Restricted dart throwing movement for the assessment of wrist functionality

Abstract

A fully functional wrist is essential to perform myriad of movements needed for daily living. Measuring the bio-kinematic performance of the wrist joint in terms of unique motion based dart thrower's motion is a renewed topic that has received considerable attention in the literature. This study focuses on robust implementation of inertial measurements in a wearable platform to capture day-to-day wrist joint motions in real time. The clinical trial examined the ranges of flexion-extension and radial-ulnar deviation movements measured anatomical and oblique planes. Our findings suggest differences in kinematics and functional performance when the hand is restricted and captured the ranges of motions closer to the ranges of motions in anatomical planes measured independently in comparison to the free hand dart throwing. These quantitative outcomes in terms of measurement consistency will form the foundation in understanding the significant changes in wrist joint signatures associated with different scenarios. Thus, the results emphasized the possibility of using restricted dart throwing motion to assess the functionality of the wrist rather than fundamental motions in the anatomical plane.