Center of Rotation and Hysteresis Quantification in the Wrist Utilizing Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography

Abstract

Background Wrist injuries limit function and can lead to long-term pain and disability. Current interventions aim to decrease pain and restore healthy function; however, healthy function during dynamic motion has not been fully characterized. Four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) can capture dynamic bony motion providing new insight to the dynamic wrist joint.

Materials and Methods Ten young healthy participants were scanned using a 4DCT scanner and three-dimensional (3D) models were made of the radius and carpal bones. Using helical axes and local coordinate systems for the radius, rotations of each bone were measured, and center of rotation was determined. In addition, hysteresis was quantified by measuring hysteresis area, the area between the curves of the forward and reverse motion of the wrist joint.

Results The results showed that the wrist axis of rotation was located more proximal (−15.2 ± 1.3 mm distal) and dorsal (−0.8 ± 2.6 mm dorsal) in extension as compared with the flexion positions (−20.4 ± 1.6 mm distal; 3.9 ± 2.5 mm volar). In addition, no statistical differences were identified between the different directions of motion at each angle of wrist motion, with the exception of the trapezium at 30 degrees of extension. The largest hysteresis effect was noted in the trapezoid (112.8 deg²) and the smallest effect identified in the lunate (46.0 deg²).

Conclusion The results of this study may provide a better understanding of the dynamic nature of the wrist joint for identification of ligamentous injuries and replication of joint motion after surgical intervention.

Keywords

wrist - hysteresis - center of rotation - 4DCT - kinematics

Patients' Consent

The patients had given informed consent for use of their bodies for medical research.

Ethical Approval

Lawson Research Ethics Board (approval ID: 111702). Guarantor: E.L. Trial Registration: not applicable

Authors' Contributions

All authors played a role in the synthesis, completion, and interpretation of the research work. E.N. wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors reviewed and edited the manuscript and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Investigations performed at the Roth McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Center, London, Ontario, Canada.

Publication History

Received: 23 April 2024

Accepted: 06 December 2024

Article published online:
03 January 2025

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