Julia-Ann Lee1, Sreedharan Sechachalam2. 1. Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address: juliaann.lty@gmail.com. 2. Hand Surgery Section, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Studies on grip endurance are scant even though it is an important topic with practical implications. This study compares the effect of wrist position, in the flexion-extension plane, on grip endurance and grip strength. METHODS: Grip strength and grip endurance were quantified bilaterally at 6 different wrist positions (unrestrained, 45°, 30°, and 15° extension, 0° and 30° flexion) in 38 healthy right-handed individuals. RESULTS: Our results show that wrist orthosis significantly reduced grip strength across all positions and the maximum grip strength in the position with an orthosis occurred at 15° and 30° extension for the dominant hand and 15°, 30°, and 45° extension for the nondominant hand. Hand dominance and sex did not significantly affect grip endurance. Using a wrist orthosis did not significantly reduce grip endurance at 45° and 30° extension. CONCLUSIONS: At a position of 30° of wrist extension, maximal grip strength is achieved without significantly compromising grip endurance. This has clinical implications for decisions regarding the optimal position for orthosis and radiocarpal joint arthrodesis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study would aid both surgeons and therapists in facilitating discussion with patients regarding the various therapeutic options in managing wrist pathologies.
PURPOSE: Studies on grip endurance are scant even though it is an important topic with practical implications. This study compares the effect of wrist position, in the flexion-extension plane, on grip endurance and grip strength. METHODS:Grip strength and grip endurance were quantified bilaterally at 6 different wrist positions (unrestrained, 45°, 30°, and 15° extension, 0° and 30° flexion) in 38 healthy right-handed individuals. RESULTS: Our results show that wrist orthosis significantly reduced grip strength across all positions and the maximum grip strength in the position with an orthosis occurred at 15° and 30° extension for the dominant hand and 15°, 30°, and 45° extension for the nondominant hand. Hand dominance and sex did not significantly affect grip endurance. Using a wrist orthosis did not significantly reduce grip endurance at 45° and 30° extension. CONCLUSIONS: At a position of 30° of wrist extension, maximal grip strength is achieved without significantly compromising grip endurance. This has clinical implications for decisions regarding the optimal position for orthosis and radiocarpal joint arthrodesis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study would aid both surgeons and therapists in facilitating discussion with patients regarding the various therapeutic options in managing wrist pathologies.