Ulnar drift describes fingers drifting toward which side due to capsule stretching and muscle imbalance, commonly seen in which condition?

• A. Osteoarthritis
• B. Gout
• C. Rheumatoid Arthritis
• D. Dupuytren's Contracture

Answer: (C)

Ulnar drift is when the fingers progressively drift toward the ulnar (little finger) side because chronic inflammation weakens the joint capsule and ligaments around the metacarpophalangeal joints, shifting balance of the tendons and intrinsic muscles so the fingers move outward. This pattern is most commonly seen in rheumatoid arthritis, where persistent synovitis leads to ligament laxity and joint subluxation at the MCP joints. Other conditions can cause different hand deformities, but the ulnar drift described here is characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis.