Metacarpal Arc Motion: Comparison of Different Measurement Methods

Abstract

Introduction The range of motion of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joints is difficult to assess in clinical practice.

Materials and Methods The purpose of this study was to measure a precise range of motion measurement of the metacarpal arc during maximum palmar flexion of the fifth CMC joint in healthy persons with three different methods: optical, electrogoniometrical, and sonographical.

Results The metacarpal arc motion measured with the optical technique was 24.9 degrees (standard deviation [SD]: 6.2 degrees), with the electrogoniometric technique was 24.3 degrees (SD: 3.6 degrees) and with sonography was 25.1 degrees (SD: 3.5 degrees), with no differences between left and right hand for all methods.

Conclusion This study shows that different techniques can be used for the measurement of the metacarpal arc motion. With these techniques, it is possible to assess the metacarpal arc in patients with fractures to the CMC joints to evaluate posttraumatic function und rehabilitation progress. This study shows level of evidence as III.

Keywords

metacarpal arc - carpometacarpal joints - electrogoniometer - range of motion

Publication History

Article published online:
13 August 2020

• References

• 1 Lee SW, Zhang X. Development and validation of a biodynamic model for predicting multi-finger movements in cylinder-grasping tasks. Ergonomics 2009; 52 (03) 398-406
• 2 Holzbaur KRS, Murray WM, Delp SL. A model of the upper extremity for simulating musculoskeletal surgery and analyzing neuromuscular control. Ann Biomed Eng 2005; 33 (06) 829-840
• 3 Batmanabane M, Malathi S. Movements at the carpometacarpal and metacarpophalangeal joints of the hand and their effect on the dimensions of the articular ends of the metacarpal bones. Anat Rec 1985; 213 (01) 102-110
• 4 Bade H, Koebke J, Bilger H. (Functional anatomy of the fifth carpometacarpal joint). Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir Organ Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft Handchir Organ Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mikrochir Peripher Nerven Gefasse Organ V. 1993; 25 (03) 116-120
• 5 Buffi JH, Crisco JJ, Murray WM. A method for defining carpometacarpal joint kinematics from three-dimensional rotations of the metacarpal bones captured in vivo using computed tomography. J Biomech 2013; 46 (12) 2104-2108
• 6 Gehrmann SV, Kaufmann RA, Grassmann JP. et al. Fracture-dislocations of the carpometacarpal joints of the ring and little finger. J Hand Surg Eur Vol 2015; 40 (01) 84-87
• 7 Cook JR, Baker NA, Cham R, Hale E, Redfern MS. Measurements of wrist and finger postures: a comparison of goniometric and motion capture techniques. J Appl Biomech 2007; 23 (01) 70-78
• 8 Kuo L-C, Su F-C, Chiu H-Y, Yu C-Y. Feasibility of using a video-based motion analysis system for measuring thumb kinematics. J Biomech 2002; 35 (11) 1499-1506
• 9 Park W, Ro K, Kim S, Bae J. A soft sensor-based three-dimensional (3-d) finger motion measurement system. Sensors (Basel) 2017; 17 (02) 420