[Locking of the metacarpophalangeal joint of articular origin. Review of the literature and case report].

We report a case and review concerning literature of intrinsic locking of the metacarpophalangeal joint. These lockings are usually due commonly to degenerative arthritis of the joint, rarely to an abnormal shape of the head of metacarpal or intraarticular loose bodies. They should be differentiated from the extension lag of proximal interphalangeal joint usually encountered in "trigger finger" due to stenosing tenosynovitis. Conservative treatment must be careful and may fail or be complicated. Surgical treatment is effective, best done via an anatomical approach depending on the pathologic findings and the metacarpophalangeal joint locking etiology.