Noninvasive in vivo study on the morphology and mechanical properties of palmar aponeurosis

Abstract

This study aimed to elucidate the overall spatial distribution of palmar aponeurosis (PA) thickness, d, and Young’s modulus, E, through two-dimensional ultrasound and shear wave elastography. Statistical analysis of the collected data of 14 subjects shows that the ICC3,1 of thickness, d, and Young’s modulus, E, is 0.974 and 0.985 separately, which means thickness, d, and Young’s modulus, E, have acceptable retest reliability. According the results of this study, it is concluded that the thickness, d, and Young’s modulus, E, of the PA both exhibit specific spatial dependence. Along the direction from the capitate bone to the four fingers, the thickness, d, and Young’s modulus, E, of the four longitudinal bundles of the PA show a downward trend like Boltzmann's function, with the maximum value at the capitate bone and the minimum values at palmar creases. The determination coefficients (R2) of the thickness, d, and Young’s modulus, E, fitting curves are all above 0.910 in all healthy subjects, whose palmar aponeurosis thickness, d, and Young’s modulus, E, distribution characteristics in space show satisfying consistency.