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How does wrist position affect the length of the distal radioulnar ligament: a three-dimensional image study in vivo?

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Abstract

Purpose

This study was designed to investigate the length changes of the distal radioulnar ligament at different wrist positions and to determine the effect of hyperextension on the distal radioulnar ligament and to find out the most vulnerable position where the distal radioulnar ligament rupture and foveal avulsion.

Methods

We obtained computed tomography scans of the wrists for 12 volunteers including two groups: hyperextension group and hyperextension with maximal rotation group. The images were reconstructed to the three-dimensional bone structures with customized software. The four portions of the distal radioulnar ligament were measured and analyzed statistically.

Results

No significant differences were noted in the lengths of the each portion of the distal radioulnar ligament among neutral position, wrist hyperextension, and hyper-radial extension. From neutral position to hyperextension with maximal pronation, the lengths of the palmar superficial radioulnar ligament (psRU) and dorsal deep radioulnar ligament (ddRU) decreased significantly, whereas the dorsal superficial radioulnar ligaments (dsRU) and palmar deep radioulnar ligament (pdRU) increased significantly. From neutral position to hyperextension with maximal supination, the lengths of the pdRU and dsRU ligaments decreased significantly, and the lengths of psRU and ddRU ligaments changed little.

Conclusions

The factor of hyperextension has little effect on the length of the distal radioulnar ligament and the distal radioulnar ligament may be under great tension at the position of hyperextension with maximal pronation. These findings can provide more information to understand the pathomechanics of the triangular fibrocartilage complex injury caused by a fall on the outstretched hand and can provide information relevant to the distal radioulnar ligament restoration.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the staff of the department of Hand Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Research Center of Jiangsu Province, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University Nantong, Nantong, Jiangsu, China

    Jing Chen, Yu Cheng Sun, Qing Zhong Chen & Jun Tan

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China

    Ai Xian Zhang

  3. Department of Hand Surgery, Hand Surgery Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, 20 West Temple Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China

    Jing Chen, Yu Cheng Sun, Qing Zhong Chen & Jun Tan

Authors
  1. Jing Chen
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  2. Yu Cheng Sun
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  3. Qing Zhong Chen
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  4. Ai Xian Zhang
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  5. Jun Tan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jun Tan.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical standards

The authors declare that the experiments comply with the current laws of my country in which they were performed. The institutional review board approved this study, and informed consent was obtained from all volunteers.

Informed consent

The institutional review board approved this study and informed consent was obtained from all volunteers.

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Chen, J., Sun, Y.C., Chen, Q.Z. et al. How does wrist position affect the length of the distal radioulnar ligament: a three-dimensional image study in vivo?. Surg Radiol Anat 38, 327–333 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-015-1555-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-015-1555-z

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