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The optimal location for insertion of the transferred tendon in opposition transfer is controversial. The purpose of this study was to examine 4 commonly used insertion sites into the thumb and determine which maximizes thumb opposition. The flexor digitorum superficialis of the ring finger was used as a donor tendon and was attached in random order to the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) tendon, the APB and extensor pollicis longus, the flexor pollicis brevis (FPB) and dorsal radial extensor hood, and the ulnar extensor hood at the base of the proximal phalanx. As normal opposition was simulated, the minimum distance between the thumb and little finger and the pinch force were measured. The FPB and radial dorsal extensor hood site resulted in the statistically highest pinch force. The FPB and radial dorsal extensor hood and the APB sites had statistically smaller minimum distances between the thumb and little finger than the ulnar extensor hood site. A subjective evaluation of the 3-dimensional thumb path of motion revealed that the FPB and radial dorsal extensor hood site and the APB insertion site allowed the closest approximation of normal thumb opposition. This biomechanical study supports the use of the FPB and radial dorsal extensor hood insertion site or APB insertion site for opposition transfers.

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An anatomic study of the ligamentous structures of the triangular fibrocartilage complex and their attachments on the ulnar styloid was performed using 27 embalmed cadaver wrists. The dorsal and palmar distal radioulnar ligaments of the triangular fibrocartilage complex in each specimen contained a superficial and a deep portion. The deep portion of both ligaments inserted on the fovea of the ulna. The superficial portion of both ligaments surrounded the articular disc uniting at the ulnar-most portion of the articular disc. The tissue that is between the ulnar aspect of the superficial ligament (and integrated on its periphery) and the ulnar capsule is defined as the meniscus homologue. Anatomic variations in the meniscus homologue and the prestyloid recess (the cavity adjacent to the ulnar styloid) were seen in 1 of 3 ways; the narrow opening type in 74% of specimens, the wide opening type in 11%, and the no opening type in 15%. The ulnotriquetral ligament inserted on the palmar-radial aspect of the base of the ulnar styloid and the ulnolunate ligament inserted on the palmar border of the articular disc.

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Measurement of the pressure distribution within the distal radioulnar joint was performed in fresh cadaver forearms at varying positions of forearm rotation. Axial loads of 0 N, 36 N, and 89 N were applied to the wrist flexors and extensors. At neutral forearm rotation and application of 89 N axial load, an average of 12.5% of the sigmoid notch area was in contact with the ulna. Analysis of the pressure plots reveals that in pronation, the pressure was concentrated in the dorsal portion of the sigmoid notch and that in supination the pressure was distributed in the palmar portion.

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The purpose of this experiment was to determine the amount of tissue that must be sectioned to adequately decompress the median nerve during an endoscopic carpal tunnel release procedure. In 6 fresh cadaver forearms, 2 balloons were inserted into the carpal tunnel. The first balloon was filled with saline solution to cause an initial carpal intracanal pressure of 50 mmHg. Pressure measurements were recorded, using the second balloon, at various increments of the flexor retinaculum division at 3 wrist positions (neutral, 35 degrees ; flexion, 35 degrees extension). At all increments of sectioning, carpal tunnel pressures in the neutral wrist position were consistently lowest and the values in 35 degrees extension were greatest. At each wrist flexion/extension angle, the pressure statistically decreased during incremental division of the flexor retinaculum. Incomplete release of the transverse carpal ligament resulted in incomplete decompression in the canal. Sectioning the overlying aponeurosis caused a further significant decrease in intracanal pressure.

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The relative contribution of the scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and capitate to wrist motion was examined in 6 fresh cadaver forearms. A wrist-joint motion simulator was used to dynamically move each wrist through planar and nonplanar motions. During wrist flexion-extension, the motion of the capitate closely followed the motion of the third metacarpal, while the lunate motion was approximately 50% of the total motion; the triquetrum, 65%, and the scaphoid, 90%. Similar differences in motion for these carpal bones occurred during radioulnar deviation and circumduction and dart-throw motions. This suggests that the scaphoid, lunate, and triquetrum do not normally function as a single unit, but that each bone has an unique arc of motion during global wrist motion.

