Functional bracing for distal radioulnar joint instability.
Symptomatic chronic distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability can be a challenging disorder to treat surgically. This study used a cadaver model to assess the effect of functional forearm bracing on DRUJ instability. The specimen upper extremities were mounted on a platform and the DRUJ was destabilized sequentially. The effect of both prefabricated commercial braces and custom-made braces on joint stability was documented by computed tomography. Both braces markedly reduced DRUJ translation in both full pronation and full supination. The custom-made brace overreduced the DRUJ in full pronation. Our results suggest that functional forearm bracing may be effective in reducing instability of the DRUJ without greatly restricting motion of the wrist, forearm, or elbow.
Millard
Gary M
GM
Department of Orthopedics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Budoff
Jeffrey E
JE
Paravic
Vibor
V
Noble
Philip C
PC
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001915:Braces; D002102:Cadaver; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000503:physiopathology; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011884:Radius / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014457:Ulna / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*