Mj. Wheatley et al., CLOSED RUPTURE OF THE DEEP TRANSVERSE METACARPAL LIGAMENT - DIAGNOSISAND MANAGEMENT, The Journal of hand surgery, 23A(3), 1998, pp. 524-528
Closed rupture of the deep transverse metacarpal ligament (DTML) is an
unusual injury. We have managed 2 patients with closed rupture of the
DTML between the ring and small fingers resulting from crush injuries
to the hand. Both patients presented with painful ulnar deviation of
the small finger with extension. The diagnosis was confirmed by explor
ation through a volar incision. Repair of the ligament with use of the
adjacent Al pulleys to butress the repair was successful in both pati
ents and restored a painless finger flexion-extension are. Closed rupt
ure of the DTML can be confused with a metacarpophalangeal joint colla
teral ligament rupture due to the characteristic deviation of the smal
l finger. Copyright (C) 1998 by the American Society for Surgery of th
e Hand.