Hand (New York, N.Y.)
December 29, 2025 · via Europe PMC
Flexor Carpi Radialis and Dorsal Intercarpal Complex Elongation After 3 Ligament Tenodesis.
Bakker D, Merkens S, Parser N, Colaris J, Kleinrensink GJ, Mathijssen N, Kraan G.
AI summary — for doctors, generated from the abstract only
After three-ligament tenodesis, most elongation occurred in the dorsal intercarpal complex, so early flexion should be limited to 30 degrees.
What was studied
Biomechanical study of 10 cadaveric wrists measuring elongation of the FCR tendon slip and dorsal intercarpal complex and failure patterns.
Key findings
- At 80 degrees flexion the FCR slip elongated 0.96 mm (4.1%) and the DIC 3.75 mm (33.4%).
- Sutures loosened at the proximal DIC in 2 tests (4%) after 30 degrees of flexion.
- No ligament rupture, anchor pull-out or tendon rupture.
Clinical relevance
Informs early mobilisation protocols after the procedure.
Who should care
Limitations
Small cadaveric study without cyclic loading or healing.
Limit wrist flexion to about 30 degrees if early active motion is used.
This is an AI-generated summary of the published abstract, not a clinical recommendation. It may not reflect the full text or subsequent updates — verify against the original source before acting on it.
Abstract
Background
To improve the surgical procedure and rehabilitation after surgery, a better understanding of the biomechanical properties of the 3 ligament tenodesis (3LT) procedure is necessary.
Method
This study examined elongation in relation to flexion, and type of failure after 3LT using 10 anatomic specimens, each wrist undergoing 5 tests.
Results
At 80° flexion mean elongation of the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) tendon slip was 0.96 ± 0.38 mm. Mean elongation of the dorsal intercarpal complex (DIC) was 3.75 ± 0.91 mm at 80° flexion. Relative elongation at the FCR tendon slip was 4.1% and 33.4% at the DIC. In 2 tests (4%), sutures loosened at the proximal side of the DIC after 30° flexion. Ruptures of the radiotriquetral ligament, pull-outs of the bone anchor or FCR tendon ruptures were not observed.
Conclusion
This experiment suggests that following 3LT, the most elongation occurs at the DIC. Since instances of failure were noted at the proximal aspect of the DIC, if early active motion protocols are used, it is recommended to initiate wrist flexion with a limitation to 30° wrist flexion.
DOI
10.1177/15589447251404957
PMID
41457782
PMCID
PMC12747861
Research metadata (titles, abstracts, authors, publication dates) is sourced from Europe PMC, which aggregates content from PubMed/MEDLINE, PubMed Central, and other providers under the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM/NCBI). NLM does not claim copyright on abstracts; the original journal publishers or authors may hold rights to the full articles. AI-generated summaries are derived only from the abstract, never the full text, and are always labeled as AI-generated.
Want more like this?
Browse more from the feed. A free account unlocks the full feed, saving and communities.
Back to the research feed