Age Determination from Radiological Investigation of Epiphyseal Appearance and Fusion around Wrist Joint: A Cross-Sectional Study from Khammam Region

Determination of the age of an individual from the appearance and the fusion of the ossification centers is considered a reasonable well accepted method in the field of medical and legal professions. The challenges encountered while determining the age of a bone vary from place to place depending on the geographic terrain, climatic, dietetic, hereditary, disease & other factors. Therefore aim of this study was to ascertain status of epiphyseal fusion of long bones at wrist joint for determination of age. The study comprised of a total 296 subjects in the age groups from 11 to 21 years from Khammam region. X-rays of the both elbow joints and bilateral wrist joint were taken in antero-posterior view. The films were studied radiologically by interpreting the ossification into stages. Complete fusion of distal end of ulna with its shaft was seen in the age group of 16-17 years in males and 15-16 years in females and 100% complete epiphyseal fusion at wrist joint was noticed at the age of 18-19 years in males and 17-18 years in females. Ages of bilateral complete union of epiphysis around wrist joint i.e. for lower end of radius and ulna both, it is found to be 17-18 years for girls &18-19 years for boys in Khammam region.