Biomechanics of the hand and wrist

The biomechanics of the hand and wrist represent a subject of immense complexity, and a thorough understanding is difficult because of:

• the series of joints involved, many of which move together to produce composite movements;

• the muscles that power movement often crossing more than one joint and contracting to produce functional movement in concert;

• the role of ligamentous restraints in the wrist and distal radio-ulnar joint;

• carpal and distal radio-ulnar joint (DRUJ) kinematics not being understood fully.