Wrist weight-bearing tolerance in healthy adults

Abstract

Study design: Cross-sectional.

Introduction: No information is available in the literature regarding the amount of weight-bearing tolerance in a normal human wrist.

Purpose of the study: To establish the normal limits of human wrist weight-bearing tolerance and to determine if gender, age and height are predictors of this weight-bearing tolerance.

Methods: A sample (N = 465) of healthy adults ages 18-64 completed a questionnaire indicating their gender, age range and height. Subjects were instructed in performing a wrist weight-bearing tolerance test using a calibrated analog scale. The amount of pressure that the subject was able to apply to the scale in 3 independent trials was recorded and analyzed.

Results: A strong positive correlation was found between average weight- bearing values achieved through the right and left hands for the subjects of this study, r(463)= .97, P < .001. A 2-way analysis of covariance revealed main effects for both gender (20.9, 95% CI [15.7, 26.0] pounds, P < .001) and age (F(4, 454) = 6.143, P < .001, partial η² = .051). The highest weight-bearing tolerance was observed in males and individuals 25-34 years of age. Multiple regression analysis affirmed that gender, height and age categories of 45-54 and 55 to 64 were all statistically significant predictors of wrist weight-bearing tolerance, P < .01.

Discussion: These results establish normal wrist weight-bearing tolerance values and demonstrate that gender, age and height are predictors of this weight-bearing tolerance.

Conclusion: These results could allow identification of pathologies associated with wrist instability.

Keywords: Wrist injury; Wrist rehabilitation; Wrist weight-bearing norms.