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In conclusion, this study combined three different technologies to simultaneously monitor scaphoid, lunate, and global wrist motion in three dimensions and concurrently collect data on the pressure distribution in the radiocarpal and ulnocarpal joints. This information was collected dynamically in real time while the wrist was moved in reproducible, physiologic cycles of motion. The scaphoid and lunate flex and extend as well as pronate and supinate while the wrist moves in the plane of flexion and extension. There is minimal radial and ulnar deviation of these carpal bones during this motion. During wrist radial and ulnar deviation, the scaphoid and lunate both flex and extend as well as deviate radially and ulnarly. The pressures in the wrist also change as the wrist moves. Pressures in the wrist are not evenly distributed and, during some movements, are localized to specific areas. The data also support the concept that there is a hysteresis effect on both the carpal bones and the pressure distribution patterns while the wrist is moving. The results of this study can provide baseline data to compare with other studies that evaluate various pathologic abnormalities of the wrist joint.

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A computer controlled wrist joint motion simulator has been developed that actively moves forearms from cadavers through cyclic planar flexion-extension motions, planar radial-ulnar deviation motions, and combined motions such as circumduction. Hybrid position-force feedback control algorithms are used to determine the wrist flexor and extensor tendon forces necessary to achieve the desired motions. The simulator was used in a series of 12 fresh cadaver forearms to produce both flexion-extension and radial-ulnar deviation motions and was found to cause repeatable, physiological movements. In these experiments, the extensor tendon forces were greater than those of the flexors, typically by a factor of two.

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A biomechanical cadaver study was performed to evaluate the effect of dorsally angulated distal radius fractures on the distal radioulnar joint. Frykman I distal radius fractures were simulated, and laxity measurements were taken with and without sectioning the triangular fibrocartilage complex and the interosseous membrane. The findings of this study were threefold. First, measured in terms of radial diastasis, incongruency of the distal radioulnar joint occurred with increasing dorsal tilt of the distal radius. It became most dramatic with a change of more than 20 degrees of dorsal angulation of the distal radius. This corresponds to approximately 10 degrees of dorsal tilt of the articular surface of the distal radius, as measured on an x-ray film. Second, increased dorsal angulation caused interosseous membrane tightness and limited maximum pronation and maximum supination. Third, distal radioulnar joint dislocation did not occur until both the triangular fibrocartilage complex and interosseous membrane were sectioned. These results reveal the importance of anatomic reduction of the distal radius fracture and evaluation of damaged soft tissue structures.

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A biomechanical cadaver study was performed to determine the roles of the stabilizing structures of the distal radioulnar joint during pronation and supination. Subluxation and dislocation of the radius with respect to the ulna were evaluated in seven cadaver forearms placed in supination, pronation, and neutral forearm rotation. The amount of subluxation was measured with all structures intact, and after sectioning in various sequences the dorsal and palmar radioulnar ligaments, the distal portion of the interosseous membrane including the pronator quadratus, and the entire interosseous membrane. After sectioning two of any four structures, the distal radioulnar joint remained stable. When the interosseous membrane was disrupted first, the dorsal radioulnar ligament was found to be more important than the palmar radioulnar ligament in stabilizing the distal radioulnar joint in pronation, and conversely the palmar radioulnar ligament was more important than the dorsal radioulnar ligament in supination. Dislocation, and frequently diastasis, occurred only with sectioning of all four structures. This suggests that all four structures contribute to stability of the distal radioulnar joint.

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A biomechanical study was performed on fresh cadaver forearms to investigate the role of the scapholunate interosseous ligament in carpal stability. Scaphoid and lunate motion and radiocarpal and ulnocarpal pressure patterns were continually monitored while the wrist was moved physiologically. Prior to ligament sectioning, it was found that the position of the scaphoid and lunate were dependent on both the wrist position and the direction of wrist motion. Sectioning the scapholunate interosseous ligament caused increased scaphoid flexion, scaphoid pronation, and lunate extension. Pressure in the radiocarpal and ulnocarpal joint was redistributed following ligament sectioning. These findings support the clinical impression that the scapholunate interosseous ligament is an important stabilizer of the scaphoid and lunate.

