Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2009):

Ultrasound imaging of normal displacement of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon within the ulnar groove in 12 forearm-wrist positions.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Instability of the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon can be a difficult clinical diagnosis because of normal changes in tendon position during wrist motion. Our goal was to determine the normal variation of ECU tendon displacement in 12 forearm-wrist positions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ultrasound imaging of the ECU tendons of 40 symptom-free wrists of healthy volunteers (13 women, seven men; mean age, 22.3 years; range, 20-25 years) was performed. Each ECU tendon was examined in 12 positions: four wrist positions (ulnar deviation, radial deviation, flexion, and extension) in each of three forearm positions (pronation, supination, and neutral). RESULTS: ECU tendon displacement in the right hand was not significantly different from that in the left, and displacement in men did not differ significantly from that in women. There was a small but significant difference between displacement in the dominant and that in the nondominant hand (p < 0.02). Mean ECU tendon displacement was greatest in the supinated forearm position (p < 0.001) followed by the neutral position (p < 0.001) and was least in the pronated position (p < 0.001). Both ulnar deviation (p < 0.001) and flexion (p < 0.002) were associated with greater ECU tendon displacement than were radial deviation (p < 0.001) and extension (p < 0.002). Maximum percentage displacement volar to the ulnar border of the groove was 50% in flexed supination and ulnar deviation. The maximum displaced distance volar to the ulnar border of the groove was 5 mm. CONCLUSION: Sonographic evaluation of the ECU tendon is simple and practical. Knowledge of normal ECU displacement relative to the ulnar groove may help in evaluation of ulnar-sided wrist pain.

Author information

Author/s: Lee, Kenneth S (KS); Ablove, Robert H (RH); Singh, Steven (S); De Smet, Arthur A (AA); Haaland, Benjamin (B); Fine, Jason P (JP);

Affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave., CSC E3/311, Madison, WI 53792-3252, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: AJR. American journal of roentgenology (AJR Am J Roentgenol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 193 (issue 3) : pp 651-5

Dates: Created 2009/08/21; Completed 2009/09/29;

PMID: 19696277, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/29/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Female Forearm - ultrasonography Humans Image Processing, Computer-Assisted Male Posture

Posture Reference Values Tendons - ultrasonography Ulna - ultrasonography Wrist Joint - ultrasonography Young Adult

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