Thumb Anatomy Ligaments

The dorsal ligaments comprise the dorsal radial ligament posterior oblique ligament and intermetacarpal ligament fig 1. Thumb carpometacarpal ligaments inside and out.

Sprained Thumb

There are four thumb tendons.

Thumb anatomy ligaments. The radial collateral ligaments of the thumb mp are also injured at a higher rate than finger mp or ip joints but are less common than the ulnar collateral ligament. The radial collateral ligament is injured in forced adduction and leads to instability and eventually degeneration. The ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint is typically striated and less than 3 mm thick.

Eponyms for ulnar collateral ligament ucl injury are gamekeepers thumb for chronic injury. Chase hand and upper limb center at stanford university andrew y. This tendon travels along the back of the thumb and helps straighten the thumb.

The ligaments and pulleys of the thumb show considerable variability on mri in healthy volunteers. This helps connect the thumb to the hand on the side near the index finger. A comparative study of arthroscopic and gross anatomy from the robert a.

Joint capsule of the thumb. The thumb possesses a unique and wide range of motion not shared by the hands other digits. Mri of the thumb.

The thumb joint has two collateral ligaments as well as the capsule which is lined by a synovial membrane. The thumb is the first of the hands five digits but it is typically not referred to as a finger. 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 collateral ligaments are called the anterior and posterior ligaments. Thumb collateral ligament injury. These ligaments are best seen on sagittal mr images of the thumb.

Anatomy and spectrum of findings in asymptomatic volunteers. Zhang md 1 sarah van nortwick ba 1 elisabet hagert md 1 2 and amy l. The radial collateral ligament is on the other side of the thumb.

The joint that is affected is called the metacarpophalangeal joint or mcp joint. Skiers thumb for acute injury. Thumb collateral ligament injuries include radial collateral ligament rare.

The most common ligament to be injured in the thumb is the ulnar collateral ligament. This tendon helps you move the thumb away from the palm to form an open hand. Flexion and extension occur parallel to the palm of the hand.

Extensor pollicis brevis. Ladd md 1. Ulnar collateral ligament most common.

Injury to this ligament is sometimes called skiers thumb because it is a common injury from a ski pole. When the thumb is straight the collateral ligaments are tight and stabilize the joint against valgus force. They are responsible for reinforcing the thumb.

These ligaments are best seen on sagittal mr images of the thumb. It allows the thumb to act like a post. This tendon helps you bend the thumb.

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