A NONINVASIVE METHOD FOR STUDYING IN-VIVO CARPAL KINEMATICS

Seven uninjured and three injured patients were studied using midsagit tal computed tomographic (CT) images at 10 degrees increments from ful l extension to full flexion. Each injured patient had a confirmed scap holunate ligament tear and normal radiographs. CT bony contours were d igitized, and incremental motion determined using a specifically desig ned automated contour-matching algorithm. We expressed wrist motion as a ratio of lunocapitate (midcarpal) motion, and radiolunate (radiocar pal) motion. In normal wrists, motion occurred equally at the midcarpa l and radiocarpal joints. In wrists with scapholunate ligament disrupt ion, lunocapitate motion increased significantly throughout the are of motion.