THE EFFECT OF WRIST DEVIATION ON GRIP AND PINCH STRENGTH

The effect of wrist deviation on grip and pinch strength was evaluated in 12 normal right-handed adults, Wrist positions of neutral, maximal ulnar (average, 41 degrees), and maximal radial deviation (average, 2 6 degrees) were held in short-arm casts while grip and key and tip pin ch were measured, Wrist position was neutral with respect to flexion a nd extension, A highly significant effect of wrist deviation on grip s trength was found (p < 0.0001), The effect on pinch strength was not s tatistically significant, Wrist deviation deformities arise in several clinical situations, such as radial clubhand and malunions of the dis tal radius, A loss of grip strength was found in radial deviation in t his study. This would support 1 of the premises for surgical correctio n of such deviation by centralization or osteotomy.