From the Guidelines
MCP stands for metacarpophalangeal in medical terminology, referring to the joints where the metacarpal bones of the hand connect with the proximal phalanges of the fingers. These joints are commonly known as the knuckles and are located at the base of each finger. The MCP joints are crucial for hand function as they allow for flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and limited rotation movements of the fingers. Each hand has five MCP joints, one for each digit including the thumb.
Key Points
- The MCP joints are frequently affected in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and various hand injuries, as noted in studies such as 1 and 1.
- Understanding the anatomy and function of MCP joints is important for diagnosing and treating hand disorders, as well as for performing proper physical examinations of the hand.
- The MCP joints can be involved in various rheumatologic conditions, including inflammatory oligo or polyarthritis, as described in 1.
- Management of MCP joint disorders often requires a multidisciplinary approach, including moderate-dose corticosteroids, steroid-sparing immunomodulators, and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), as discussed in 1.
Clinical Considerations
- The differential diagnosis for MCP joint disorders is wide and includes conditions such as psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and haemochromatosis, as mentioned in 1.
- Plain radiographs provide the gold standard for morphological assessment of MCP joint disorders, as stated in 1.
- Blood tests, such as rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies, may be required to exclude coexistent disease, as noted in 1 and 1.
From the Research
Definition of MCP
- MCP stands for Metacarpophalangeal, which refers to the joint that connects the metacarpal bones of the hand to the phalanges (finger bones) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Medical Terminology
- In medical terminology, the metacarpophalangeal joint is often abbreviated as MCP joint 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Joint Structure
- The MCP joint is a type of synovial joint that allows for flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction movements of the fingers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.