Normal range-of-motion of trapeziometacarpal joint.
OBJECTIVE
The range-of-motion of the trapeziometacarpal joint is difficult to assess clinically. The purpose of our study was to constitute a range-of-motion database from normal active trapeziometacarpal joints.


METHODS
Two hundred hands from 101 healthy subjects (50 female and 51 male) with a mean age of 23.1 years (range: 22 to 35 years) have been evaluated. An optoelectronic device (Polaris) was used to analyse the thumbs range-of-motion. Splints were fitted so as to isolate the trapeziometacarpal joint and retroreflective markers were placed both on the splints and on the thumb. After active flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, axial rotation and circumduction, the different range-of-motion parameters were calculated.


RESULTS
The mean range-of-motion of the trapeziometacarpal joint was 41 degrees for flexion-extension, 51 degrees for abduction-adduction and 21 degrees for axial rotation. Comparisons between female and male subjects showed significant differences concerning flexion-extension, abduction-adduction axial rotation and circumduction. No significant differences were noted between right and left hands except for the abduction-adduction movement.


CONCLUSIONS
One hundred and one healthy subjects were analysed for the development of a database of normal active range-of-motion parameters of the trapeziometacarpal joint, with an in vivo protocol. This database should allow comparing the range-of-motion of patients with osteoarthritic trapeziometacarpal joint and assessing surgical outcome.
Goubier
J-N
JN
Laboratoire de biomécanique, Ecole nationale des arts et métiers (Ensam), 151, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France. jngoubier@gmail.com
Devun
L
L
Mitton
D
D
Lavaste
F
F
Papadogeorgou
E
E
D000328:Adult; D052737:Carpometacarpal Joints / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012016:Reference Values; D051222:Trapezium Bone; D055815:Young Adult