# FUNCTIONAL FORCES IN NORMAL & ABNORMAL FINGERS

> **NIH NIH R01** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 1992 · $235,295

## Abstract

DESCRIPTION:  (Adapted from investigator's abstract) Force analysis of the
hand requires the development of a normative model for the internal tendon
and joint forces which the finger and thumb joints resist during isometric
pinch and grasp, verification of that model by in vitro and in vivo force
testing, and application of the model to study pathologic conditions which
affect the hand.  Three studies are planned to complete the analysis of
finger and thumb forces and to apply the results to the development of
joint reconstructive procedures including joint prosthetic replacement.
(1) The flexor tendon complex, including the retaining flexor pulley
system, will be studied:  (a) by incorporating a muscle length-tension
relationship into the finger force model, the changes in muscle-tendon
length will be reflected in pathologic force analyses; (b) by measuring the
tendon forces at the tendon pulley interface, the applicants will examine
the effects of sheath and pulley injury or disease that directly affect
tendon moment arms and joint reactive forces.  The longitudinal friction
resistances between the tendon and tendon sheath along the entire pulley
system will also be measured.  (2) The extensor tendon forces will be
studied in order to determine their contributions to the balance of joint
forces.  Three-dimensional geometric changes in the extensor tendon
mechanism will be analyzed as a function of finger joint position and
distributed force between the extrinsic and intrinsic muscles.
Measurements of mechanical properties of the different segments of the
extensor mechanism will also be performed.  An analytic model based on a
finite element analysis of the extensor mechanism will assist in resolving
the extensor tendon force distribution.  This will have application to the
study of clinical problems of ulnar drift deformity, Swan neck deformity,
and Boutonniere deformity.  Proposals for rebalancing of pathologic forces
through simulation may result.  (3) Combining knowledge from previous
studies on joint surface geometry, ligament alignment, joint center of
rotation with the moment arm data of flexor and extensor tendons from the
current proposal, prostheses to replace the thumb and finger joints will be
studied.  Techniques measuring tendon-excursion with respect to joint
displacement will be used to comparatively assess moment arm changes and in
turn predict the ability of different prostheses to duplicate normal finger
and thumb joint motion.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3154937
- **Project number:** 5R01AR017172-17
- **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:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $235,295
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1974-09-01 → 1993-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3154937

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3154937, FUNCTIONAL FORCES IN NORMAL & ABNORMAL FINGERS (5R01AR017172-17). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3154937. Licensed CC0.

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