Effect of wrist-wearing distal radioulnar joint stabilizer on distal radioulnar joint instability using a forearm finite element model

Abstract

Instability of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) is a common clinical problem due to a fall on the outstretched hand or unexpected forcible wrist rotations. Although there are many surgical treatments available for DRUJ instabilities, many of injuries can be managed conservatively, such as the wrist-wearing DRUJ stabilizer to provide the stability of the joint. However, there is a lack of research regarding use of the stabilizer on wrist joint biomechanics. In this study, a finite element (FE) model of the forearm was developed to investigate the effects of the stabilizer on DRUJ stability. The effect of the stabilizer on joint stability was quantified by laxity and rotation tests. Our results showed that use of a stabilizer may help to provide stability for the joint by reducing dorsal-volar translation of the radius and ulna, which might be helpful to prevent reoccurrence of a wrist joint injury related with instability.