College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

Which pathology is Ulnar Drift commonly associated with?

1. Gout

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis

3. Osteoporosis

4. Tendinitis

The correct answer is: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Ulnar Drift is a deformity that is typically associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This condition leads to inflammation in the joints, particularly in the hands, causing pain, swelling, and eventually deformities due to the erosion of joint surfaces. In rheumatoid arthritis, the inflammation can affect the ligaments and tendons around the fingers, which can pull the joints towards the ulnar side (the side of the little finger). This results in the characteristic ulnar drift of the fingers as they begin to angle towards the ulna bone in the forearm. Gout, while also a form of arthritis, typically presents with sudden, severe attacks of pain and swelling in the joints and does not lead to the same kind of structural changes over time as rheumatoid arthritis does. Osteoporosis affects bone density and strength but does not directly cause joint deformities or specifically result in ulnar drift. Tendinitis involves inflammation of tendons, which is different from the joint involvement seen in rheumatoid arthritis and does not lead to the same deformities within the joints. Thus, the association of ulnar drift with rheumatoid arthritis is well-established due to the pathological processes involved in joint erosion and deformation that this autoimmune condition causes.