From the Guidelines
Approximately 20-30% of people can touch their index finger to their pinky finger on the same hand, a movement known as fifth finger abduction. This ability is determined by individual anatomical variations in hand structure, particularly the flexibility of ligaments and tendons in the hand 1. People with hypermobility or naturally more flexible joints are more likely to be able to perform this movement. This trait is largely genetic and not something that can be significantly improved with practice, though gentle stretching might slightly increase range of motion over time. The inability to touch these fingers together is completely normal and not indicative of any health issues.
Key Points to Consider
- Hand flexibility varies widely among individuals, with some having naturally greater ranges of motion than others 1.
- Management of hand osteoarthritis should aim to control symptoms, such as pain and stiffness, and to optimise hand function, in order to maximise activity, participation and quality of life 1.
- Individualised management of hand OA should take into account its localisation and severity, as well as comorbidities 1.
- A multidisciplinary approach to management, including non-pharmacological modalities, pharmacological options and surgery, should be considered 1.
Implications for Practice
- Patients with hand OA should be offered information on the nature and course of the disease, as well as education on self-management principles and treatment options 1.
- Education is considered a core treatment in the management of patients with hand OA, and should be offered to all patients 1.
- Trained health professionals other than the physician can play an important role in the provision of information and education 1.
From the Research
Finger Flexibility
- The ability to touch the index finger to the pinky finger is related to finger flexibility and independence.
- A study on human finger independence found that mechanical coupling between the fingers limits their independence, with the index, middle, and ring fingers being most affected 2.
- However, none of the provided studies directly address the percentage of people who can touch their index finger to their pinky finger.
Stretching and Flexibility
- Stretching exercises can increase range of motion and reduce stiffness in the muscle-tendon unit 3.
- Dynamic stretching, in particular, has been shown to have positive effects on range of motion and subsequent performance 3.
- However, the provided studies do not specifically investigate the relationship between stretching and the ability to touch the index finger to the pinky finger.