify distal radius width (DRW) and distal radius thickness (DRT) along standardized longitudinal axes. A width-to-thickness ratio (W/T ratio) was calculated as a dimensionless shape index. Associations with sex, age, and anthropometric variables were assessed, and bilateral symmetry was evaluated using paired analyses. DRW and DRT were significantly greater in males than females, and demonstrated strong positive correlations with height and weight. No significant differences in absolute dimensions were observed across adult age groups. In contrast, the W/T ratio showed no significant association with sex, height, weight, or body mass index. Paired analyses revealed small but statistically significant side-to-side differences in DRW and DRT, whereas the W/T ratio demonstrated no significant bilateral difference, indicating preserved proportional shape symmetry between wrists. In Vietnamese adults, absolute distal radius dimensions are strongly influenced by sex and body habitus, whereas proportional distal radius shape, expressed by the W/T ratio, remains relatively invariant and bilaterally symmetric. These findings provide population-specific anatomical reference data and support the use of simple shape-based indices to inform implant scaling, anatomical congruence, and individualized fixation strategies in translational anatomy and orthopaedic design. • CT-based 3D morphometry provides Vietnamese reference data for distal radius anatomy. • Distal radius width and thickness vary mainly with sex and body size. • The width-to-thickness ratio is a stable shape index across individuals. • Distal radius shape shows high bilateral symmetry relevant to implant design.