title: Theoretical distribution of load in the radius and ulna carpal joint.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to validate a model for the analysis of the load distribution through the wrist joint, subjected to forces on the axes of the metacarpals from distal to proximal for two different mesh densities.
  
  
  METHODS
  To this end, the Rigid Body Spring Model (RBSM) method was used on a three-dimensional model of the wrist joint, simulating the conditions when making a grip handle. The cartilage and ligaments were simulated as springs acting under compression and tension, respectively, while the bones were considered as rigid bodies. At the proximal end of the ulna the movement was completely restricted, and the radius was allowed to move only in the lateral/medial direction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With these models, we found the load distributions on each carpal articular surface of radius. Additionally, the results show that the percentage of the applied load transmitted through the radius was about 86% for one mesh and 88% for the coarser one; for the ulna it was 21% for one mesh and 18% for the coarser.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The obtained results are comparable with previous outcomes reported in prior studies. The latter allows concluding that, in theory, the methodology can be used to describe the changes in load distribution in the wrist.
authors: Departament of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Numerical Methods and Modeling Group Research (GNUM), Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; Biomimetics Laboratory, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors: Kalenia
authors: K
authors: Márquez-Florez
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors: Enrique
authors: E
authors: Vergara-Amador
authors: Department of Structural Engineering, Universidade Federal do Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors: Estevam Barbosa
authors: EB
authors: de Las Casas
authors: Departament of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Numerical Methods and Modeling Group Research (GNUM), Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; Biomimetics Laboratory, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia. Electronic address: dagarzona@unal.edu.co.
authors: Diego A
authors: DA
authors: Garzón-Alvarado
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000473:pathology; D050824:Carpal Joints / Q000473:pathology*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000473:pathology; D019245:Compressive Strength; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D011312:Pressure; D011884:Radius / Q000473:pathology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014457:Ulna / Q000473:pathology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D014953:Wrist / Q000473:pathology; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands
keywords: Biomechanics of the wrist; Carpal mechanics; Joint analysis; Load transmission; Radius; Ulna