Collateral ligament injuries of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint. 2011

Peter Tang
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.

The ulnar and radial collateral ligaments are primary stabilizers of the thumb metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint. Injury to these ligaments can lead to instability and disability. Stress testing is essential to establish the diagnosis. Complete tear is diagnosed on physical examination when the proximal phalanx of the thumb can be angulated ulnarly or radially on the metacarpal head by 30° to 35° with the MP joint in either zero degrees of extension or 30° of flexion. Lack of a firm end point or angulation measuring >15° on stress testing compared with the contralateral thumb MP joint are also indicative of complete tear. Partial ligament injuries may be managed nonsurgically, but complete tears are usually managed surgically. Various techniques are used to reattach the ligament to bone, including suture anchors and, less commonly, repair of midsubstance tears. Options for managing chronic injuries include ligament repair, ligament reconstruction with a free tendon graft, and arthrodesis of the MP joint.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007593 Joint Instability Lack of stability of a joint or joint prosthesis. Hypermobility, Joint,Instability, Joint,Laxity, Joint,Hypermobilities, Joint,Instabilities, Joint,Joint Hypermobilities,Joint Hypermobility,Joint Instabilities,Joint Laxities,Joint Laxity,Laxities, Joint
D008662 Metacarpophalangeal Joint The articulation between a metacarpal bone and a phalanx. Joint, Metacarpophalangeal,Joints, Metacarpophalangeal,Metacarpophalangeal Joints
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013933 Thumb The first digit on the radial side of the hand which in humans lies opposite the other four. Thumbs
D016059 Range of Motion, Articular The distance and direction to which a bone joint can be extended. Range of motion is a function of the condition of the joints, muscles, and connective tissues involved. Joint flexibility can be improved through appropriate MUSCLE STRETCHING EXERCISES. Passive Range of Motion,Joint Flexibility,Joint Range of Motion,Range of Motion,Flexibility, Joint
D016896 Treatment Outcome Evaluation undertaken to assess the results or consequences of management and procedures used in combating disease in order to determine the efficacy, effectiveness, safety, and practicability of these interventions in individual cases or series. Rehabilitation Outcome,Treatment Effectiveness,Clinical Effectiveness,Clinical Efficacy,Patient-Relevant Outcome,Treatment Efficacy,Effectiveness, Clinical,Effectiveness, Treatment,Efficacy, Clinical,Efficacy, Treatment,Outcome, Patient-Relevant,Outcome, Rehabilitation,Outcome, Treatment,Outcomes, Patient-Relevant,Patient Relevant Outcome,Patient-Relevant Outcomes
D017885 Collateral Ligaments A number of ligaments on either side of, and serving as a radius of movement of, a joint having a hingelike movement. They occur at the elbow, knee, wrist, metacarpo- and metatarsophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, and distal interphalangeal joints of the hands and feet. (Stedman, 25th ed) Lateral Ligaments,Ligaments, Collateral,Ligaments, Lateral,Collateral Ligament,Lateral Ligament,Ligament, Collateral,Ligament, Lateral
D019637 Orthopedic Procedures Procedures used to treat and correct deformities, diseases, and injuries to the MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM, its articulations, and associated structures. Orthopedic Surgery,Surgery, Orthopedic,Orthopedic Rehabilitation Surgery,Orthopedic Surgical Procedures,Orthopedic Procedure,Orthopedic Rehabilitation Surgeries,Orthopedic Surgeries,Orthopedic Surgical Procedure,Procedure, Orthopedic,Procedure, Orthopedic Surgical,Procedures, Orthopedic,Procedures, Orthopedic Surgical,Rehabilitation Surgeries, Orthopedic,Rehabilitation Surgery, Orthopedic,Surgeries, Orthopedic,Surgeries, Orthopedic Rehabilitation,Surgery, Orthopedic Rehabilitation,Surgical Procedure, Orthopedic,Surgical Procedures, Orthopedic

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