Metatarsophalangeal joint

As the name suggests, the metatarsophalangeal joint, abbreviated as MTP, is a condyloid joint between the bones of the foot and digits. There are about 10 metatarsophalangeal joints in humans.

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MTP joints

Movements

The movements of the MTP joints are flexion, extension, abduction, adduction and circumduction.

Ligaments

The ligaments of the MTP joints are the plantar and two collateral ligaments.

Metatarsalgia

• Metatarsophalangeal joints can have arthritis leading to pain called metatarsalgia.
• Some of the common causes include:subluxations, flexor plate tears, capsular impingement, rheumatoid arthritis and joint cartilage destruction leading to osteoarthrosis.

Cause of pain

Metatarsophalangeal joint pain commonly results from misalignment of the joint.

MTP joint

2nd MTP joint

The 2nd metatarsophalangeal joint is most commonly affected with capsulitis and hammer toe deformities.

Inflammatory arthropaties

Gout in a radiograph of the [left] foot

Metatarsophalangeal joint subluxations can be due to chronic inflammatory arthropathy such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Metatarsophalangeal joint pain may also result from functional hallux limitus,

Acute arthritis can be secondary to systemic arthritides such as gout, RA, and spondyloarthropathy.

Symptoms and Signs

Pain on walking.

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Normal Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) Joint

Diagnosis

History and physical examination X-rays CT and MRI scans Blood tests to rule out connective tissue diseases CRP and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

Treatment

• Foot orthoses may help redistribute and relieve pressure from the noninflamed joints
• Surgery may be needed

Common problems

• Morton’s neuroma - Morton’s neuroma, described by Morton in 1876, is a reactive fibrosis of a communicating branch of the third nerve and, histopathologically, is not a true neuroma
• Plantar fasciitis = The plantar fascia or plantar aponeurosis is a fibrous band of connective tissue located on the plantar surface of the foot
• Bunion - Bunion is derived from the Latin word meaning turnip. It is a bursa sac that develops over the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint as a result of a hallux valgus deformity of this joint.
• Hallux valgus refers to the lateral deviation of the first toe.

Gray's Anatomy

• Gray's Anatomy Contents
• Gray's Anatomy Subject Index
• About Classic Gray's Anatomy
• Note to Contributors of Gray's Anatomy
• Glossary of anatomy terms

Anatomy atlases (external)

[1] - Anatomy Atlases

Metatarsophalangeal joint Resources
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Metatarsophalangeal joint Resources
Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia