Thumb Ligament Anatomy

Introduction no structure in the human body has an anatomy as intricate or a range of motion as complex as the thumb. When the thumb is straight the collateral ligaments are tight and stabilize the joint against valgus force.

Thumb Injuries Your Complete Guide To Diagnosing Thumb Pain

Mri of the thumb.

Thumb ligament anatomy. Accessory collateral ligament and volar plate resists valgus load with thumb in extension. The ligaments and pulleys of the thumb show considerable variability on mri in healthy volunteers. Recognize normal morphologic variations of the relevant thumb tendons and ligaments to facilitate accurate and confident diagnoses of thumb soft tissue abnormalities.

Any hard force on the thumb that pulls the thumb away from the hand called a valgus force can cause damage to the ulnar collateral ligaments. The joint that is affected is called the metacarpophalangeal joint or mcp joint. This tendon also travels along the back of the thumb and helps straighten the thumb but it connects the muscle in the back of the forearm to the bone at the tip of the thumb.

The collateral ligament complex is the main stabilizer of the metacarpophalangeal and the interphalangeal joints of the thumb 1318. The ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal mp joints proximal interphalangeal pip joints distal interphalangeal dip joints and the interphalangeal ip joint of the thumb are all very similar in configuration. The ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint is typically striated and less than 3 mm thick.

Ucl is composed of proper collateral ligament resists valgus load with thumb in flexion. Anatomically the thumb is compromised of the metacarpal connected to the trapezium a carpal bone in the wrist. Skiers thumb is a partial or complete rupture of the ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb.

However their pathology can be different. Valgus laxity in both flexion and extension is indicative of a complete ucl rupture. It is an often encountered injury and can lead to chronic pain and instability when diagnosed incorrectly.

It connects the muscle in the back of the forearm to the bone in the middle of the thumb. Anatomy and spectrum of findings in asymptomatic volunteers. Collateral ligament injuries cause instability of thumb grip and pinch.

Most frequently the ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint is affected 13 13 1821. The concept is similar to that of volar ligament reconstruction except that the tendon is routed obliquely through the base of the thumb metacarpal and exits dorsally approximately 1 cm distal to the articular surface and perpendicular to the plane of the thumbnail. This first metacarpal connects to the proximal phalanx.

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