Schulz C U, Anetzberger H, Pfahler M, Maier M, Refior H J
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Institute for Surgical Research, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
J Hand Surg Br. 2002 Jun;27(3):238-41. doi: 10.1054/jhsb.2002.0765.
We have studied whether accessory abductor pollicis longus slips inserting into the thenar eminence or trapezium influence the incidence and severity of trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. The right first extensor compartment of 73 cadavers was dissected and trapeziometacarpal degeneration was graded macroscopically. The main abductor pollicis longus tendon which inserted at the metacarpal base was accompanied by supernumerary APL slips in 96% of cases. Thenar or trapezial slips occurred frequently but coexisted in only one case. The incidence of trapeziometacarpal arthritis was not influenced by the number of accessory slips or whether they inserted onto the thenar eminence or the trapezium.
