Intrinsic plus position is defined by which combination of finger and thumb postures?

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Multiple Choice

Intrinsic plus position is defined by which combination of finger and thumb postures?

The intrinsic plus position is an anti-deformity posture used to prevent contractures after hand injury or immobilization. It coordinates the intrinsic hand muscles so that the MCP joints are flexed while the PIP and DIP joints are extended, and the thumb is abducted. Flexing the MCP joints shortens the intrinsic muscles (interossei and lumbricals), which pulls the extensor mechanism to extend the finger joints, helping keep the IP joints from flexing and forming contractures. Abducting the thumb helps prevent adduction contracture of the thumb and maintains thenar function. This exact combination—MCP joints flexed, IP joints extended, and the thumb abducted—fits the described intrinsic plus position. The other arrangements either fail to extend the IP joints, keep the IP joints flexed, or place the thumb in adduction rather than abduction, which does not achieve the intrinsic plus configuration.

The intrinsic plus position is an anti-deformity posture used to prevent contractures after hand injury or immobilization. It coordinates the intrinsic hand muscles so that the MCP joints are flexed while the PIP and DIP joints are extended, and the thumb is abducted. Flexing the MCP joints shortens the intrinsic muscles (interossei and lumbricals), which pulls the extensor mechanism to extend the finger joints, helping keep the IP joints from flexing and forming contractures. Abducting the thumb helps prevent adduction contracture of the thumb and maintains thenar function.

This exact combination—MCP joints flexed, IP joints extended, and the thumb abducted—fits the described intrinsic plus position. The other arrangements either fail to extend the IP joints, keep the IP joints flexed, or place the thumb in adduction rather than abduction, which does not achieve the intrinsic plus configuration.

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