Wrist Biomechanics: In the Normal Wrist, Following Injury and After Surgical Treatment

Biomechanical studies have shown that surgical treatments for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis frequently decrease the amount of possible wrist motion, alter the load distribution between the radius and ulna and increase the contact pressure in the wrist joint. Both wrist motion and carpal bone motion are decreased with carpal bone arthrodesis and wrist ligament injury. Relative loading between the distal radius and ulna is altered by ulnar shortening. Carpal bone fusion alters the wrist joint contact pressure. Research continues to be needed to biomechanically examine the consequences of surgical treatments as well as to evaluate the long term clinical consequences of surgery.