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Posteroanterior wrist radiographs of eight patients were evaluated by eight orthopedists. Radial inclination angle and radial-carpal distance were measured by use of a standardized technique. The standard deviation for radial inclination angle was 2 degrees. The standard deviation for radial-carpal distance was 1 mm. The measured rotational variation of radial inclination and radial-carpal distance is 1 degree and 1 mm, respectively, through a 10-degree arc of supination and pronation.

Four patients with hypothenar hammer syndrome were evaluated preoperatively with Doppler mapping and angiography. Both tests documented ulnar artery occlusion. In one patient, the proximal extent of thrombosis could not be identified by angiography. In all cases Doppler mapping accurately documented the extent of occlusion as confirmed by surgical exploration. Doppler mapping is a noninvasive alternative to angiography in the evaluation of hypothenar hammer syndrome.