Tensile properties of the interosseous membrane of the human forearm

The interosseous membrane is a structure deep in the forearm and contains a ligamentous region-the "central band". In this study, the tensile properties of the central band were determined. The central band structure had a stiffness of 13.1/spl plusmn/3.0 N/mm per mm width and an ultimate load of 56.6/spl plusmn/15.1 N per mm width (means/spl plusmn/standard deviations). The central band tissue displayed a modulus of 608.1/spl plusmn/160.2 MPa and an ultimate tensile strength of 45.1/spl plusmn/10.3 MPa. This study demonstrates that the central band is comprised of strong tissue.