Superior & Inferior Radioulnar Joints

Superior Radioulnar joint

• Formed by ulnar radial notch,annular ligament,
capitulum, and head of radius
• Annular ligament encircles the rim of head
Inferior Radioulnar joint
• Formed by ulnar notch of radius,articular

disk and head of ulna

• Articular disk is referred to as triangular

fibrocartilage (TFC)
Ligaments:
2. Annular ligament
3. Quadrate ligament
4. Oblique cord
5. Dorsal and palmar radioulnar ligament
6. Interosseous membrane

 
Radioulnar articulation:
• Proximal and Distal radioulnar joints are

mechanically linked
• Motion at one joint is always linked by

motion at another joint

• The distal radioulnar joint is functionally

linked to the wrist, hence compressive loads

are transmitted from the hand through the
joint to the radius and ulna
Axis Of Motion:
• The axis of radioulnar joint is a long axis

extending from the center of the radial head

to the center of the ulnar head
• In supination both bones lie parallel to each

other where as in pronation radius crosses

over ulna
During pronation, the following five motions take
place:
c. Radius crosses over the ulna at the superior
radioulnar joint
d. Head of the radius spins within the
osteoligamentous exposure formed by the radial
notch and annular ligament
e. Radial head spins on the capitulum
f. Concave ulnar notch slides around the ulnar
head at the inferior radioulnar joint
g. The articular disk twists at the apex and sweeps
below the ulnar head
• There is minimal contact between the
articulating surfaces when the forearm is in
Supination/pronation
• Optimal contact occurs when the forearm is
in midprone
• There is negligible motion at the proximal
ulna during pronation
• The distal ulnar head moves distally and
dorsally in Pronation and proximally and
medially in Supination
RANGE OF MOTION:
• Total range of motion is 150° & is always
assessed with elbow in 90° flexion
• This position helps to check the rotations at the
radioulnar joint and avoids rotations at the
glenohumeral joint
 Factors checking forearm pronation
5. Bone approximation
6. Dorsal radioulnar ligament
7. Posterior fibers of MCL of the elbow
 Factors checking forearm supination
9. Palmar radioulanr ligament
10. Quadrate ligament

11. Interosseous membrane

Stability:
Proximal Radioulnar joint:
Ligaments:
• Annular & quadrate ligament

• Oblique cord

• Interosseous membrane

Muscles:
• Passive tension in biceps

• Pronator teres
Distal Radioulnar joint:
Ligaments:
• Interosseous membrane

• Dorsal radioulnar ligament

• Palmar radioulnar ligament

• Triangular fibrocartilage

• Joint capsule

Muscles:
• Pronator quadratus

• Pronator teres

• Extensor carpi ulnaris

• Anconeus
Muscles:
Pronator teres,Pronator quadratus, Biceps Brachii &
Supinator
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITIES (ADL) :
• Most activities of daily living require a

combination of motion at the elbow and radioulnar

joints
• A total of 100° of elbow flexion with 100° of

supination/pronation is comfortable for simple

tasks
• A range of 30-130° of elbow flexion with 50° of

pronation & 55° of supination to allow the normal

functioning of the hand
Compression Injury:

Distraction Injury:
 Valgus/Varus Injury:

Cubital Tunnel syndrome: