Thumb collateral ligament injuries - An anatomic basis for treatment

Highly prevalent in sports, complete ulnar and radial collateral Ligament d isruptions of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint are serious, destabilizin g injuries optimally treated by surgical repair. The classic ulnar collater al ligament lesion is refractory to nonoperative treatment owing to adducto r interposition between the torn Ligamentous ends. The radial collateral li gament lesion is prone to wide displacement, and without repair is apt to r esult in a consistent and rapid pathologic sequence of joint instability, d eformity, and articular degeneration. Based on experimental and clinical ev aluation, this article defines the key anatomic constituents requiring rest itution for preservation of joint stability and recovery of maximum functio n.