title: Thumb joint flexion. What is normal?
abstract: The purpose of this study was to measure the amount of active flexion from a neutral position in normal thumb metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints and compare the results with previously published reports. One hundred and nineteen subjects (238 thumbs) volunteered to have active flexion of the metacarpophalangeal (MP) and interphalangeal (IP) joints of the thumb measured with a computerized Greenleaf goniometer by a certified hand therapist. The mean MP flexion was 59 degrees and IP flexion was 67 degrees. The results of this study suggest that the accepted normal values of thumb flexion should be reconsidered, particularly as a guide for determining impairment.
authors.affiliation: Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dayton, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Bamberger
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nowinski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D013933:Thumb / Q000502:physiology*