The Angle of the Metacarpophalangeal Joint of the Thumb During Maximal Pinch Strength

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of the study is to measure the position of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb during key-pinch, tripod-pinch and opposition-pinch in normal volunteers, to determine the optimal position of metacarpophalangeal joint arthrodesis.

Detailed Description
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The aim of the study is to measure the position of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the thumb during key-pinch, tripod-pinch and opposition-pinch in normal volunteers, to determine the optimal position of metacarpophalangeal joint arthrodesis. The force will be measured in three positions (key-pinch, tripod-pinch and opposition-pinch). Also measured is the degree of flexion of the MCP joint of the thumb. The mobility of the MCP joint of the thumb in maximum flexion and extension will also be measured. A total of about 300 healthy volunteers will be examined, with no history of trauma or disease to tendons or joints of the thumbs and between the ages of 18 and 40. The sponsor of this study is Professor Nadine Hollevoet. Master students of medicine from the faculty of medicine and health sciences will be part of the research team.

Official Title
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The Angle of the Metacarpophalangeal Joint of the Thumb During Maximal Pinch Strength: Implications for Arthrodesis

Conditions
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Post-traumatic; Arthrosis, Osteoarthritis Thumb

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: measurement of range of motion and strength


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: age between 18 and 40 years Exclusion Criteria: (previous) pathology of the joints, ligaments or tendons of the thumb

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: measurement of the joint mobility and the force of the thumb
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: normal volunteers<br>normal volunteers between 18 and 40 years old, men and women. Measurement of the range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint with a goniometer and pinch strength of the thumb with a dynamometer | Other: measurement of range of motion and strength<br>* measurement of range of motion (goniometer) and strength (dynamometer) of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| pinch strength of the thumb (in kilograms force) | pinch strength of the thumb in key-pinch, opposition-pinch and tripod-pinch | 10 minutes | 
| the angle of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb (in degrees) | the angle of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb (in degrees) during maximal force in the three pinch positions | 10 minutes | 
| range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb (in degrees) | range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb (in degrees) measuring maximal flexion and maximal extension of the joint | 10 minutes |