Direct traction device for wrist magnetic resonance (MR) imaging

To evaluate the distraction effect, intrinsic structure visibility, and wearability of a novel direct wrist traction device for wrist magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

A total of 34 healthy subjects underwent wrist MR imaging initially without traction and then with traction using a direct traction device and were enrolled in this study. Joint space width, articular cartilage visibility, intrinsic ligaments and triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) visibility, and lesion detection were assessed before and after traction. A 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire was used to assess pain during MRI. Paired sample t-test and marginal homogeneity test were used to compare joint space width, articular cartilage and intrinsic ligament visibility before and after traction, respectively.

Mean joint space width was 0.7 ± 0.34 mm wider after traction (adjusted P < 0.001). Articular cartilage visibility improved at the radiolunate, scaphocapitate, and lunocapitate joints after traction (all adjusted P < 0.001). Intrinsic ligaments and TFCC lesion detection tended to improve following traction with improved visibility. Twenty-one (62%) of 34 subjects had no wrist pain during traction while 13 (38%) had an average increase of 2.6 VAS points in wrist pain. No subjects had shoulder or neck pain.

This direct traction device effectively distracts the wrist joint, which may potentially improve articular cartilage visibility as well as the detection of intrinsic ligament and TFCC lesions.