title: Effect of wrist position on distal radioulnar joint stability: a biomechanical study.
abstract: We investigated distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) stability in different wrist positions and examined the relative contribution of each ligamentous component of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) to DRUJ stability. We used nine fresh-frozen cadavers. The humerus and ulna were fixed at 90° elbow flexion. The radiocarpal unit was translated relative to the ulna in dorsopalmar directions with the wrist in five positions. Displacement of the unit was measured by an electromagnetic tracking device. Magnitudes of displacement were compared between different wrist positions in various sectioning stages: ulnocarpal ligament (UCL) sectioning, radioulnar ligaments (RUL) sectioning, and extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) floor sectioning. Wrist position and sectioning stage significantly influenced the displacement. In intact wrists, the displacement in wrist extension was significantly lower than that in neutral. However, after UCL sectioning, there were no longer any significant differences. After RUL sectioning, the displacement in radial deviation was significantly lower than that in neutral. Following ECU floor sectioning, there were no longer any significant differences. Thus, in intact wrists, DRUJ stability in wrist extension is likely due to tightening of the UCL. After complete RUL sectioning, DRUJ is stabilized in radial deviation due to tightening of the ECU floor.
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, 634-8522, Japan.
authors: Akio
authors: A
authors: Iida
authors: Shohei
authors: S
authors: Omokawa
authors: Hisao
authors: H
authors: Moritomo
authors: Shinsuke
authors: S
authors: Omori
authors: Toshiyuki
authors: T
authors: Kataoka
authors: Mitsuhiro
authors: M
authors: Aoki
authors: Takuro
authors: T
authors: Wada
authors: Mineko
authors: M
authors: Fujimiya
authors: Yasuhito
authors: Y
authors: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051478:Triangular Fibrocartilage / Q000502:physiology; D014953:Wrist / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: biomechanics; distal radioulnar joint; triangular fibrocartilage complex; wrist position