# FUNCTIONAL FORCES IN NORMAL AND ABNORMAL FINGERS

> **NIH NIH R01** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 1989 · $194,417

## Abstract

Biomechanical study of normal and pathologic hands will be performed in
three areas to increase basic understanding and clinical application of
hand forces.  The three areas to be studied involve 1) theoretical and
experimental tendon and pulley force analyses, 2) theoretical and
experimental analysis of joint constraint forces, and 3) validation
experiments.  The emphasis will involve analysis of 1) the extensor tendon
mechanism and force distribution, 2) flexor tendon forces and the pulley
system, and 3) kinematics and contact area of articular surfaces.

Extensor tendon anatomy will be carefully studied, and force distribution
will be determined with strain measurements to improve the analytic model.
The study of flexor tendon pulley systems that affect tendon and joint
force distribution will be performed and resultant pulley forces and
pressure distribution will be determined.  The effect of pulley resection
and pulley reconstruction will be examined experimentally and compared with
theoretical and clinical results following these procedures.  The muscle
length/tension relationship will be established based on in vitro and in
vivo experiments.  These data will be incorporated in the model so that
more realistic simulation of hand function with tendon transfers and pulley
resection can be performed.  Ligament-capsule studies will be performed on
thumb MCP and CMC joints using established techniques with application to
the pathomechanics and repair of gamekeeper's thumb and thumb base
arthritis.  The geometry of finger and thumb MCP joint surfaces will be
collected.  The kinematics of MCP joint articulation will be studied
analytically and the joint contact area will be studied experimentally
using arhtrotomography and cross-sectional milling techniques.  This
information will provide the basis for the design of resurfacing
arthroplasties and ligament reconstruction.

Validation of the tendon force distribution will be accomplished by two
experiments.  First, extensor and flexor tendon forces under selected
isometric functions will be directly measured by force transducer during
surgery.  Second, strength evaluation of patients with peripheral
neuropathy and pre and post tendon transfers will be performed.  This data
will have direct clinical application to tendon transfers, pulley release
and reconstruction, and extensor and flexor tendon repair.  The overall
goal of establishing analytic models, validating the results, and expanding
the information to clinical applications will be continued.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3154935
- **Project number:** 5R01AR017172-14
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** Y2K4F9RPRRG7
- **Principal Investigator:** WILLIAM P COONEY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $194,417
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1974-09-01 → 1989-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3154935

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3154935, FUNCTIONAL FORCES IN NORMAL AND ABNORMAL FINGERS (5R01AR017172-14). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3154935. Licensed CC0.

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