SURGICAL IN JUR IES REPAIR OF ACUTE COLLATERAL L IGAMENT IN D IG ITS WITH THE MITEK BONE SUTURE ANCHOR

Eighteen acute grade Il l collateral ligament injuries were treated by using the Mitek bone suture anchor. Seven were thumb metacarpophalangeal joint injuries, and eleven were finger proximal interphalangeal joint injuries. Seventeen patients were followed more than 12 months after surgery. All patients were able to use the digits in daily living activities within 5 weeks after surgery, and return to their original work or sports activities within 12 weeks. Pain was completely relieved in 15 patients. Loss of joint motion averaged 7 °. In all joints the postoperative lateral stress angle was within 10 ° of that of the contralateral digit. Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume, 1999)24B: 1. " 70 75 Injuries of the collateral ligament of the metacarpopha-langeal (MCP) jo int of the thumb and the proximal interphalangeal (PIP)joints of the fingers are common in sports or at work. Splinting or immobilization for 3 to 4 weeks is the commonly accepted treatment for grade I and II injuries. However, in grade IlI injuries with complete rupture of the ligament, such conservative treatment often results in pain, instability, and weakness of pinch strength (Louis et al., 1986; Redler and Williams, 1967; Rodriguez, 1973: Wray et al., 1984). Primary repair is usually recommended for grade lII injuries of the collateral ligament of the thumb MCP or finger PIP joints in patients who are manual abourers o