Load transfer characteristics of the wrist. Part I. The normal joint

Comparison of the “Contact Biomechanics” of the Intact and Proximal Row Carpectomy Wrist

“…It is unclear to us whether the high-pressure zone means the scaphoid contact pressure alone or both the scaphoid and lunate contact pressure averaged. In the article by Viegas et al, 20 the examples of Fuji film demonstrate the scaphoid contact to be consistently darker (higher pressure) than the lunate contact, which is consistent with our results. Our scaphoid pressure in all wrist positions averaged 1.4 MPa, and the scaphoid and lunate pressure averaged 1.3 MPa, which are both lower values than those obtained by Viegas et al, 20 despite the fact that our load was twice as great (200 N).…”

“…Also, UltraSuperLow film may more accurately detect contact area because the lowerpressure areas will register on the film as opposed to a less sensitive film, which will fail to detect lower-pressure areas of contact and thus show smaller areas of contact. Another difference in design is our loading technique using wrist flexor and extensor tendons, which contrasts with the loading by Viegas et al 20 through the second and third metacarpals. However, Viegas et al 23 did show no difference in load transfer results between loading through the second and third metacarpals, through all 5 metacarpals, or through weights suspended from the wrist flexor and extensor tendons.…”

“…When we compare our results with those of the literature, there are both supporting and contrasting findings. Viegas et al, 20 loaded cadaveric wrists at 103 N through the second and third metacarpals using Fuji SuperLow film and found the average pressure in the high-pressure zone to be 3.17 MPa. It is unclear to us whether the high-pressure zone means the scaphoid contact pressure alone or both the scaphoid and lunate contact pressure averaged.…”

Ligament Contribution to Patterns of Articular Fractures of the Distal Radius

“…11 Load transmission of the carpus on the radial articular surface has been reported in flexion, neutral, and extended wrist positions. [12][13][14] These anatomical and computer modeling studies have reported that, in a neutral wrist position, load transmission on the radial articular surface is highest at the center or volar rim of both the scaphoid and lunate fossae. In greater degrees of wrist extension, a common position in wrist injuries, these translate to the dorsal rim of the scaphoid fossa and the center of the lunate fossa.…”

Wrist Anatomy and Biomechanics

“…Many researchers 9,16,17 have evaluated the load transfer characteristics in the wrist with various types of carpal instability after ligament injuries. Consistently in these load studies, it was found that the location within the wrist where increased pressure developed correlated well with areas in which degenerative changes developed in patients with the same type of carpal instability or fractures.…”