In Vivo Three-dimensional Analysis of the Human Trapeziometacarpal Joint Contact Behavior Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Trapeziometacarpal joint (TMC joint) is one of the joints having a complicated shape which enables to generate a wide variation of finger movements in daily life. It is important to clarify the in vivo contact behavior of healthy TMC joint when evaluating artificial joint design and post-operative joint movements. Thus, author analyzed right-side TMC joint contact behavior in 4 different finger positions of 8 healthy males using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. From MR images, 3D bone models were constructed and a 3D coordinate system was defined by the shape of each 3D model. Then, three bone axial angles of each 4 positions in the TMC joint were calculated: abduction-adduction, extension-flexion, pronation-spination. Furthermore, contact area of the articular cartilage in each 4 positions were clarified from MR images.