The Journal of hand surgery
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Wrist distraction is a common treatment maneuver used clinically for the reduction of distal radial fractures and midcarpal dislocations. Wrist distraction is also required during wrist arthroscopy to access the radiocarpal joint and has been used as a test for scapholunate ligament injury. However, the effect of a distraction load on the normal wrist has not been well studied. The purpose of this study was to measure the three-dimensional conformational changes of the carpal bones in the normal wrist as a result of a static distractive load. ⋯ Carpal distraction has a significant (p < .01) effect on the conformation of the carpus, especially at the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints. In the normal wrist, external traction causes twice as much distraction at the lunocapitate joint than at the radiolunate joint.
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In 2005, a prospective clinical trial with a 6-month follow-up demonstrated the efficacy of carpal tunnel release in patients 65 years and older and showed that age is not a contraindication to surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was any further improvement, maintenance of results, or recurrence of carpal tunnel symptoms 5 years after surgery. ⋯ Therapeutic IV.