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Published on: November 9, 2018
Idiopathic osteoarthritis and contracture: causal implications
P Jones1, C J Alexander, J Stewart
1Department of Rheumatology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, PO Box 1342, Whakaue Street, Rotorua, New Zealand.
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
|January 14, 2005
Summary
Idiopathic osteoarthritis and finger contracture are not causally linked. Both conditions may stem from reduced joint movement, suggesting that maintaining full range of motion could prevent osteoarthritis.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Orthopedics
- Gerontology
Background:
- Idiopathic osteoarthritis (OA) is often associated with joint contracture.
- Two theories exist: contracture as a consequence of OA, or contracture preceding and causing OA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between idiopathic OA and finger contracture.
- To test whether contracture follows OA or vice versa.
Main Methods:
- Goniometric measurements of finger joint flexion in two age groups of women (mean ages 22 and 45).
- Comparison of flexion ranges with known regional OA prevalence in finger joints.
Main Results:
- Older subjects exhibited reduced finger joint flexion, indicating extensor mechanism contracture.
- Contracture distribution showed a significant negative correlation with OA prevalence.
Conclusions:
- Early dorsal finger contracture occurs in healthy individuals but is not caused by or a cause of OA.
- The association between contracture and OA is best explained by both being independent results of underutilization of full joint range.
- This suggests that maintaining full finger movement may be a strategy for OA prevention.
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