Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. It's long been said that in addition to a large brain, another critical characteristic that separates us from most other animals ...

When you give a thumbs-up and notice your digit bends backward at an unusually dramatic angle, you’re witnessing what medical professionals call “distal hyperextensibility” — though most people know ...

Give yourself a thumbs-up, then take a closer look. If your thumb’s tip extends back toward your knuckle more than 50 degrees, you may have hitchhiker’s thumb. The nickname replaces its more technical ...

Some people have thumbs that are hypermobile. This means they bend backward beyond the typical range. The medical term for hitchhiker’s thumb is distal hyperextensibility. It is also known as Z-shaped ...

LRTI stands for ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition. It’s a type of surgery for treating arthritis of the thumb, a common type of arthritis in the hand. Joints are formed where two bones ...

We humans belong to a family of primates lucky enough to have what we call “an opposable thumb.” They are called opposable because the thumb can be moved around to touch the other fingers. Thumbs help ...

Similar to getting a new knee or hip to relieve severe arthritis, a growing number of people are getting a thumb joint replacement. The surgery itself is very intricate because of the small space.

Thumb hypermobility is when a person’s thumb joint has an unusually large range of movement. Some people may experience mild to severe joint pain and require treatment. Share on Pinterest Ivan ...

Pain or a lack of movement in the thumb could indicate an underlying health condition, such as arthritis, a sprain, or other injury. Exercises, splinting, and medication are some of the treatment ...

Your thumb has two bones called the phalanges. The most common fracture associated with a broken thumb is actually to the larger bone of your hand known as the first metacarpal. This bone connects to ...

Hitchhiker's thumb is otherwise known as distal hyperextensibility of the thumb. This is because of the genetic traits that make a person bend his thumb backward while stretching. The distal joint ...