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Osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb: a new MR imaging technique for the standardized detection of relevant ligamental lesions

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Abstract

Objective

To assess ligament lesions and subluxations of the carpometacarpal joints of the thumbs (CMC I) of asymptomatic volunteers and of patients with CMC I osteoarthritis using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials and Methods

A total of 20 CMC I joints of 14 asymptomatic volunteers (6× both sides) and 28 CMC I joints of 22 patients (6× both sides) with symptomatic and X-ray-diagnosed osteoarthritis of CMC I joints were studied. During extension, flexion, abduction and adduction of the thumb, the anterior oblique (AOL), intermetacarpal (IML), posterior oblique (POL) and dorsal radial (DRL) ligaments were evaluated using 3-T MRI on two standard planes, and translation of metacarpal I (MC I) was assessed.

Results

The MRI demonstrated that ligament lesions of the AOL and IML are frequent. Isolated rupture of the AOL was found in 6 of 28 (21 %), combined rupture of the AOL + IML in 5 of 28 (18 %) and isolated IML rupture in 4 of 28 (14 %) joints.

The patients had a significantly increased dorsal translation of MC I during extension with a median of 6.4 mm vs. 5.4 mm in asymptomatic volunteers (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

MRIs of CMC I in two standardized planes frequently show combined ligament ruptures. The dorsal subluxation of MC I, which is increased in patients, correlates with OA severity based on X-ray and can be quantified by MRI. For joint-preserving surgical procedures and for prosthesis implantation of the CMC I, we recommend performing an MRI in two planes of the thumb—extension and abduction—to evaluate the ligaments and dorsal subluxation of MC I.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Mrs. Ilona Pfahlert for her excellent support during the MRI investigation and Mr. Thomas Janczek for his competent support in planning and designing the orthesis used in the MR examinations.

Disclosures of Potential Conflicts of Interest

There are no potential conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Goettingen, Germany

    Clemens Dumont, Sebastian Lerzer, Mohammad Tezval & Klaus Michael Stürmer

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Goettingen, Germany

    Morad Ali Vafa & Joachim Lotz

  3. MR-Research in Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Cognitive Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Goettingen, Germany

    Peter Dechent

  4. Department of Trauma Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Georg-August-Universität, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075, Goettingen, Germany

    Clemens Dumont

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  1. Clemens Dumont
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Correspondence to Clemens Dumont.

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Dumont, C., Lerzer, S., Vafa, M.A. et al. Osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb: a new MR imaging technique for the standardized detection of relevant ligamental lesions. Skeletal Radiol 43, 1411–1420 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-014-1955-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-014-1955-x

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