J. Ryu et R. Fagan, ARTHROSCOPIC TREATMENT OF ACUTE COMPLETE THUMB METACARPOPHALANGEAL ULNAR COLLATERAL LIGAMENT TEARS, The Journal of hand surgery, 20A(6), 1995, pp. 1037-1042
An arthroscopic technique was used to reduce Stener lesions associated
with acute ulnar collateral ligament ruptures of the thumb. We operat
ed on eight thumbs, seven dominant and one nondominant. The average fo
llow-up period was 39 months (range, 30-48). At followup examination,
no patient reported pain or functional limitation or had joint contrac
ture. In most cases, key pinch, tip pinch, grip strength, and range of
motion were equal to or greater than in the thumb on the unaffected s
ide. The only complication, a pin track infection, resolved after wire
removal and treatment with oral antibiotics. Results indicate that ar
throscopic reduction of a Stener lesion allows healing of the ulnar co
llateral ligament without the need for open repair.