MECHANORECEPTORS IN THE PALMAR WRIST LIGAMENTS

Three palmar wrist ligaments from fresh human cadavers were dissected from the proximal to the distal insertions and stained to identify the mechanoreceptors, Golgi organs, Pacinian corpuscles, Ruffini endings and free nerve endings were present in all three ligaments, In the rad ial collateral and radiolunate ligaments they were found in increased density towards the proximal and distal insertions, A more uniform dis tribution was found in the radioscaphocapitate ligament which has atta chments to three bones. The palmar wrist ligaments may have a signific ant sensory role in maintaining the stability of the wrist and in cont rolling its movement, Although technically difficult, the surgical rep air of traumatic wrist defects should attempt to preserve the innervat ion of the ligaments, shown to be mainly near bony attachments, This m ay allow improvement in postoperative outcomes by preserving some prop rioception, In some painful post-traumatic or degenerative conditions, however, denervation may be advantageous.