Four-dimensional CT analysis of carpal kinematics: An explorative study on the effect of sex and hand-dominance

Wrist pathology is often diagnosed by using the contralateral wrist as a comparison of baseline motion and strength. However, recent range of motion studies suggest that females have different carpal motion patterns compared to males and that the dominant carpal bones have different motion patterns. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of sex and hand dominance on in vivo kinematics of the scaphoid, lunate and capitate using four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) analysis in healthy uninjured volunteers. In this prospective study, both wrist of 20 uninjured Caucasian volunteers (11 men and 9 women) were assessed using 4D-CT during active flexion–extension and radial-ulnar deviation. A linear mixed model was used to compare the carpal motion patterns. Sex had no influence on carpal kinematics. Hand-dominance in males did have a significant effect on carpal kinematics. During flexion–extension of the male wrist, more radial-ulnar deviation of the lunate, scaphoid and capitate of the non-dominant hand was seen. During radial-ulnar deviation of the male wrist, radial-ulnar deviation and pro-supination of the lunate was more in the dominant hand. This study provides a better understanding of carpal kinematics and the effect of sex and hand-dominance on the scaphoid, lunate and capitate in uninjured wrists.