ULTRASONOGRAPHIC STRESS-TESTING OF ULNAR COLLATERAL LIGAMENT INJURIESOF THE THUMB

We compared ultrasonographic stress test evaluation to clinical examin ation of ulnar collateral ligament injuries to the thumb. The results of the sonographic and clinical examinations were compared to either o perative findings or clinical follow-up results if conservative treatm ent was elected. 25 patients, the clinical grade injury was identified correctly in 25 with ultrasonography compared to 24 with clinical exa mination. Of the grade III tears, ultrasonography missed two patients with Stener tears and physical examination misidentified or missed fou r patients with Stener tears. These results confirm the experience of others that ultrasonography is a useful method to evaluate injury to t he ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb.