Kinematics of the trapeziometacarpal joint after sectioning of ligaments

Toshihiko Imaeda, Glen Niebur, Kai‐Nan ‐N An, William P. Cooney

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the roles of ligaments in the maintenance of the articular kinematics of the trapeziometacarpal joint. Circumduction of the trapeziometacarpal joint was studied in 12 hands from fresh human cadavera. With use of a magnetic tracking system, changes in the motion of the base of the first metacarpal after ligament sectioning were analyzed and compared with those of the normal joint. Two sets of ligaments were sectioned: (a) the anterior oblique and ulnar collateral ligaments and (b) the first intermetacarpal ligament and the ulnar joint capsule. Sectioning of the anterior oblique and ulnar collateral ligaments resulted in a significant dorsal‐ulnar shift in the path of the base of the first metacarpal. However, sectioning of the first intermetacarpal ligament did not affect the movement pattern of the center of the base. The anterior oblique and ulnar collateral ligaments provided constraint of the trapeziometacarpal joint during circumduction of the thumb.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)205-210
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Orthopaedic Research
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1994

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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