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The Forearm Joint

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European Instructional Lectures

Part of the book series: European Instructional Lectures ((EICL,volume 13))

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Abstract

The forearm is composed of the radial and ulnar shafts, which are linked by the interosseous membrane and intercalated between the elbow and wrist. The forearm ensures pronation/supination and longitudinal load transfer. The radius and ulna are connected by two anatomical joints, the proximal, and distal radio-ulnar joints. The biomechanical and clinical relevance of the proximal and distal radio-ulnar joints is well established. However we believe the conventional concept in which the forearm is viewed as part of either the elbow or the wrist is outdated and that a more relevant concept describes the forearm as a tri-articular complex that functions as a fully-fledged entity i.e. the “forearm joint”. The middle radio-ulnar joint fulfils crucial biomechanical functions and is of considerable clinical significance and should no more be ignored. New clinical tests and imaging techniques may show its pathology that may require a surgical treatment as the three forearm radio-ulnar joints (proximal, middle, distal) must work together to provide stability, mobility and load transfer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery, Hôpital St Roch, 5 rue Pierre Devoluy, 1319, 06006, Nice, France

    Christian Dumontier

  2. Service de Chirurgie Orthopédique, Hôpital du Kremlin-Bicêtre, 78 rue du général Leclerc, 94275, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France

    Marc Soubeyrand

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  1. Christian Dumontier
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Correspondence to Christian Dumontier .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, HA7 4LP, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    George Bentley

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Dumontier, C., Soubeyrand, M. (2013). The Forearm Joint. In: Bentley, G. (eds) European Instructional Lectures. European Instructional Lectures, vol 13. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36149-4_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36149-4_14

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