Grant: Undergraduate: Mobility, musculoskeletal health and arthritis - ICS

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic condition affecting roughly 1% of the Canadian population. One of the common resulting hand deformities is ulnar deviation or the angling of the fingers away from the thumb and slightly toward the palm. Although this can be quite debilitating for patients, there is currently limited understanding as to some of the underlying factors leading to these structural changes in the hand. Previous studies involved the use of X-ray imaging to better define whether the deformities were related to abnormalities in the ligaments of the hand or to deterioration of bony structures of the wrist. The technological development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has provided the opportunity to examine the tissues of the hand in greater detail. This study aims to use both MRI and X-ray evaluation to examine the structural components of the hand and wrist in 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Imaging will be done on 15 patients who have developed ulnar deviation of the fingers and 15 patients who have RA but do not have the characteristic deformity. A comparison will also be made between the structural changes observed and the functional impairment experienced by patients. By gaining a better understanding of the underlying changes leading to significant hand deformity, further insight into the appropriate management and care of this patient population can be achieved. There are many Canadian people suffering with this condition; decreased use of the hands can significantly impair performance of daily activities therefore this insight has the potential to lead to significant improvements both in the quality of personal health of individuals and in the overall health of the population. The development of a more current knowledge base in this area can also initiate further research into the role of MRI in quality patient care.