An indirect method to assess wrist ligament forces with particular regard to the effect of preconditioning

doi:10.1016/0021-9290(93)90358-L

Journal of Biomechanics

Volume 26, Issue 11, November 1993, Pages 1347-1351

https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9290(93)90358-L Get rights and content

Abstract

A method has been developed to calculate the forces that are developed in the ligaments of a joint specimen during motions. This indirect method is needed since direct measurements fail in the case of small ligaments. As an example the small ligaments of the carpal joint are considered. The rationale of the method is that the force generated in a ligament depends on the amount of strain to which it is subjected and on its material characteristics. In the method presented the lengths of the ligaments are determined in vitro at several joint positions by means of röntgenstereophotogrammetry. The zero-force length and the force-elongation relationship are determined on the same ligaments isolated in a materials testing machine.

Over a considerable part of the strain range the measurement errors are relatively small compared to the forces determined, less than 10%. The method is applicable to joints in situations where other measuring methods cannot be used. The present analysis shows, however, that the force values determined are susceptible to preconditioning of the ligaments. In preconditioned ligaments the forces could be up to 50% lower than in the non-preconditioned situation. This suggests that ligament forces may vary considerably in vivo, depending on the extent of preconditioning provoked by a particular function.

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Force ratios in the quadriceps tendon and ligamentum patellae

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Cited by (17)

Mechanical properties of the scapholunate ligament correlate with bone mineral density measurements of the hand
2004, Journal of Orthopaedic Research
The mechanical properties of the scapholunate ligament have been previously examined in small sample sizes, with ultimate load and occasionally stiffness reported. The present study examined 16 scapholunate ligaments in uniaxial extension at two rates and determined stiffness, ultimate load, and stress relaxation properties. Mean stiffness values of 66.4 ± 28.6 N/mm at an elongation rate of 50 mm/min and 94.5 ± 44.4 N/mm at an elongation rate of 100 mm/min were found. Relaxation behavior, determined by the percent load remaining after 100 s, was found to be 68.1 ± 12%. Mean ligament ultimate loads were 357 ± 110 N (n=8). In eight specimens, failure occurred in bone. Positive correlations were observed between bone mineral density of the hand and ligament stiffness, ligament ultimate load, and bone ultimate load. No correlation was observed between bone mineral density and ligament load relaxation behavior. The results provide a comprehensive understanding of scapholunate ligament biomechanics and demonstrate a relationship between bone and ligament properties.
The dorsopalmar stability of the distal radioulnar joint
2000, Journal of Hand Surgery
Citation Excerpt :
The pins were then bolted to an extension system connected with the load cell apparatus on the testing machine. Before tightening the specimen in place, it was preconditioned by translating the radius relative to the ulna in the dorsal and palmar directions a minimum of 20 cycles.26,27 Testing was performed by palmarly and dorsally translating the radiocarpal unit relative to the ulnohumeral unit.
Sixteen fresh-frozen adult human cadaveric upper extremities were used in a biomechanical analysis of distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) stability. The relative contribution to stability of the DRUJ by the surrounding anatomic structures presumed to stabilize the joint was analyzed with respect to forearm rotation and wrist flexion and extension using a purpose-built 4-axis materials testing machine. The dominant structures stabilizing the DRUJ were the ligamentous components of the triangular fibrocartilage complex proper. The major constraint to dorsal translation of the distal ulna relative to the radius is the palmar radioulnar ligament. Palmar translation of the distal ulna relative to the radius is constrained primarily by the dorsal radioulnar ligament, with secondary constraint provided by the palmar radioulnar ligament and interosseous membrane. The ulnocarpal ligaments and extensor carpi ulnaris subsheath did not contribute significantly to DRUJ stability; however, approximately 20% of DRUJ constraint is provided by the articular contact of the radius and ulna. These relationships were consistent regardless of wrist position or degree of forearm rotation. (J Hand Surg 2000;25A:689–699. Copyright © 2000 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.)
Lunotriquetral ligament properties: A comparison of three anatomic subregions
1998, Journal of Hand Surgery
The physical attributes of 3 subregions of the lunotriquetral ligament were tested in a computer-controlled multiaxis testing machine using 12 specimens. This allowed measurement of forces, moments, and displacements when ligaments were subjected to distraction, dorsopalmar translation, proximal-distal translation with a 20 N limit, and rotation with a 0.5 Nm limit. After an intact test run, selected subregions were cut randomly. Together with an additional 12 bone-ligament-bone complexes, specimens were tested to failure with servo-hydraulic load at 5 mm/s. The palmar subregion was thickest (2.3±0.3 mm), the dorsal and proximal progressively less. Intact rotational displacement was 35°±5.1°, dorsopalmar displacement was 1.6±0.4 mm and 1.2±0.5 mm, respectively, proximal-distal displacement was 1.8±0.5 mm and 1.3±0.5 mm, respectively, and distractional displacement was 0.3±0.1 mm. The dorsal subregion provided 62.3%±27.1% of the rotational resistance. The palmar subregion resisted 67.3%±14.1% of palmar translation, while with dorsal translation both regions resisted equally. Rotational displacement increased 15.3°±5.6° after dorsal subregion sectioning. The palmar component failure force was 301±36 N; the dorsal 121±42 N; and the proximal, 64±14 N.
Rotational laxity and stiffness of the radiocarpal joint
1996, Clinical Biomechanics
Objective. To investigate the constraint and potential mechanism of torque transmission across the wrist joint.
Design. In vitro experiment using human cadaveric specimens.
Background. Transmission of torque from the forearm to the hand requires rotational stability at the wrist. Better appreciation of the constraints would have applicability to several clinical problems where the stability is compromised.
Methods. Thirteen fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens were used in this experiment to investigate the rotational laxity and stiffness of the radiocarpal joint in unloaded and axially loaded (100 N) conditions, and three forearm orientations in a neutral, pronation (60 °), or supination (60 °) position.
Results. In pronation or supination, there was no difference between loaded and unloaded conditions in primary or total laxity at a maximum torque of 2.3 Nm. Unloaded specimens showed a mean total rotational laxity of 42.1 °. Supination or pronation of the forearm caused a decrease in laxity with respect to neutral forearm rotation (35 ° and 41.6 ° versus 49.6 ° respectively). The primary rotational laxity accounted for half of the total laxity. With axial compression, total rotational laxity did not change, but primary laxity dropped to 50% of its unloaded value. The primary stiffness was very low — approximately 11% of the secondary stiffness.
Conclusion. The ligamentous structures and the joint articulation restricted excessive axial rotation of the wrist. However, a laxity of approximately 20 ° was identified for normal wrists.
The capitohamate ligaments: A comparison of biomechanical properties
1996, Journal of Hand Surgery: European Volume
The physical attributes of the three capitohamate interosseous ligaments were tested in a computer-controlled multi-axis testing machine using 12 human cadaver specimens. After an intact test run, selected ligaments were cut in random sequence and the test repeated. The remaining ligaments were tested to failure with servohydrolic stress at 5 mm/second.
In the intact joint complex, the average dorsopalmar rotational displacement was approximately 9° in each direction. Under the load limit, the dorsopalmar translational displacement averaged 0.9 mm and 0.5 mm respectively, proximal-distal translational displacement averaged 0.8 mm and 0.4 mm respectively, and distractional displacement averaged 0.3 mm.
Based on the sequential sectioning it was found that the dorsal ligament provided 76% (SD 14) of the rotational resistance with palmar rotation of the capitate and 44% (SD 19) of translational constraint with palmar translation of the capitate. The deep ligament provided 51% (SD 15) of the rotational resistance with dorsal rotation of the capitate and 63% (SD 24) of translational resistance with dorsal translation of the capitate. With proximal-distal translation, the dorsal ligament was the most important constraint in each direction. In resisting distraction, each of the three ligaments was equally effective. Failure testing showed the deep ligament was strongest at 289 N, followed by the palmar at 171 N and the dorsal at 133 N.
Rotational stability of the carpus relative to the forearm
1995, Journal of Hand Surgery
To perform rotational tasks adequately, the rotational laxity between the radius and the carpus must be constrained within a certain limit. The contribution of nine individual capsuloligamentous structures to the rotational stability of the radiocarpal joint was studied using 14 freshfrozen human cadaveric specimens. Torque-rotation curves, with sequential section of the soft-tissue structures, were used to calculate the percentage contribution of each individual structure. The primary pronation constraint was the palmar radioscaphocapitate ligament. The contributions to supination constraint were more complex; the dorsal radiotriquetral ligament was dominant, assisted by the palmar ulnolunate ligament. Structures originating from the ulna changed their major constraint contribution with forearm orientation, whereas those with a radial origin had a constant contribution independent of forearm rotation. Injury of these structures may lead to rotational instability at the radiocarpal level and should be considered when treating carpal instabilities.

