title: Intra-articular pressure as a factor in initiating ulnar drift.
abstract: To determine the possible relevance of intra-articular pressure in the production of ulnar drift, metacarpophalangeal joints of fresh cadaver specimens were injected with water to increase the intra-articular pressure. Of the thirty-two joints tested, ulnar deviation was produced in twenty-three, flexion in twenty-four, and simultaneous ulnar deviation and flexion (ulnar drift) in nineteen. In two or three instances, the displacement was in extension or radial deviation. These results suggest that elevated intra-articular pressure may be a factor in the initiation of ulnar drift in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology; D002102:Cadaver; D005385:Fingers / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D011312:Pressure; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D014457:Ulna / Q000293:injuries*; D014867:Water; D014954:Wrist Injuries
chemical_list: D014867:Water