title: Forearm position's alteration of radial-head impingement on wrist-extensor tendons.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lateral epicondylalgia, pain at the lateral elbow, is commonly associated with extensor carpi radialis brevis tendinopathy. The radial head, which abuts the extensor tendons and is elliptical in shape, may affect the extensor tendons during pronation of the forearm. Cadaverous studies have shown that the radial head may act as a cam in pronation, to offer a mechanical advantage to the common extensor tendon and to mitigate load on the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of radial-head position on the wrist-extensor tendons in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated-measures design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  22 participants (12 male, 2 left-handed).
  
  
  METHODS
  Distance (mm) from subcutaneous fascia to radial head measured by ultrasound.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The radial head in supination was significantly deeper than either pronation or midprone, indicating a smaller cam effect in supination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors recommend that the effect of radial-head position and its relationship to the area of tendon pathology be considered clinically in the rehabilitation of patients suffering from lateral epicondylalgia.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Physiotherapy, Monash University, Frankston, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Tom A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ranger
authors.forename: Wendy M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Braybon
authors.forename: Craig R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Purdam
authors.forename: Jill L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cook
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011884:Radius / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013710:Tendons / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014953:Wrist / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology