Biomechanical Analysis of Hand and Wrist Dysfunctions: Functional Characterization and Emerging Innovations

Dear Colleagues,

The hand is one of the most complex biomechanical structures in the human body. This complexity allows it to perform tasks with high efficiency, requiring both strength and dexterity. However, there are many diseases and injuries that can alter its proper functioning, which can be highly disabling at the individual level and have a significant social and economic impact due to their incidence. When healthy structures have been altered by disease or injury, clinical decisions must be made about the most appropriate treatments or surgical procedures, all in an attempt to restore as much function as possible. In addition, whether or not surgical techniques have been applied, there is often a need for rehabilitative processes, again in an attempt to achieve as much function as possible. This implies the need to have a good understanding of the functional characterization of the healthy hand at all levels (kinematic, neuromuscular, etc.) by analyzing both grasping and functional task performance. This characterization is crucial when both hands of the patient are affected, and therefore no data from the patient's healthy hand are available for contrast.

This Special Issue invites contributions on the application of biomechanical analysis of the hand and wrist for different purposes: (i) for the characterization of the healthy hand as a reference of functionality contrast or for the design of biomechanical hand models capable of representing such functionality; (ii) for the verification of alterations of certain biomechanical indicators in a specific pathology, as well as their implication in functionality; (iii) for the design of implants, orthoses, or other devices for clinical use, as well as for the decision of the best surgical technique to apply; and (iv) for decision-making in rehabilitation practice. These purposes can be approached from a broad range of perspectives, including clinical evaluation, rehabilitation strategies, the development of prostheses, orthoses, or other technologies to enhance functionality, the application of emerging techniques such as artificial intelligence, and other multidisciplinary approaches aimed at improving outcomes and advancing the understanding of hand and wrist biomechanics.

We look forward to your submissions.

Dr. Verónica Gracia-Ibáñez
Dr. Alba Roda-Sales
Guest Editors

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