CLOSED RUPTURE OF THE DEEP TRANSVERSE METACARPAL LIGAMENT - DIAGNOSISAND MANAGEMENT

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.