The Role of the Antebrachiocarpal Ligaments in the Prevention of Hyperextension of the Antebrachiocarpal Joint

Abstract

Magnusson L-E, Ekman S: Osteoarthrosis of the antebrachiocarpal joint of 7 riding horses. Acta vet. scand. 2001, 42, 429-434.-Osteoarthrosis (OA) of the antebra-chiocarpal joint from 7 riding horses is described. The horses were old mares and developed severe OA, with ankylosis in some of the joints. The lesions were bilateral, and the owners noticed the lameness in a late event. The cause of severe OA in these mares is not clear. The fact that OA was bilateral indicates that a single traumatic injury is unlikely as an etiologic factor. Considering the severe joint lesions it took long time before the horse-owners noticed the lameness. It is discussed if the threshold of pain is higher in the antebrachiocarpal joint compared with the middle carpal joint.

Three‐dimensional kinematics of the canine carpal bones imaged with computed tomography after ex vivo axial limb loading and palmar ligament transection

“…The role of the palmar antebrachiocarpal stabilizers, as it has been discussed in the current literature, remains unclear. One study reported alterations in carpal extension after transection of both the palmar antebrachiocarpal ligaments, with similar effects produced by medial and lateral collateral ligament transection . Another subjective report proposed a predominant role of the PUL in limiting dorsal and palmar drawer of the manus .…”

“…The wide standard deviation in grouped load measurements for each ligament transection condition indicate interspecimen variation in load. As such, this measurement was used to determine whether ligament transection was associated with an effect on load . The viscoelastic phenomenon of mechanical creep was evident when forces imparted by the limb to the baseplate of the jig were measured, in that these forces gradually but continuously decreased during the time that the limbs were maintained in position.…”

“…Although the antebrachiocarpal joint contributes most to flexion and extension of the canine carpus, the role and importance of the ligamentous structures at this articulation have been reported infrequently . The palmar radiocarpal ligament (PRL) and the palmar ulnocarpal ligament (PUL), in combination with the collateral ligaments, have been found to limit extension of the antebrachiocarpal joint under a defined weight of 2 kg in a cadaveric model . Another observational study in dogs reported that transection of both of the PRL and PUL resulted in palpable dorsal and palmar instability of the manus in flexion and extension and mild hyperextension of the antebrachiocarpal joint .…”

Effect of distal ulnar ostectomy on carpal joint stability during weight bearing in the dog

“…We elected to remove the variability associated with the elbow angle and motion by loading the ulna directly. Another possibility of loading the antebrachium would have been to embed the proximal radius and ulna in acrylic, as previously reported . However, we intended to preserve pronation and supination.…”

“…In our study, carpal angle was maintained at 190° ± 5° during testing. In one study, transection of the lateral collateral ligaments resulted in hyperextension of approximately 2° compared to the intact carpus . Ulnectomy with styloid excision essentially results in excision of the lateral collateral ligaments of the carpus and thus is also likely to cause slight hyperextension of the carpus.…”