Ms. Roh et al., Thenar insertion of abductor pollicis longus accessory tendons and thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis, J HAND S-AM, 25A(3), 2000, pp. 458-463
Although the etiology of osteoarthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC)
joint remains unclear, some theories have focused on variations in the loca
l anatomy of the abductor pollicis longus tendon insertion. This cadaver st
udy of 68 specimens analyzed the relationship between a thenar insertion of
an accessory abductor pollicis longus tendon and the presence and severity
of thumb CMC osteoarthritis. The joint cartilage surfaces were visually gr
aded for degenerative changes. Thirty-five of 68 specimens (51%) had a then
ar insertion, most frequently inserting on either the abductor pollicis bre
vis or opponens pollicis fascia or muscle belly. No significant association
between a thenar insertion and thumb CMC arthritis was observed. Conversel
y, increasing age was noted to have a significant association with degenera
tive joint disease. Thus, these findings indicate that a thenar slip of the
abductor pollicis longus tendon does not correlate with the presence or se
verity of CMC osteoarthritis. (J Hand Surg 2000;25A:458-463. Copyright (C)
2000 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.).