LONG-TERM RESULTS AFTER SURGICAL-TREATMEN T OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC INSTABILITY OF THE ULNAR COLLATERAL LIGAMENT OF THE THUMB

A total of 113 patients with acute and chronic instability of the ulna r collateral ligament metacarpal phalangeal (MP) joint of the thumb we re treated surgically between 1980 and 1985; 82 patients were followed up after a mean period of 10 years. Of 59 patients with acute injurie s, 52 were painfree with full stability of the MP joint; 23 patients w ith chronic instability and tendon grafting also showed restoration of stability. Nevertheless, the range of motion was reduced severely and opposition of the thumb was impaired. The results of follow-up reveal that acute reattachment of the injured ulnar collateral ligament is m ore effective.