Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to analyze three-dimensional kinematics of the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints of the wrist during reverse dart throw motion.
Methods: We analyzed the kinematics of the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints of the wrists of 12 healthy volunteers using CT images. We measured the range and direction of motion for the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints. Paired t-tests were used to compare the results between the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints.
Results: The range of motion of the radiocarpal joint was significantly greater than that of the midcarpal joint. The motion of the radiocarpal joint in the flexion/extension plane was also significantly greater than that of the midcarpal joint. For the midcarpal joint, the motions of the lateral and central articulations were significantly greater in the radial/ulnar deviation plane compared to those of the radiocarpal joint.
Conclusion: The range of motion of the radiocarpal joint was greater than that of the midcarpal joint during reverse dart throw motion. The radiocarpal joint, especially, contributed to the motion in the flexion-extension plane. The midcarpal joint contributed to the motion in the radial/ulnar deviation plane.
