title: Tensile properties of the transverse carpal ligament and carpal tunnel complex.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A new sophisticated method that uses video analysis techniques together with a Maillon Rapide Delta to determine the tensile properties of the transverse carpal ligament-carpal tunnel complex has been developed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six embalmed cadaveric specimens amputated at the mid-forearm and aged (mean (SD)): 82 (6.29) years were tested. The six hands were from three males (four hands) and one female (two hands). Using trigonometry and geometry the elongation and strain of the transverse carpal ligament and carpal arch were calculated. The cross-sectional area of the transverse carpal ligament was determined. Tensile properties of the transverse carpal ligament-carpal tunnel complex and Load-Displacement data were also obtained. Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA together with a post-hoc analysis (Tukey) and t-tests were incorporated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A transverse carpal ligament-carpal tunnel complex novel testing method has been developed. The results suggest that there were no significant differences between the original transverse carpal ligament width and transverse carpal ligament at peak elongation (P=0.108). There were significant differences between the original carpal arch width and carpal arch width at peak elongation (P=0.002). The transverse carpal ligament failed either at the mid-substance or at their bony attachments. At maximum deformation the peak load and maximum transverse carpal ligament displacements ranged from 285.74N to 1369.66N and 7.09mm to 18.55mm respectively. The transverse carpal ligament cross-sectional area mean (SD) was 27.21 (3.41)mm(2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using this method the results provide useful biomechanical information and data about the tensile properties of the transverse carpal ligament-carpal tunnel complex.
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics Laboratory, School of Science, Institute for Clinical Exercise & Health Science, University of the West of Scotland, Hamilton, UK; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK. Electronic address: u.ugbolue@uws.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ukadike C
authors.initials: UC
authors.lastname: Ugbolue
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK; Institute of Biomedical and Neural Engineering, School of Science and Technology, Reykjavik University, Iceland.
authors.forename: Magnus K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Gislason
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Australia.
authors.forename: Quentin A
authors.initials: QA
authors.lastname: Fogg
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Philip E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Riches
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Rowe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002102:Cadaver; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Carpal tunnel; Carpal tunnel complex; Elongation; Tensile testing; Transverse carpal ligament