What is a palmar plate?
D053401. Anatomical terminology. In the human hand, palmar or volar plates (also referred to as palmar or volar ligaments) are found in the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and interphalangeal (IP) joints, where they reinforce the joint capsules, enhance joint stability, and limit hyperextension.
What is the primary function of the palmar plate at the MCP joints?
This ligament prevents the attached metacarpals from abduction at the CMC joints. The volar plate (palmar plate) provides a protective fibro-cartilaginous covering for the articular surfaces, which increases joint congruence. It increases anteroposterior stability of the MCP joint by limiting hyperextension.
What is the purpose of volar plate?
The volar plate prevents the finger from bending backwards and helps stabilize the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint, the middle joint of the finger.
How long does it take for a volar plate injury to heal?
Most volar plate injuries heal without any problems in about six weeks. You should regain movement quickly with regular exercise (within four weeks). However, it may take several months for your symptoms to settle completely – these can include pain or discomfort, stiffness, decreased strength and swelling.
What happens when your finger gets bent backwards?
When the finger is bent back too far, one or more of the collateral ligaments can also be torn. If the collateral ligaments are torn, there could be an increase in side-to-side movement of the joint. As the volar plate is stretched and torn, it may also pull off a small piece of bone.
What is palmar ligament?
The palmar ligaments (volar ligaments), more commonly termed as volar plates or palmar plates, are thick, dense, fibrocartilaginous structures, placed upon the volar surfaces of the MCP joints in the intervals between the collateral ligaments, to which they are connected; they are loosely united to the metacarpal bones …
What MCP joint position is most prone to injury?
Finger metacarpophalangeal joint dislocation (MCP) joint The border digits (index and small) are more susceptible to injury, particularly in extension when either finger is less protected by neighboring digits and the collateral ligaments are lax.
What happens when your finger bends backwards?
What dislocated finger feels like?
Symptoms of a Dislocated Finger A dislocated finger is usually obvious. The finger appears crooked, swollen, and is very painful. It may be bent upward or at strange angles. You probably won’t be able to bend or straighten the finger if it is dislocated.
What causes Jersey finger?
A “jersey finger” occurs when the tendon responsible for flexing the tip of the finger is torn. The most commonly injured finger is the ring finger. The torn tendon can slide as far back as the palm. Athletes participating in sports requiring frequent grasping.
Why can’t I straighten my little finger?
Camptodactyly is a rare condition where a finger — or fingers — is fixed in a bent position at the middle joint, and cannot fully straighten. Affecting less than 1 percent of the population, camptodactyly is most often found in the pinky finger and can occur in one or both hands.
What does the palmar carpal ligament do?
Anatomical terminology The flexor retinaculum (transverse carpal ligament, or anterior annular ligament) is a fibrous band on the palmar side of the hand near the wrist. It arches over the carpal bones of the hands, covering them and forming the carpal tunnel.
Where are palmar plates located in the human hand?
In the human hand, palmar or volar plates (also referred to as palmar or volar ligaments) are found in the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and interphalangeal (IP) joints where they reinforce the joint capsules, enhance joint stability, and limit hyperextension.
What is the volar plate of the thumb joint?
In contrast to the volar plates of the MCP joints of the fingers, the volar plate of the thumb MCP joint is a thick structure firmly attached to the base of the proximal phalanx. It forms the bottom of a two-sided box, the sides of which are made up of the collateral ligaments .
When does the volar plate tear in the finger?
The volar plate is a very thick ligament which joins two bones in the finger. A volar plate injury occurs when the finger is bent too far back the wrong way, spraining (tearing) the ligament.
What does the palmar plate do during flexion?
During flexion, the plate glides proximally down the volar surface of the metacarpal head. Its flexible attachment to the phalanx bone not only prevents it from restricting joint movements, but also prevents the long flexor tendons from being pinched in the joint.