Distal Radioulnar Joint Kinematics Evaluated Using Ultrasonography During Handstanding in Female Gymnasts.

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Female gymnasts exhibit higher wrist pain prevalence than males.
• Pathological sites in wrist pain vary by age, but DRUJ kinematics differences are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• Analyze DRUJ kinematics during weightbearing handstands in female gymnasts of varying ages.
• Investigate the impact of wrist pain on DRUJ kinematic measurements.

Main Methods:

• Ultrasound assessment of 66 wrists in 33 female gymnasts (elementary, junior high, high school).
• Evaluated radioulnar separation and dorsivolar shift in non-weightbearing and weightbearing conditions.
• Compared kinematic changes between age groups and gymnasts with/without wrist pain.

Main Results:

• Radioulnar separation increased with weightbearing, significantly more in high school students.
• Dorsivolar shift decreased in younger gymnasts but remained stable in high school students.
• Greater radioulnar separation was observed in gymnasts with wrist pain.

Conclusions:

• DRUJ kinematics during weightbearing vary by age in female gymnasts.
• Increased radioulnar separation may contribute to wrist pain biomechanics.
• Findings highlight age-related kinematic differences and pain associations.