PATIENTS AND METHODS

The range of motion of the MP joint of the thumb following repair of the ulnar collateral ligament has been compared with the range of motion of the uninjured thumb. By making this comparison we conclude that there is no good evidence that joint stiffness is a common post-operative complication. Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume, 1993) 18B: 710-711 Previous studies have reported restricted flexion at the MP joint of the thumb as a complication of operative repair of the ulnar collateral ligament following an acute injury (Bowers and Hurst, 1977; Louis et al, 1986; Smith, 1977). Engelhardt et al (1993) have reported similar findings with reduced flexion in eight out of 15 patients and suggest that limited movement is an import-ant factor in influencing the overall outcome. However, in all these studies the authors have failed to define clearly their criteria for a normal range of movement. Joseph (1951) has previously established an average range of flexion for the general population. He also noted a clear correlation in the range of flexion when comparing the two thumbs in any one individual. This finding has been confirmed by Shaw and Morris (1992). It is clearly important when assessing the range of flexion at this joint to compare it with the opposite thumb. With this in mind we have reviewed patients who have had operative repair of the ulnar collateral ligament in order to compare flexion between the injured thumb and the uninjured side