Ultrasound Evaluation of the Transverse Movement of the Flexor Pollicis Longus Tendon on the Distal Radius during Wrist and Finger Motion in Healthy Volunteers.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the kinematics of the flexor pollicis longus tendon (FPL) at the wrist by examining the movement of the FPL on the distal radius during various wrist and finger motions using transverse ultrasound in healthy volunteers.

METHODS

Forty-eight wrists of 24 asymptomatic volunteers were examined by transverse ultrasound to observe the location of the FPL on the distal radius at 5 wrist positions (neutral, 60° dorsal flexion, 60° palmar flexion, 40° ulnar deviation, and 10° radial deviation) with all 5 fingers in full extension and full flexion, and isolated thumb in full flexion, respectively.

RESULTS

We found that the FPL was situated statistically significantly more ulnodorsally at the wrist dorsal and ulnar deviation positions, more ulnopalmarly at the wrist palmar flexion position, and more radiopalmarly at the wrist radial deviation-position than at the wrist neutral position with all 5 fingers at full extension. Especially, it moved statistically significantly most ulnodorsally at the wrist dorsal flexion position during finger motion. The FPL moved most statistically significantly ulnopalmarly at the wrist palmar flexion position with all 5 fingers in full extension among all wrist positions during finger motion. During finger motion, the wrist dorsal flexion position induced significant displacement of the FPL to the distal radius and compressed it between the flexor tendons and the distal radius. The average distance between the FPL and the volar surface of the distal radius in the palmar-dorsal direction at wrist dorsal flexion position in all fingers at full flexion was 1.9 mm, the smallest among all wrist positions during finger motion.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant relationship between the transverse movement of the FPL at the distal radius and wrist and finger motions. Our findings indicated that the irritation of the FPL caused by the movement of both the FPL itself and of the flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus is most induced with the wrist in dorsal flexion with all 5 fingers at full flexion compared to other wrist positions during finger motion. This wrist position might be the optimum one at which to evaluate the irritation of the FPL from volar locking plates in patients with distal radius fracture. We believe that our transverse ultrasound results can play a role in the gaining of a better understanding of the kinematics of the FPL. Moreover, they have potential to lead to improved diagnosis of and treatment for fractures of the distal radius and help to minimize the risk of FPL rupture related to volar locking plates.