THE RANGE OF MOTION OF THE METACARPO- PHALANGEAL JOINT OF THE THUMB AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO INJURY

A wide variation in the range of flexion of the metacarpo-phalangeal joint of the thumb in normal individuals is described. Patients with a poor range of flexion at this joint have a signifkantly higher incidence of indirect soft-tissue injury to the joint. Journal of Hand Surgery (British- V&me, 1492) Ii ‘B: 164-166 The range of motion of the M.P. joint of the thumb is variable within any group of individuals (Wilgress, 1898) and, although attempts have been made to quantify this variability, some confusion still exists as to the total range of motion that may be expected at this joint (Brown and McGrouther, 1984). The purpose of our study was twofold: first, to investigate the distribution of range of motion at the thumb M.P. joint in a given population and, second, to ascertain whether any relationship existed between the range of motion of the joint and the type of injury to the joint. Patients and methods Patients attending the orthopaedic out-patients depart-ment over a six-week period were included in the first part of the study. Children under the age of 16 years or those with active inflammatory disease were excluded. These patients had no recent injury to the thumb and were regarded as normal controls. Details of their age, sex and any previous thumb injury or operation were noted on a standard proforma specially designed for this study. The active range of motion at the M.P. and I.P. joints of both thumbs was measured using both a goniometer and a malleable wire and the average of three measurements of each was recorded. For the second part of the study, every patient attending the Accident and Emergency Department with a thumb injury over a two-week period was seen in a special clinic for review. Active thumb movements of the uninjured thumb were recorded as before. Result