Association between parasport participation and hand function in wheelchair users with chronic spinal cord disorders: a cross-sectional pilot study

Wheelchair users with chronic spinal cord disorders who participate in parasports reportedly experience more severe chronic wrist pain or triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries. Their activities include parasport participation and wheelchair use in daily life. Hence, clarifying the association between parasport participation on hand function and distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability is essential to avoid overestimation or underestimation of the involved risk. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between parasport participation and hand function as well as DRUJ instability in wheelchair users with chronic spinal cord disorders. Wrists of wheelchair users with chronic spinal cord disorders were evaluated using force-monitor ultrasonography. Hand function was evaluated by measuring the range of motion (ROM) and muscle strength for wrist flexion, extension, radial and ulnar deviation, as well as grip strength, arm and forearm circumference, and DRUJ instability using the ballottement test. The Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand was used to assess difficulties and pain experienced during daily life activities and parasport participation. Overall, 30 wrists of 15 wheelchair users (mean age, 58.3 years; range, 33–76 years) were evaluated. Neither DRUJ instability nor hand function, including ROM and muscle strength, significantly differed between the parasport participants (n = 6; 12 wrists) and non-participants (n = 9; 18 wrists). Among the small number of wheelchair users with chronic spinal cord disorders investigated in the present study, no association was observed between parasport participation and either DRUJ instability or hand function. These findings suggest that recreational parasport participation may not adversely affect hand function in wheelchair users. The protocol was registered with the University hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000043343) [Date of first registration: 02/16/2021].