Essential motion of metacarpophalangeal joints during activities of daily living

Study design: Bench research. Introduction: Although information on the range of motion (ROM) required to perform activities is important when setting ROM goals to enable patients to engage in them, there are few studies reporting the required ROM of fingers. Purpose of the study: To analyze the range of joint motion required of the finger MCP joint to perform activities and to compare the maximum flexion and maximum extension angle required of the finger MCP joints in the individual fingers. Methods: We used an electrogoniometer to measure the ROM of four finger MCP joints in the dominant hand in healthy adults (n = 20) performing 19 activities. Finger MCP joint angles were analyzed throughout each of the 19 tasks. Results: The mean ROM of finger MCP joints of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers required to perform all 19 activities ranged from -10 to 60 degrees, -10 to 75 degrees, -10 to 80 degrees, and -10 to 85 degrees, respectively. The mean maximum flexion angle of the finger MCP joints gradually increased as the finger MCP joints were compared moving from the radial to the ulnar side. Conclusion: The data obtained in this study on MCP joint motions that are required to perform activities may be beneficial in setting ROM goals for patients with finger MCP joint impairment.