This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal My Folders Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ferris, B. D. Articles by Zamora, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ferris, B. D. Articles by Zamora, J.

Kinematics of the wrist

EVIDENCE FOR TWO TYPES OF MOVEMENT

Department of Orthopaedics, Barnet General Hospital, Wellhouse Lane, Barnet, Hertfordshire EN5 3DJ, UK.

J. Stanton, FRCS, Specialist Registrar

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 4LP, UK.

J. Zamora, FRCS, Specialist Registrar

Southend General Hospital, Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff on Sea, Essex SS0 0RY, UK.

Correspondence should be sent to Mr B. D. Ferris at 119 Green Lane, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 8EL, UK.

We enrolled 34 normal volunteers to test the hypothesis that there were two types of movement of the wrist. On lateral radiographs two distinct patterns of movement emerged. Some volunteers showed extensive rotation of the lunate with a mean range of dorsiflexion of 65°, while others had a mean range of 50°. The extensive rotators were associated with a greater excursion of the centre of articulation of the wrist. It is suggested that dynamic external fixation of a fracture of the distal radius carries with it the risk of stretching the ligaments or causing volar displacement at the site of the fracture.