title: The effect of sectioning the dorsal radiocarpal ligament and insertion of a pressure sensor into the radiocarpal joint on scaphoid and lunate kinematics.
abstract: The role of the dorsal radiocarpal wrist ligament has been the subject of several investigations. Several biomechanical studies have used sensors inserted dorsally into the wrist joint to evaluate its pressure distribution. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a dorsal capsulotomy that sections the dorsal radiocarpal ligament or insertion of a flexible pressure sensor alters scaphoid or lunate kinematics. Eight cadaver upper extremities were instrumented with motion sensors and placed in a wrist joint simulator. Each arm was moved through continual cycles of wrist flexion/extension and radial/ulnar deviation. Motion data were obtained in the intact state, after a capsulotomy, and after insertion of the sensor. We found that either a dorsal capsulotomy sectioning the dorsal radiocarpal ligament or insertion of the pressure sensor alters scaphoid and lunate kinematics during dynamic wrist motion. This study supports the clinical belief that this dorsal wrist ligament should be spared during surgical approaches to the carpus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 550 Harrison Center, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
authors.forename: Walter H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Short
authors.forename: Frederick W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: Jason K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Marsha M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.forename: Shunji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masaoka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012667:Lunate Bone / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D011884:Radius / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D021361:Scaphoid Bone / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014160:Transducers, Pressure; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*