Anatomical Evaluation of the APL Tendons in Thumb CMC Joint and Osteoarthritis

The accessory APL tendons insertions, number of accessory tendons and insertion in trapezium can be a mechanical factor that develop osteophytes and thumb CMC joint osteoarthritis. Antibodies against the general nerve marker protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and the glial marker S-100 will be use to depict innervation and corpuscular structures. Innervation pattern and sensory corpuscules were investigated by other authors in the wrist. S-100 immunoreactivity is in the Schwann cells in the central regions of the corpuscle, and PGP 9.5 immunoreactivity marked the axonal structures in the corpuscles. The presence of nerve fascicles and particularly sensory corpuscles in the structures, for exemple capsule and APL insertion near the thumb carpometacarpal joint suggest that these structures in the CMC joint have a propioceptive role in the stability of the joint.