Influence of forearm rotation on the kinetic stabilizing efficiency of the muscles that control the scapholunate joint. Clinical application in proprioceptive and neuromuscular rehabilitation programs.

This study focuses on the relationship between forearm muscles, carpal ligaments, and their impact on scapholunate joint stability across varying forearm rotations. This is crucial for optimizing pre and postoperative rehabilitation strategies for scapholunate joint dysfunction. Our study aims to understand the kinetic influence of forearm muscles on scapholunate joint instability. We emphasize the significance of forearm rotation to enhance treatment efficacy. We conducted an experimental study to understand how forearm muscles contribute to the stability of the scapholunate joint during different degrees of forearm rotation and we focused on the joint effect of muscle groups rather than individual muscles for treatment protocols. Our findings shed light on the conservative treatment of dynamic scapholunate instability and the postoperative rehabilitation of scapholunate ligament repair. We found that the effect of forearm muscles significantly contributes to preserve stability in the scapholunate joint across various forearm rotational positions. These insights have practical implications for hand therapists, offering innovative strategies to enhance clinical practice. This research underscores the importance of considering forearm rotation when developing rehabilitation protocols for scapholunate joint instability and provides a valuable perspective in line with current rehabilitation principles. • The article is based on four biomechanical cadaver lab studies aimed at investigating the effects of forearm rotation on the muscles and ligaments that stabilize the scapholunate joint. • Forearm rotation affects the alignment of the carpal bones and forearm supination can destabilize the scapholunate joint. • Forearm rotation modifies the efficiency of the scapholunate joint stabilizing muscles: the APL work capacity is maximal in neutral forearm rotation; ECRL and ECRB are more efficient in forearm pronation. • The ECU muscle destabilizes the scapholunate joint in any forearm rotation. • It is important to consider forearm rotation in the diagnosis and conservative pre or postoperative treatment of the scapholunate joint dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]