Volar Plate is a ligament that prevents your thumb from hyperextending. A trigger thumb leaves the thumb stuck in a bent position. Trigger finger (also known as trigger thumb) is a common phenomenon that involves the flexor tendon running in the thumb. Another scenario may be washing dishes and the glass breaks in your hand, or even trying to catch a falling sharp object. Defending yourself against an incoming knife by shielding yourself with an open hand may lead to a severed flexor tendon group. You can cut these tendons by either glass or a knife. The Flexor group on the palm side of the thumb is more prone to injury. If you injure these tendons you will be unable to straighten your thumb to make the OK/sharp sign. On the back of the thumb there are two tendons called the Extensor Pollicis Brevis and Extensor Pollicis Longus that allows you to straighten your thumb. The Flexor Pollicis Longus and Flexor Pollicis Brevis that gives you the ability to bend the two joints of your thumb down. It is important to treat an injury to this joint immediately and thoroughly to help prevent the onset of arthritis.On the palm side of the thumb there is a group of rope-like tendons that run from the forearm to the tip of your thumb. If you fracture the CMC joint you will most likely be cast to immobilize the joint and allow the fractured bone to heal. X-rays can show the condition of your bones and what is happening at the joint. Your orthopedic doctor can diagnose injury to the CMC joint by evaluating symptoms, completing a physical examination, reviewing your activities and pain patterns, and a history of the problem. Damage to the articular joint surface can progress to arthritis. This material is the slick, spongy covering that allows one side of a joint to slide against the other joint surface easily. The joint surfaces are covered with a material called articular cartilage. With a sports injury these ligaments can be injured, ie. Several ligaments hold the CMC joint together and provide stability. If the arthritis causes the bones to shift, a bump can appear at the outside base of the thumb. As the CMC begins to break down, it may become weaker and movement may be restricted. The pain typically occurs during and after gripping and pinching activities, such as turning a doorknob, buttoning buttons, tying shoes, or using a knife to cut food. The symptoms may appear upon awakening in the morning and then lessen as the thumb “loosens up”. The most common symptoms of arthritis are pain, stiffness and swelling. This can result in joint deterioration and arthritis for some individuals. The CMC is the joint that allows you to move your thumb into your palm (This joint is designed to give the thumb its range of motion, but the trade off is that the joint suffers a lot of stress over the years. This joint is sometimes referred to as the basal joint of the thumb. The CMC joint (an abbreviation for carpometacarpal joint) of the thumb is where the metacarpal bone of the thumb attaches to the trapezium bone of the wrist. While an acute injury to this joint can occur as the result of hyper-extension to the CMC joint with extreme force, such as a fall in hockey or falling while skiing holding a ski pole. Years of stress to the base of the thumb (CMC) joint can lead to chronic painful osteoarthritis. When you think about how much you use your thumbs in your day to day lives, it makes sense that an injury to this part of your body can be painful and debilitating.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |