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Ulnar digits contribution to grip strength in patients with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis is less than in normal controls

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HAND

Abstract

Background

Grip testing is commonly used as an objective measure of strength in the hand and upper extremity and is frequently used clinically as a proxy measure of function. Increasing knowledge of hand biomechanics, muscle strength, and prehension patterns can provide us with a better understanding of the functional capabilities of the hand. The objectives of this study were to determine the contribution of ulnar digits to overall grip strength in individuals with thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Thirty-seven subjects participated in the study. This group consisted of 19 patients with CMC OA (aged 60–88 years) and 18 healthy subjects (60–88 years). Three hand configurations were used by the subjects during grip testing: use of the entire hand (index, middle, ring, and little fingers) (IMRL); use of the index, middle, and ring fingers (IMR); and use of only the index and middle fingers (IM).

Results

Grip strength findings for the two groups found that compared to their healthy counterparts, CMC OA patients had, on average, a strength deficiency of 45.6, 35.5, and 28.8 % in IMRL, IMR, and IM, respectively. The small finger contribution to grip is 14.3 % and the ring and small finger contribute 34 % in subjects with CMC OA.

Discussion

Grip strength decreases as the number of digits contributing decreased in both groups. The ulnar digits contribution to grip strength is greater than one third of total grip strength in subjects with CMC OA. Individuals with CMC OA demonstrate significantly decreased grip strength when compared to their healthy counterparts.

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Conflict of Interest

Jorge H. Villafañe declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Kristin Valdes declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Santiago Angulo-Diaz-Par declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Paolo Pillastrini declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Stefano Negrini declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Statement of Human and Animal Rights

Ethical approval of the study was received by the institutional local board review. All procedures were conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki of 1975, as revised in 2000 (5).

Statement of Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all participants and all procedures were conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Regione Generala 11/16, Piossasco, 10045, Italy

    Jorge H. Villafañe

  2. IRCCS Don Gnocchi Foundation, Milan, Italy

    Jorge H. Villafañe

  3. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Kristin Valdes

  4. Department of Quantitative Methods. Faculty of Pharmacology, San Pablo CEU University, Madrid, Spain

    Santiago Angulo-Diaz-Parreño

  5. Section of Occupational Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Nephrology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Paolo Pillastrini

  6. IRCCS Don Gnocchi Foundation, Milan, Italy

    Stefano Negrini

  7. Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

    Stefano Negrini

Authors
  1. Jorge H. Villafañe
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  2. Kristin Valdes
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  3. Santiago Angulo-Diaz-Parreño
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  4. Paolo Pillastrini
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  5. Stefano Negrini
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jorge H. Villafañe.

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Cite this article

Villafañe, J.H., Valdes, K., Angulo-Diaz-Parreño, S. et al. Ulnar digits contribution to grip strength in patients with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis is less than in normal controls. HAND 10, 191–196 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11552-014-9682-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11552-014-9682-2

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