【Abstract】 Objective: To study the anatomical and
biomechanical features of the interosseous membrane (IOM)
of the cadaveric forearm.
Methods: Ten radius-IOM-ulna structures were har-
vested from fresh-frozen cadavers to measure the length,
width and thickness of the tendinous portion of IOM. Then,
the tendinous portion was isolated along with the ulnar and
radial ends to which the tendon attached after measurement.
The proximal portion of the radius and the distal portion of
the ulna were embedded and fixed in the dental base acrylic
resin powder. The embedded specimen was clamped and
fixed by the MTS 858 test machine using a 10 000 N load cell
for the entire tensile test. IOM was stretched at a speed of
50 mm/min until it was ruptured. The load-displacement
curve was depicted with a computer and the maximum load
and stiffness were recorded at the same time.
Results: The IOM of the forearm was composed of
three portions: central tendinous tissue, membranous tis-
sue and dorsal affiliated oblique cord. IOM was stretched
at a neutral position, and flexed at pronation and supination
positions. The tendinous portion of IOM was lacerated in 6
specimens when the point of the maximum load reached to
1 021.50 N± 250.13 N, the stiffness to 138.24 N/m±24.29 N/m,
and the length of stretch to 9.77 mm±1.77 mm. Fracture
occurred at the fixed end of the ulna before laceration of the
tendinous portion in 4 specimens when the maximum load
was 744.40 N±109.85 N, the stiffness was 151.17 N/m±30.68
N/m, and the length of the stretch was 6.51 mm±0.51 mm.
Conclusions: The IOM of the forearm is a structure
having ligamentous characteristics between the radius and
the ulna. It is very important for maintenance of the longitu-
dinal stability of the forearm. The anatomical and biome-
chanical data can be used as an objective criterion for evalu-
ating the reconstructive method of IOM of the forearm.
Key words: Forearm; Anatomy; Biomechanics