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What is an MCP Joint?

An MCP joint is the first joint on the thumb that connects the thumb to the palm of the hand. The technical name for this joint is metacarpophalangeal. This can be a real mouthful to say, so medical professionals have abbreviated the name to MCP joint. This joint is essential to the proper functioning of the thumb. Without the use of the MCP joint, it is impossible to bend and use the thumb in the way it was designed to be used.

  1. Size

    • The MCP joint is very small. It varies in size between individuals, because everyone has different sized hands. In general, the MCP joint is larger than any other joint connected to the other fingers. However, for some people it is the same size as the other joints connecting their fingers to their hands. The larger the person's hands, the larger the joint will be.

    Function

    • The purpose of the MCP joint is to connect the thumb to the hand. This can sometimes be damages when the thumb has been bent in an awkward manner. If the MCP joint has been damaged and is in need of surgery to replace the torn ligaments surrounding the MCP joint, then it is sometimes referred to as "Gamekeepers thumb." This is because in the past gamekeepers seemed to be the most likely people to get this problem. It happened to them because they used the thumb to dislocate the heads of small animals.

    Features

    • The MCP joint attaches to the palm of the hand at the base of the thumb. There are ligaments that surround the joint and keep it in place. It is when these ligaments are damaged that problems with the MCP joint occur. The ligaments become limp and are unable to provide the support that the thumb needs. This causes the MCP joint to move out of the place that it needs to be in. When this happens, the thumb pretty much stops functioning.

    Benefits

    • There are many benefits to the MCP joint. The main benefit is that of an opposable thumb. The MCP joint is the main ingredient in the way that human's thumbs and hands function. Without the MCP joint, humans would not be able to do many of the things that they are capable today. Delicate tasks would be much harder. In addition to that, the MCP joint provides support to the thumb. It prevents the thumb from being able to bend backwards at crazy angles. This protects the thumb from breaking off or becoming caught in tools.

    Warning

    • It is important to take care of the MCP joint. There are not many gamekeepers now to get the common form of MCP joint troubles. However, there are other ways that the MCP joint can be injured. Ski injuries are a common way to damage the MCP joint. When someone falls while skiing, it is possible to strain the MCP joint if the person does not let go of their poles. Another way to damage the MCP joint is if a person has severe arthritis.

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