What is the trapezium carpal bone?
The trapezium (also known as the greater multangular) is one of the eight carpal bones of the hand. It is the most lateral (radial) bone of the distal row, located between the scaphoid and the first metacarpal bone. The trapezium and trapezoid are collectively known as the multangulars.
What is the purpose of the trapezium bone?
Due to the location of the trapezium below the thumb joint, the trapezium plays a role in both the stability and the movement of the thumb. The trapezium also touches two other bones in the wrist joint, the scaphoid and trapezoid bones.
What causes pain in the trapezium bone?
Osteoarthritis (OA) in the base of the thumb is the most common cause of pain in this area. It is the degeneration of the protective surface of the bones in the joint over time, usually through overuse or damage. Initially pain occurs during movement or activity i.e. turning a key, opening jars or gripping objects.
What is scaphoid trapezium?
Abstract. Scaphoid-trapezium-trapezoid (STT) joint arthritis is a common condition consisting of pain on the radial side of the wrist and base of the thumb, swelling, and tenderness over the STT joint. Common symptoms are loss of grip strength and thumb function.
Where is trapezium bone found in the body?
Surfaces. The trapezium is an irregular-shaped carpal bone found within the hand. The trapezium is found within the distal row of carpal bones, and is directly adjacent to the metacarpal bone of the thumb. On its ulnar surface are found the trapezoid and scaphoid bones.
Can you fracture your trapezium?
The trapezium is rarely injured, representing about 4 percent of all carpal fractures [1-6]. When present, trapezium fractures often occur in association with other injuries, most commonly fracture of the first (thumb) metacarpal followed by other carpal bone injuries and the distal radius [7].
Where is the scaphoid trapezium?
It is situated at the radial side of the carpus, between the scaphoid and the first metacarpal bone (the metacarpal bone of the thumb). It is homologous with the first distal carpal of reptiles and amphibians.
Is a Trapeziectomy painful?
You may experience pain and discomfort in your thumb after the operation. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication to help manage your symptoms after the surgery. Elevating your hand will help decrease swelling from pooling in your hand.
What does a fractured trapezium feel like?
Patients with trapezoid fractures complain of pain at the base of the second metacarpal. They may also complain of pain in the region of the snuffbox [5]. On physical exam, they can have wrist swelling and decreased range of motion of the wrist because of pain.
How do you fracture your trapezium?
Fractures of the trapezium and trapezoid are rare as they require a combination of odd body position and trauma. A trapezium fracture requires a direct blow to the wrist when the thumb is adducted. Trapezoid fractures occur when the second metacarpal butts up against it.
