Adduction Contracture of the Thumb

Abstract

ADDUCTION contracture of the thumb presents a most serious disability of the hand. The thumb is useless as an opponent for the fingers, is unable to abduct and rotate and, in some cases, blocks flexion of the fingers. The hand is incapable of proper grasp, pinch and stereognosis. The proper mechanics of position of the thumb are crippled.Functional AnatomyThe thumb is controlled by 4 long and 6 short muscles arranged about its circumference and supplied by the radial, median and ulnar nerves. Roughly, the radial controls extension, the median flexion, and the ulnar adduction. No one muscle acts . . .