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The effect of grip on ulnar variance was evaluated in 66 symptom-free wrists of 53 volunteers. Zero-rotation posteroanterior x-ray films were taken of each wrist before and after exertion of a grip force measured with a Jamar dynamometer. The volunteers were randomly divided into two groups. Group I subjects (35 wrists) were asked to exert a constant grip force of 11.3 kg. Group II subjects (31 wrists) were asked to exert a maximum grip effort, which resulted in a mean grip force of 30 kg (range, 22.8 kg to 53.6 kg). Group I demonstrated a mean increase in ulnar variance of 1.27 mm and group II showed a mean increase of 1.95 mm. The minimum increase in ulnar variance observed was 0.25 mm. The changes observed were statistically significant. The results confirm that a relative increase in ulnar variance occurs with grip. There may be an etiologic role for daily activities that involve repetitive grip and forearm rotation in development of the ulnar impaction syndrome.

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The relationship between the amount of force transmitted through the distal ulna and seven radiologically apparent anatomic parameters (ulnar variance, radial tilt, palmar tilt, lunate fossa angulation, carpal height, carpal ulnar distance, and ulnar head inclination) was examined in 58 fresh cadaver forearms. A positive, although very weak, relationship was found between the amount of force and the ulnar variance (r = 0.44). This suggests that a clinically more positive ulnar variant wrist will not necessarily cause more force to be transmitted to the head of the ulna than a wrist with a more negative ulnar variance, primarily because the triangular fibro-cartilage complex is thicker in arms with a more negative ulnar variance. Changes in ulnar variance of a forearm due to ulnar lengthening or radial shortening do, however, dramatically alter the force transmission. No other relationships were found between the ulnar force and the other radiologic parameters.

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Limited intercarpal fusion has been recommended for the treatment of Kienböck's disease. The effects of a simulated scapho-trapezio-trapezoid (STT) fusion and simulated Kienböck's disease on the biomechanics of the radio-ulno-carpal joint were investigated. The percent force, the centroid of the force, and the percent contact area in each fossa were determined. It was found that a STT fusion with the scaphoid in a neutral or extended position unloads the lunate fossa. STT fusion in flexion does not affect lunate load. It is concluded from this biomechanical experiment that STT fusion with the scaphoid in a neutral or extended position unloads the radiolunate joint regardless of the condition of the lunate. This load is shifted to the radioscaphoid articulation.

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In an attempt to explain disability in dorsally angulated malunited distal radius fractures, an experiment was designed to evaluate load patterns about the wrist with varying degrees of dorsal angulation of the distal radius. Osteotomies were made in the distal radius of fresh cadaver arms after a modified external fixator was applied to the radius and load cells applied to the proximal radius and ulna. Pressure-sensitive film was inserted into the radioulnar carpal joint. After a predetermined load was applied to the wrist it was found that the load through the ulna increased from 21% to 67% of the total load as the angulation of the distal radial fragment increased from 10 degrees of palmar tilt to 45 degrees of dorsal tilt. The pressure distribution on the ulnar and radial articular surfaces changed in position and became more concentrated as dorsal angulation increased.

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A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the treatment of five patients with prosthetic knee arthroplasty who sustained a supracondylar femoral fracture of the ipsilateral side. Four of the patients were initially treated by plaster immobilization or traction. Two of the four showed no signs of healing at three months postfracture and had to have open reduction and internal fixation. The fifth patient had primary open reduction and internal fixation. The three patients who were treated surgically regained their prefracture knee rating score. The two who were treated nonoperatively for their fracture had a significant loss in limb function and failed to regain their prefracture knee rating score. Open reduction and internal fixation of these fractures achieves the best results despite the complicating factors of in situ prosthetic components.

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