Thumb Anatomy Ligaments

Thumb collateral ligament injury. The ligaments and pulleys of the thumb show considerable variability on mri in healthy volunteers.

Orthopedics Center Penn State Hershey Medical Center

These ligaments are best seen on sagittal mr images of the thumb.

Thumb anatomy ligaments. This tendon travels along the back of the thumb and helps straighten the thumb. 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. Extensor pollicis brevis.

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. Chase hand and upper limb center at stanford university andrew y. It allows the thumb to act like a post.

The ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint is typically striated and less than 3 mm thick. They are responsible for reinforcing the thumb. Flexion and extension occur parallel to the palm of the hand.

These ligaments are best seen on sagittal mr images of the thumb. Zhang md 1 sarah van nortwick ba 1 elisabet hagert md 1 2 and amy l. 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. Eponyms for ulnar collateral ligament ucl injury are gamekeepers thumb for chronic injury.

This helps connect the thumb to the hand on the side near the index finger. When the thumb is straight the collateral ligaments are tight and stabilize the joint against valgus force. The dorsal ligaments comprise the dorsal radial ligament posterior oblique ligament and intermetacarpal ligament fig 1.

There are four thumb tendons. This tendon helps you bend the thumb. The radial collateral ligament is on the other side of the thumb.

Skiers thumb for acute injury. This tendon helps you move the thumb away from the palm to form an open hand. The thumb is the first of the hands five digits but it is typically not referred to as a finger.

The thumb possesses a unique and wide range of motion not shared by the hands other digits. Thumb collateral ligament injuries include radial collateral ligament rare. The radial collateral ligament is injured in forced adduction and leads to instability and eventually degeneration.

The most common ligament to be injured in the thumb is the ulnar collateral ligament. The thumb joint has two collateral ligaments as well as the capsule which is lined by a synovial membrane. The joint that is affected is called the metacarpophalangeal joint or mcp joint.

Anatomy and spectrum of findings in asymptomatic volunteers. Joint capsule of the thumb. Mri of the thumb.

The collateral ligaments are called the anterior and posterior ligaments. Thumb carpometacarpal ligaments inside and out. A comparative study of arthroscopic and gross anatomy from the robert a.

Science Source Sprained Finger Thumb Illustration