eMedicine Specialties > Orthopedic Surgery > Hand & Upper Extremity

Intrinsic Plus Hand

Author: Jessica Nguyen Gillespie, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Iowa
Coauthor(s): Bradon J Wilhelmi, MD, Professor and Endowed Leonard J Weiner, MD, Chair of Plastic Surgery, Residency Program Director, University of Louisville School of Medicine
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: May 13, 2009

Introduction

Intrinsic plus position

The intrinsic plus position is otherwise known as the safe position for hand splinting. The hand can be immobilized in this position for long periods of time without developing as much stiffness as would occur if the digits were positioned differently. In the intrinsic plus position, the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joints are flexed at 60-70°, the interphalangeal (IP) joints are fully extended, and the thumb is in the fist projection. The wrist is held in extension at 10° less than maximal.

Why intrinsic plus is the safe position

In the safe position, the MP joints are in flexion and the IP joints are in full extension. The MP joints recover well from flexion, and the IP joints recover well from extension based on differences in the shape of the metacarpal head, volar plate, and collateral ligament anatomy.

The metacarpal head is uniquely shaped in that it is ovoid in the sagittal plane, and it widens from the dorsal to the volar dimension. The collateral ligaments are eccentrically mounted dorsal to the axis of rotation of the MP joint. This anatomy causes variable degrees of tightness on the collateral ligaments based on the position of the joint by a camlike effect. When the joint is in extension, the collateral ligaments are lax. In flexion, the collateral ligaments span a greater distance and are tight (see Images 1-2). In addition, the MP joint is also curved in 2 planes to permit abduction, adduction, and rotation, as well as flexion and extension in an abbreviated ball-and-socket configuration. In flexion, bone surface area contact is greater than in extension, producing a more stable joint (see Image 1).

Problem

Contracture of the interosseous, lumbrical, or hypothenar muscles causes the fingers to stiffen and the hand to become deformed and functionally disabled.^1,2,3,4,5

Frequency

The frequency of intrinsic plus hand is not known.

Etiology

Excessive immobilization, trauma, inflammation, infection, tumor, central nervous system disease, and joint destruction are all causes of joint stiffness and intrinsic contractures.^6,7 Decreased blood supply to the hand as a result of injury or primary disease of the vessels of the upper extremity is a leading cause of intrinsic muscle contracture.

Pathophysiology

Edema is the initial response to any insult to the hand and leads to adverse sequelae. Joint stiffness develops as intra-articular hematoma and fluid accumulate within the synovial space, distending the capsule. Increased fluid content within the articular capsule and collateral ligaments effectively shortens these structures, favoring extension. The fluid in the joint space also serves to hydraulically drive the MP joints into extension (see Image 1).

With injury, checkreins form at the IP joints (see Image 4). Checkreins are collagenous bands connecting the lateral sides of the proximal volar plate to the assembly lines on the volar lateral surfaces of the phalanx. Assembly lines are the 2 ridges along the volar lateral surfaces of the phalanx to which are attached volar ligamentous structures such as the flexor sheath, Cleland and Grayson ligaments, and the oblique retinacular ligaments of Landsmeer.

Compartment syndrome is the usual cause of posttraumatic intrinsic contractures owing to edema and ischemia. Hematoma and edema fill the interosseous muscle compartment and are trapped by the firm dorsal and volar interosseous fascia.⁹ Capillary compression and venous stasis adds to the congestion. As the edema subsides, fibrosis develops. Compressive circular dressings can also impede venous drainage and lead to the development of myostatic contractures in the interossei. Finally, muscle necrosis and fibrosis may ensue with cases of severe and prolonged deep-space edema of the hand.

Presentation

The most common test used to test for intrinsic contracture is the intrinsic tightness test. The examiner holds the MP joints in extension while passively flexing the IP joints. While holding the MP joints in flexion, the IP joints are then passively flexed. If IP joint flexion is blocked or lessened when the MP joint is in extension compared with when it is in flexion, the result is positive and there is tightness of the intrinsic muscles. In contrast, if extensor contracture is present at the PIP joint, then PIP joint flexion is greater with MP joint extension.

Indications

See Treatment, Surgical therapy, below.

Relevant Anatomy

Brief anatomy and function of the intrinsic and lumbrical muscles

The intrinsic musculature, composed of the interossei and the lumbrical muscles, acts on the hand to flex the MP joints and extend the IP joints. The interossei also act to abduct and adduct the fingers. There are 7 interosseous muscles divided into 4 dorsal and 3 volar interossei. These muscles lie on either side of the metacarpals. The dorsal interossei are abductors, whereas the ventral interossei are adductors.¹⁰

Each dorsal interosseous muscle, except the one lying on the ulnar side of the middle finger, has 2 muscle heads. The superficial head originates most dorsally and inserts by way of a medial tendon onto the lateral tubercle at the base of the proximal phalanx. Therefore, the superficial head abducts and weakly flexes the proximal phalanx. The deep head of the dorsal interosseous muscle forms a lateral tendon or lateral band at the base of the proximal phalanx. These lateral bands are joined by the lateral slips of the extensor tendon to form the conjoined lateral band at the level of the PIP joint.

The conjoined lateral bands on either side of the finger then join at the distal end of the middle phalanx to form the terminal extensor tendon. The terminal tendon inserts onto the base of the distal phalanx and serves to extend it. Each lateral band at the level of the middle of the proximal phalanx sends off fibers, which arch dorsally to join each other on the dorsum of the finger. These fibers flex the proximal phalanx. Oblique (spiral) fibers also originate from the lateral bands more distally and insert onto the lateral tubercles at the base of the middle phalanx. These oblique fibers extend the middle phalanx. Therefore, the deep head of the dorsal interosseous muscle acts to flex and weakly abduct the proximal phalanx and extend the middle and distal phalanges. The volar interossei each only have one muscle head and form the ulnar lateral band of the index finger and the radial lateral band of the ring and little finger.

The hypothenar muscles function similarly to the interossei for the small finger. The abductor digiti quinti function is similar to the superficial head of a dorsal interosseous muscle. The flexor digiti quinti brevis functions similarly to the deep head of a dorsal interosseous muscle, forming the ulnar lateral band. The opponens digiti quinti is a third hypothenar muscle that serves to flex and supinate the fifth metacarpal.

The lumbrical muscles arise from the flexor digitorum profundus tendons in the palm and join the radial lateral band at the middle of the proximal phalanx. The lumbricals extend the PIP and DIP joints and assist in flexing the MP joints.

Volar plate anatomy

Architectural differences exist between the volar plates of the MP and IP joints. The MP volar plate is composed of crisscrossing bands of fibers that collapse like an accordion on flexion and expand with extension.⁸

Contraindications

In some circumstances, the intrinsic tightness test may not be reliable in diagnosing intrinsic contracture. IP joint stiffness and capsular or intra-articular adhesions can mask underlying intrinsic muscle tightness. In these situations, IP joint flexion may be decreased regardless of the position of the MP joint.

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