Journal of Forensic Biomechanics

Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Publications

• Research Article   
  Handcuff Pressure and Risk of Superficial Radial Nerve Injury
  Author(s): Geoffrey T Desmoulin*, Olivia Hetland, Benjamin W Hollins and Theodore E Milner
  
  Background: A number of cases of handcuff neuropathy have been reported in the literature. Specifically, when handcuffs remain fastened around the wrists for a prolonged period there is a risk that function of the superficial radial nerve can be compromised. Although cases of median and ulnar nerve injury have also been reported, they are much less frequent and are usually accompanied by injury to the superficial radial nerve. Methods: We hypothesized that the pressure applied to the superficial radial nerve by tightened handcuffs could readily exceed nerve injury thresholds. To test our hypothesis, we created a physical model of the wrist and superficial radial nerve which allowed us to measure the pressure applied by tightened handcuffs. We tested two handcuff designs and compared the measured pressures to pressures known to produce loss o.. View more»
  

  DOI: 10.35248/2090-2697.22.13.410

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