Transmission of pressures across the elbow joint

To ascertain the pathway (s) along which forces are conducted from the hand to the humerus in the human cadaver specially designed pressure sensitive transducers were introduced into the radio‐capitular and ulnar‐trochlear components of the elbow joint. A constant force was applied to the hand, and changes in electrical resistance and hence pressure across the elbow joint where recorded. It was observed that 57% of the force applied crossed the radio‐capitular joint while 43% crossed the ulnar‐trochlear joint. The pathway of this force transmission is discussed with particular reference to the involvement of the interosseous membrane.