Operative Treatment of Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury

Purpose: We reviewed 12 operative cases with ulnar collateral ligament injury of the thumb, and evaluated about gender, age, etiology, injury mechanism, surgical method, prognosis. Materials and Methods: We had operated when there was avulsion fracture over 2mm and when abduction arc was over 30 degrees in the stress view. In the 12 cases, there were 5 men and 7 women. Average age was 26.5 years (from 10 to 57 years). There were 9 cases with avulsion fracture as injury pattern. In the avulsion fracture cases, epiphyseal injury were 3 cases. Results: Surgical methods were needle fixation 7 cases, pull out wire technique 1 case, Statak anchor 3 cases, loose body excision and primary closure 1 case. Average follow up period was 14 months. The clinical results were excellent in 8 cases, and good in 4 cases. In the good prognosis group, there was no joint instability, but there were pain, tightness, and slightly limitation of motion. Conclusion: If complete rupture of the ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb is left uncorrected, this lesion prevents proper healing and leads to chronic instability and subsequent arthrosis. We achieved satisfactory results after operative treatment in avulsed fractures and over 30 degrees instability in the stress view.ope