Clin Orthop Surg.  2012 Sep;4(3):246-248. 10.4055/cios.2012.4.3.246.

Bilateral Carpometacarpal Joint Dislocations of the Thumb

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea School of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea. jikocmc@naver.com

Abstract

A traumatic carpometacarpal joint dislocation of the thumb accounts for less than 1% of all hand injuries. Optimal treatment strategies for this injury are still a subject of debate. In this article, we report a case of bilateral thumb carpometacarpal joint dislocations: a unique combination of injuries. We believe our case is the second report of bilateral carpometacarpal joint dislocation regarding the thumb in English literature. It was successfully treated with closed reduction and percutaneous K-wires fixation on one side, and an open reduction and reconstruction of the ligament on the other side.

Keyword

Bilateral; Carpometacarpal joint; Dislocation; Thumb

MeSH Terms

Bone Wires
Carpometacarpal Joints/*injuries/*surgery
Dislocations/*surgery
Hand Injuries/*surgery
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Thumb/*injuries/*surgery

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Radiographs of both hands showed a dislocation of the carpometacarpal joint in both thumbs with a tiny fracture fragment in the right hand.

  • Fig. 2 Closed reduction and percutaneous K-wires fixation were performed in the right hand (A). Also, open reduction and ligamentous reconstruction were performed in the left hand (B).

  • Fig. 3 Intraoperative photographs for the reconstruction of the volar oblique ligament according to the Eaton and Littler technique. (A) Radial half of the flexor carpi radialis (black star) was passed through a drill hole in the base of the first metacarpal bone (MC). (B) It was placed beneath the abductor pollicis longus (white arrow) and then passed around the remaining flexor carpi radialis (white arrow head) and secured over the dorsal capsule.


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