J Korean Soc Surg Hand.  2013 Jun;18(2):67-70. 10.12790/jkssh.2013.18.2.67.

Posttraumatic Chronic Volar Instability of the Thumb Metacarpophalangeal Joint

• Lee YS
• Seo BH
• Oh YU

• KMID: 2194159
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12790/jkssh.2013.18.2.67

Abstract

Posttraumatic volar instability of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint with hyperextensile laxity makes pain and weakness during pinch or grip exercise. Several surgical procedures have been described to eliminate thumb metacarpophalangeal joint hyperextension. We treated a patient who had suffered from volar instability with pain for 17 years using volar plate repair and capsulodesis with suture anchor. The result was successful with satisfactory recovery of the hand function.

Keyword

Metacarpophalangeal joint; Volar instability; Volar capsulodesis

MeSH Terms

Hand
Hand Strength
Humans
Metacarpophalangeal Joint
Suture Anchors
Thumb
Palmar Plate

Figure

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  Fig. 1. (A) Forty-six-year-old male with a 50° hyperextension deformity of his right metacarpophalangeal joint. (B) Opposite metacarpophalangeal joint is measured 25°.

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  Fig. 2. Hyperextension of right thumb before volar capsulodesis.

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  Fig. 3. Pinning of metacarpophalangeal joint.

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  Fig. 4. Postoperative 8 months follow-up clinical photograph shows maximal extension is limited to approximately 10°.

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