Thumb Metacarpophalangeal Joint Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair



Thumb Metacarpophalangeal Joint Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair


Blake K. Montgomery, MD

Jeffrey Yao, MD


Dr. Yao or an immediate family member has received royalties from Arthrex, Inc.; is a member of a speakers’ bureau or has made paid presentations on behalf of Arthrex, Inc. and Trimed; has stock or stock options held in 3D Systems, Elevate Braces, and McGinley Orthopedics; serves as a board member, owner, officer, or committee member of the American Association of Hand Surgery, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and the Arthroscopy Association of North America. Neither Dr. Montgomery nor any immediate family member has received anything of value from or has stock or stock options held in a commercial company or institution related directly or indirectly to the subject of this chapter.



PATIENT SELECTION




PREOPERATIVE (DIAGNOSTIC) IMAGING

Prior to thumb ulnar collateral ligament repair or reconstruction, preoperative plain radiographs should be obtained. Three views of the thumb are obtained to evaluate for any joint subluxation or deformity, to rule out any fracture, and to evaluate for signs of arthritis (Figure 3). If the examiner is unable to determine if the UCL is completely torn or unable to determine if a Stener lesion is present on physical examination, then an MRI or an ultrasonography may be considered6,7 (Figure 2). Fluoroscopy stress views of both thumbs can be obtained and compared. Stress views are a reliable way to quickly demonstrate instability at relatively low cost8 (Figure 4).


Feb 2, 2020 | Posted by in ORTHOPEDIC | Comments Off on Thumb Metacarpophalangeal Joint Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair

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