Method and apparatus for positioning a forearm for imaging and analysis

A method for repeatably positioning and stressing a forearm of a subject for scanning, imaging, or other examination, the method comprising:

• restraining the forearm of the subject in a stationary position;
• disposing a rotatable member within the reach of the hand of the subject;
• selectively prompting the subject to move the rotatable member between a rest position and at least one rotation angle;
• and
• scanning the forearm in the rest position and the rotation angle.

An apparatus for repeatably positioning and applying a torque to a forearm of a subject for scanning, imaging, or other clinical examination, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame;
• a support channel coupled to the frame, the support channel being sized and dimensioned to receive the forearm of the subject;
• a rotatable handle, the handle being coupled to the frame at a distance from the support channel selected to allow the subject to grip the handle;
• and
• a lock coupled to the rotatable handle, the lock being selectively activated to limit rotation of the rotatable handle to a predefined rotational angle around each of a plurality of selected rotational angles, the lock providing a counteractive force against rotation of the rotatable member by the subject wherein the subject can provide a torque on the handle;