Comparison of the "contact biomechanics" of the intact and proximal row carpectomy wrist.
OBJECTIVE
The proximal row carpectomy (PRC) is a clinically useful motion-preserving procedure for various arthritides of the wrist. However, there are few studies on the "contact biomechanics" after PRC. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the contact biomechanics in terms of pressure, area, and contact location of the intact and PRC wrist.


METHODS
Six fresh-frozen cadaver forearms were tested in neutral, 45 degrees of flexion, and 45 degrees of extension. In the intact wrist, Fuji UltraSuperLow pressure contact film was placed in the radioulnocarpal joint. The specimen was loaded to a total force of 200 N. We then performed a PRC, and the experiment was repeated using Fuji Low film. The film was scanned and analyzed with a customized MATLAB program. Multivariable analysis of variance with multiple contrast testing and Student's t-test were performed for statistics.


RESULTS
In the intact wrist, scaphoid contact pressure averaged 1.4 megapascals (MPa), and lunate contact pressure averaged 1.3 MPa. In terms of contact location, scaphoid contact in the intact wrist significantly moved dorsal and ulnar in flexion and significantly moved volar and radial in extension. Lunate contact significantly moved dorsal in flexion. PRC wrist contact pressure was 3.8 times that of the intact wrist, and the contact area was approximately 26% that of the intact wrist. Lastly, in terms of the amount of contact translation after PRC, the capitate contact translated (7.5 mm) more than did the scaphoid contact (5.6 mm) and had about equal translation to that of the lunate (7.3 mm).


CONCLUSIONS
Contact pressure increased significantly and contact area decreased significantly after PRC. There is significant contact translation after PRC (more than scaphoid translation but equal to lunate translation), which provides quantitative support of the theory that translational motion of the PRC may explain its good clinical outcomes.
Tang
Peter
P
Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA. pt2214@columbia.edu
Gauvin
Jean
J
Muriuki
Muturi
M
Pfaeffle
Jamie H
JH
Imbriglia
Joseph E
JE
Goitz
Robert J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D051224:Capitate Bone / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000601:surgery*; D050824:Carpal Joints / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D012667:Lunate Bone / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D010781:Photography; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011312:Pressure; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D021361:Scaphoid Bone / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000503:physiopathology