title: The Effect of Midcarpal Versus Total Wrist Fusion on the Hand's Load Distribution During Gripping.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the total grip force and load distribution of the hand with midcarpal fusion (MCF) and total wrist fusion (TWF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients with unilateral TWF and 12 patients with unilateral MCF were assessed at an average 64 months (range, 19-100 months) postoperatively. The total grip force and load distribution of both hands were measured by the Manugraphy system using 3 cylinder sizes. The load applied to 7 anatomical areas of the hand during cylinder grip was analyzed, comparing the operated and the nonsurgical hands.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the 100 mm and 150 mm cylinders, a significantly lower total grip force was found in hands operated with either TWF or MCF. For the 200 mm cylinder, there was a significant difference between nonsurgical hands and those with MCF but not between nonsurgical hands and those with TWF. For the 100 mm cylinder, the difference between nonsurgical and operated hands was greater in hands with TWF than those with MCF. For the load distribution of the hand, no differences between the operated and the nonsurgical hand were found for either MCF or TWF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MFC and TWF resulted in a reduced cylinder grip force. With respect to the load distribution, neither procedure influenced the relative contribution that each area of the hand produced during cylinder grip.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic III.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Hand Surgery, Rhön Klinikum AG, Bad Neustadt/Saale, Germany. Electronic address: muehldorfer3@gmx.de.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mühldorfer-Fodor
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Hand Surgery, Rhön Klinikum AG, Bad Neustadt/Saale, Germany.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reger
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Hand Surgery, Rhön Klinikum AG, Bad Neustadt/Saale, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg van
authors.initials: Jv
authors.lastname: Schoonhoven
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mittlmeier
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Hand Surgery, Rhön Klinikum AG, Bad Neustadt/Saale, Germany.
authors.forename: Karl Josef
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Prommersberger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D021361:Scaphoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Grip force; Manugraphy system; load distribution; sensor matrix; wrist fusion