title: Metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal flexion of the thumb: influence of sex and age, relation to ligamentous injury.
abstract: The flexion of the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of both thumbs of 101 normal controls and of 10 patients with ligamentous injuries was measured. There is a close correlation between dominant and nondominant thumbs. With advancing age mobility of both joints decreases significantly. Stiffer joints are more vulnerable to ligamentous injuries.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Pellenberg, Department of Orthopaedics, K.U. Leuven, Pellenberg, Belgium.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Smet
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Urlus
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spriet
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fabry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012737:Sex Factors; D013933:Thumb