wrist complex Flashcards
Posterior Glide of Radius on Ulna
Purpose: to increase supination of the wrist & forearm. To decrease pain.
Precautions: do not compress the radial and ulnar arteries
Hand Placement: 1 hand on the distal radius and the other on the distal ulna
Stabilize: the distal ulna & carpal bones
Mobilize: the radius in the posterior direction
Anterior Glide of the Radius on the Ulna
Purpose: to increase pronation of the wrist & forearm
Precautions: do not compress the radial & ulnar arteries
Hand Placement: one hand on the distal radius and the other on the ulna
Stabilize: stabilize the distal ulna and carpal bones as shown
Mobilize: mobilize the radius in the anterior direction
Distraction of the Radiocarpal Joint
Purpose: to increase overall ROM in the radiocarpal joint; to decompress the radiocarpal joint; to decrease pain in the wrist
Precautions: do not compress the radial and ulnar arteries
Hand Placement: proximal hand across the distal ulna & radius; distal hard grasps the proximal row of carpals
Stabilize: distal radius and ulna with proximal hand
Mobilize: overlap index fingers (distal over the proximal); then squeeze distal hand forcing the distal index finger between your hands; this will cause a gentle distraction of the proximal row of carpals on the radius
Dorsal Glide of the Triquetrum
Purpose: to increase the last few degrees of pronation at the UMT joint; to increase mobility in the UMT joint; to decrease pain in the UMT joint
Precautions: discontinue if the pisiform is compressing the ulnar nerve in the Tunnel of Guyon. Meniscal disc injuries are contraindicated for this mobilization
Stabilize: the distal radius and scaphoid, while the opposite thumb stabilizes the distal ulna from the posterior aspect
Mobilize: the index finger placed over the proximal portion of the pisiform. Mobilize the pisiform posteriorly, which indirectly mobilizes the triquetrum posteriorly.
: Dorsal glide of the Proximal Row of Carpals
Purpose: to increase wrist flexion & to increase joint play in the RC joint
Precautions: do not squeeze the wrist too hard and apply a gentle dorsal glide to avoid over-mobilizing.
Hand Placement: proximal hand grasps the distal radius & ulna; the distal hand grasps the proximal row of carpals; place the wrist into slight flexion
Stabilize: the distal radius and ulna with the hand placed proximally
Mobilize: the proximal row of carpals in the dorsal direction by using your index finger and thumb, drawing the proximal row of carpals dorsally
Palmar Glide of the Proximal Row of Carpals
Purpose: to increase wrist extension & to increase joint play in the wrist
Precautions: do not squeeze the wrist too hard and apply a gentle anterior/palmar glide to avoid over-mobilizing. If any neurological symptoms occur discontinue as you may be putting pressure on the median or ulnar nerves.
Hand Placement: proximal hand grasps the distal radius & ulna; the distal hand grasps the proximal row of carpals
Stabilize: the distal radius and ulna with the proximal hand
Mobilize: the proximal row of carpals in the palmar or anterior direction; position the wrist in slight extension.
Radial Glide of the Proximal Row of Carpals
Purpose: to increase ulnar deviation; to decrease pain
Precautions: Do not squeeze the wrist too hard and apply a gentle radial glide to avoid over-mobilizing
Hand Placement: proximal hand grasps the distal radius & ulna; the distal hand grasps the proximal row of carpals
Stabilize: the distal radius & ulna
Mobilize: the proximal row of carpals in the radial direction
Ulnar Glide of the Proximal Row of Carpals
Purpose: to increase radial deviation; to decrease pain in the wrist
Precautions: do not squeeze the wrist too hard and apply a gentle ulnar glide to avoid over-mobilizing.
Hand Placement: proximal hand grasps the distal radius & ulna; the distal hand grasps the proximal row of carpals
Stabilize: the distal radius & ulna
Mobilize: the proximal row of carpals in the ulnar direction
Dorsal Glide of the Lunate on the Radius
Purpose: to increase dorsal glide of the lunate and promote wrist flexion; to reduce an anterior positional fault of the lunate; to decrease wrist pain
Precautions: avoid compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel
Hand Placement: proximal hand stabilizes distal radius; Have the patient’s wrist in slight flexion
Stabilize: proximal hand stabilizes distal radius on the dorsal & palmar surfaces with the thumb and index fingers
Mobilize: distal hand mobilizes the lunate dorsally with the index finger on the palmar surface of the lunate with the thumb on the dorsal surface
Dorsal Glide of the Scaphoid on the Radius
Purpose: to increase dorsal glide & wrist flexion; to reduce an anterior positional fault of the scaphoid
Precautions: do not squeeze too hard and obliterate the radial pulse
Hand Placement: proximal hand grasps distal radius on the dorsal and ventral aspects
Stabilize: the distal radius with thumb & index finger
Mobilize: the dorsal and ventral aspects of the scaphoid with the distal hand
Palmar Glide of the Scaphoid on the Radius
Purpose: to increase palmar glide & wrist extension; to reduce a posterior positional fault of the scaphoid; to decrease wrist pain
Precautions: do not squeeze too hard and obliterate the radial pulse
Hand Placement: proximal hand grasps distal radius on the dorsal and ventral aspects
Stabilize: the thumb & index finger grasp the distal radius
Mobilize: the distal hand is placed on the dorsal and ventral aspects of the scaphoid
Palmar Glide of the Distal on the Proximal Row of Carpals
Purpose: to increase wrist flexion and extension
Precautions: do not squeeze too hard and obliterate the radial & ulnar arteries
Stabilize: proximal row of carpals with your thumb on the palmar surface
Mobilize: distal row of carpals on the proximal row by gently squeezing and applying a palmar mobilization with your thumb on the dorsal surface
Dorsal Glide of the Capitate
Purpose: to increase wrist flexion (1) and wrist extension (2)
Precautions: if the mobilization causes median nerve symptoms, discontinue as you are putting too much pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. Only perform if it is pain free.
Stabilize: the 3rd metacarpal with your thumb & index finger of your non-dominate hand
Mobilize: place your index finger over the palmar surface of the capitate (opposing your thumb of the same hand); Apply a squeeze to the capitate between your thumb and index finger. Then with your other hand (non-dominate) traction or pull the 3rd metacarpal away from the capitate then provide the dorsal mobilization
