Assessment of normal trapeziometacarpal joint alignment.

The purpose of this study was to determine the alignment of the normal trapeziometacarpal joint and any changes in its alignment with age. Radial, dorsal and dorsoradial subluxation were measured on computerized tomographic scans in 50 joints of 50 adults aged 18 to 62. There were statistically significant correlations between increasing age and dorsoradial subluxation but no significant correlation with dorsal and radial subluxation. Significant dorsoradial subluxation occurs after 46 years of age in the normal trapeziometacarpal joint. A mean dorsoradial subluxation of 21% (range 14%-30%) can be considered normal in this age group.