Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Measurement of Spatial Stability in Precision Grip
Published on: June 4, 2020
Effects of forearm muscles on carpal stability
G Salva-Coll1, M Garcia-Elias, M T Leon-Lopez
1Department of Hand and Microsurgery, Ibacma Institut and Son Llàtzer Hospital, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. gsalva@ibacma.com
Abstract:
Thirty cadaveric forearms were tested using a wrist testing apparatus specifically designed to investigate the mechanisms of muscle stabilization of the wrist. The specimens were set in a jig allowing the distal row to migrate proximally and to rotate around the pronosupination forearm axis. Five wrist motor tendons (FCR, FCU, ECU, ECRL and APL) were loaded with specific weights. Reactive rotations of the scaphoid, triquetrum and capitate were measured by an electromagnetic motion tracking device. When all five tendons were loaded simultaneously, the capitate supinated and the proximal row predominantly supinated and flexed. By contrast, when the ECU was loaded in isolation, it caused pronation to both proximal and distal rows. The FCR exhibited a mixed effect pronating the capitate and triquetrum, whilst supinating the scaphoid. Based on this, a hypothesis is proposed linking wrist stability to the balance of wrist pronators (ECU and FCR) and supinators (FCU, ECRL and APL).
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