Sarcomere length varies with wrist ulnar deviation but not forearm pronation in the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle

Extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) sarcomere length was measured in seven patients using intraoperative laser diffraction. Sarcomere length was measured with the forearm in one of four positions: wrist in neutral with regard to radial-ulnar deviation and forearm in neutral rotation, wrist in ulnar deviation and forearm in neutral rotation, wrist in neutral and forearm in pronation, and wrist in ulnar deviation and forearm in pronation. Two-way ANOVA comparing sarcomere length between the four positions revealed a significant effect of ulnar deviation (p<0.05), no significant effect of pronation (p>0.7) and no significant interaction (p>0.9). These results demonstrate that the axes of forearm rotation and wrist radial-ulnar deviation act independently, at least with regard to the ECRB and have implications regarding the etiology of tennis elbow.