Abstract
The individual contribution of the distal radioulnar ligaments to dorsal and palmar
translational stability during forearm rotation remains controversial. Furthermore,
the role of the distal radioulnar joint capsule as a restraint and contributor to
stability has not been investigated. A biomechanical study was performed in 11 fresh
cadaver specimens to simultaneously measure dorsal and palmar radioulnar ligament
tension. Joint rotation and radial translation were measured after sequential excision
of the disk, interosseous membrane, joint capsule, and radioulnar ligaments. Results
confirmed that the dorsal ligament tightens during pronation while the palmar ligament
becomes progressively lax; the converse occurred during supination. Translational
stability remained intact at all positions throughout the sectioning sequence until
one of the radioulnar ligaments was sectioned. The most significant increases in translation
occurred after sectioning the dorsal radioulnar ligament in pronation and after sectioning
the palmar radioulnar ligament in supination. Forearm rotation increased significantly
after excising either hemicapsule. (J Hand Surg 2000;25A:341–351. Copyright © 2000
by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.)
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 3,
1999
Received:
September 18,
1998
Footnotes
*No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
**Reprint requests: Lyn D. Ward, MD, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 6431 Fannin, Houston, TX 77030.
*0363-5023/00/25A02-0026$3.00/0
**J Hand Surg 2000;25A:341–351
Identification
Copyright
© 2000 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
