INTERCARPAL KINEMATICS DURING WRIST MOTION

Twenty-two fresh cadaver specimens were analyzed using a three-dimensi onal biplanar roentgenographic kinematic technique to quantitate inter carpal motion. The large number of specimens provided substantial powe r to dramatically optimize the statistical significance of the measure ments. It was confirmed that the bones of the distal carpal row behave as a single, functional unit with Little intercarpal motion and are d irectly linked to movement of the third metacarpal. The scaphoid, luna te, and triquetrum exhibit significant ''out of plane'' motion, noted mainly in relation to the distal row bones. Measurable differences in the kinematics of the proximal row bones, relative to each other, were repeatedly defined.