This works shows the conceptual development of a finger mechanism for a prothestic hand. Three degrees of freedom of the finger are actuated by single DC motor, characterizing therefore an underactuated mechanical system. Mechanical torque developed by the motor is transmitted to the phalanges through tendons and is converted into flexion and extension torques by means of small pulleys. The ten...

BACKGROUND Non-operative management of midshaft clavicle fractures is standard; however, surgical management is increasing. The purpose of this study is to compare the biomechanical performance of plate versus intramedullary fixation in cyclic bending for matched pairs of cadaveric clavicles. We hypothesized that the biomechanical properties are similar. METHODS Eight sets of matched clavicle...

In this issue, Naylor et al. [1] report on the surface topography of prosthetic phalanges, important research that is increasingly vital to researchers and clinicians alike.[...].

Front cover: Cover image: An embryo of a house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) with cartilagenous skeleton stained blue’. See A.H. Griffi ng and colleagues, ‘Ontogeny the paraphalanges derived phalanges Hemidactylus turcicus (Squamata: Gekkonidae)’, this issue.

Brachydactyly (BD) is a term used to describe inherited anomalies of the hands generally characterised by shortened phalanges or metacarpals. Initially, the brachydactylies were grouped into five different classes (A-E), with three subtypes of A. Later work revised and extended the classification of BD. 3 In type A, shortening is primarily confined to the middle phalanges. Subtype A1 (BDA1, OMI...

Yunis-Varon syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by growth retardation, defective growth of the cranial bones along with complete or partial absence of the clavicles (cleidocranial dysplasia), characteristic facial features, and/or abnormalities of the fingers and/or toes.