A woman who has had rheumatoid arthritis for years is starting to notice that her fingers are drifting to the side. What is term commonly used for this condition?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Fingers drift to the ulnar side because of stretching of the articular capsule and muscle imbalance caused by chronic rheumatoid arthritis. A radial drift is not observed. Swan-neck deformity is a flexion contracture in the metacarpophalangeal joint, then hyperextension of the PIP joint, and flexion of the DIP joint which resembles the curve of a swan's neck. Dupuytren contracture is a flexion contracture of the digits. It first affects the fourth digit, then the fifth digit, and then third digit.

A Woman Who Has Had Rheumatoid Arthritis for Years Is