Biomechanical study of distal radioulnar joint ballottement test

• Published in: Journal of orthopaedic research 2017-05, Vol.35 (5), p.1123-1127
• Main Authors: Onishi, Tadanobu, Omokawa, Shohei, Iida, Akio, Nakanishi, Yasuaki, Kira, Tsutomu, Moritomo, Hisao, Ruxasagluwang, Sompob, Kraisarin, Jirchart, Shimizu, Takamasa, Tanaka, Yasuhito
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ballottement test; Biomechanical Phenomena; biomechanics; distal radioulnar joint; human cadaver; Humans; Joint Instability - diagnosis; Observer Variation; Physical Examination - methods; Wrist Joint - physiology
• ISSN: 0736-0266; 1554-527X
• DOI: 10.1002/jor.23355

ABSTRACT We investigated the reliability and accuracy of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) ballottement test using five fresh‐frozen cadaver specimens in triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC)‐intact, and TFCC‐sectioned wrists. The humerus and proximal ulna were fixed. The ulna was allowed to translate in dorsopalmar directions without rotation, and the radius was allowed to move freely. Four sensors of a magnetic tracking system were attached to the radius and ulna, and the nails of each examiner's thumbs. Five examiners conducted the DRUJ ballottement test before and after TFCC sectioning. We used two techniques: With holding and without holding the carpal bones to the radius (holding and non‐holding tests, respectively). We compared the magnitudes of bone‐to‐bone (absolute DRUJ) movement with that of the examiner's nail‐to‐nail (relative DRUJ) movement. The intrarater intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were 0.92 (holding) and 0.94 (non‐holding). The interrater ICCs were 0.84 (holding) and 0.75 (non‐holding). Magnitudes of absolute and relative movements averaged 11.5 and 11.8 mm, respectively (p