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Abstract

References (22)

In vivo tendon tension and bone strain measurement and correlation

J. Biomechanics

Stiffness of the ligaments of the human wrist joint

J. Biomechanics

Mechanical properties of parallel-fibred collagenous tissues

Tensile properties of the medial collateral ligament as a function of age

J. orthop. Res.

In-vitro ligament tension pattern in the flexed knee in passive loading

J. orthop. Res.

Direct in vivo tendon force measurement system

J. Biomechanics

Design and performance of a modified buckle transducer for the measurement of ligament tension

J. biomech. Engng

Measurement of the mechanical properties of ligaments

In-vivo measurement of patellar tendon forces and joint position in the goat model

Stress-strain history relations of soft tissues in simple elongation

Force ratios in the quadriceps tendon and ligamentum patellae

J. orthop. Res.

Cited by (17)

Mechanical properties of the scapholunate ligament correlate with bone mineral density measurements of the hand

The dorsopalmar stability of the distal radioulnar joint

Lunotriquetral ligament properties: A comparison of three anatomic subregions

Rotational laxity and stiffness of the radiocarpal joint

The capitohamate ligaments: A comparison of biomechanical properties

Rotational stability of the carpus relative to the forearm

Technical noteAn indirect method to assess wrist ligament forces with particular regard to the effect of preconditioning

Abstract

J. Biomechanics

J. Biomechanics

J. orthop. Res.

In-vitro ligament tension pattern in the flexed knee in passive loading

J. orthop. Res.

Direct in vivo tendon force measurement system

J. Biomechanics

Design and performance of a modified buckle transducer for the measurement of ligament tension

J. biomech. Engng

Measurement of the mechanical properties of ligaments

In-vivo measurement of patellar tendon forces and joint position in the goat model

Stress-strain history relations of soft tissues in simple elongation

Force ratios in the quadriceps tendon and ligamentum patellae

J. orthop. Res.

Technical note
An indirect method to assess wrist ligament forces with particular regard to the effect of preconditioning