title: Rupture of the ulnar ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb.
abstract: We have operated on 51 old injuries with abduction instability of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. The time from injury to operation was 8 weeks to 5 years. Ligament repair was made in 29 cases. In 22 cases arthrodesis of the joint was performed because of primary unsuccessful operation or arthrosis of the joint. The patients were followed-up for 6.9 years on average. Twenty-three patients with ligament repair were satisfied, while 6 patients were not satisfied; 4 having a disabling instability and 2 complaining of pain and stiffness of the joint. By stress radiography only 15 of the 29 patients had a stable joint. All the patients with arthrodesis of the joint were satisfied, having a painless and well-functioning thumb.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001174:Arthrodesis; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D012421:Rupture; D013933:Thumb / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery