ABSTRACT
This study investigates the relationship of hand use to the deforming hand joint changes of rheumatoid arthritis. Measurements of metacarpophalangeal lateral mobility, loss of metacarpophalangeal hyperextension, thumb metacarpophalangeal range of motion, and lateral pinch strength were statistically compared across dominant and nondominant hands of 51 adult subjects who had definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis. Incidence of boutonniere and swan neck deformities and distal radioulna laxity was also recorded. Results of a multivariate analysis of variance of the difference scores between dominant and nondominant measures were not significant. The authors concluded that the relationship of hand use to joint destruction is not yet clearly defined and further study is needed. Implications for treatment principles of joint protection are presented.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/complications , Finger Joint/physiopathology , Hand Deformities, Acquired/etiology , Metacarpophalangeal Joint/physiopathology , Adult , Aged , Biomechanical Phenomena , Female , Functional Laterality , Hand Deformities, Acquired/physiopathology , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
A 2-axis goniometer has been developed which accommodates the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) changes of rheumatoid arthritis and permits accurate measurement of laxity of the MCP joints. Measurements made with the instrument on 51 subjects with definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis showed high percentages of intrarater and interrater agreement for repeated trials. These results suggest that, following the methods outlined, the 2-axis goniometer can be used to obtain reliable objective measurements of MCP lateral mobility by 1 or more raters with a minimum of training.
