Dislocation of the Metacarpophalangeal Joint Hand: Report of Three Cases

Roh, Kwon Jae; Kim, Jae Whan

Abstract

Dislocation of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the finger is rare except thumb. We experienced a case of volar dislocation of little finger and 2 cases of dorsal dislocation of index finger. The mechanism of injury seems to be direct trauma to the dorsum of hand with the metacarpophalangeal joint acutely flexed in volar dislocation and the dorsal dislocation is forced the metacarpophalangeal joint into hyperextension. In 1957, Kaplan advocated the triple incision, that is release of the volar fibrocartilageous plate, the natatory ligament, and the superficial transverse metacarpal ligament, exposing the operation field through a palmar approach. The recommended treatment for such very rare injury is open reduction through nalmar approach in dorsal dislocation, and dorsal approach in volar dislocation; the single most important element preventing reduction is interposition of the volar plate within the joint space in dorsal dislocation and the obstacles of volar dislocation are entraped dorsal capsule and partial ruptured extensor tendon. In dorsal dislocation, we advocated only half release of volar fibrocartilage for lessor trauma of soft tissue and reduction was made easily after release of 1/2 volar fibrocartilage. We report this rare and interesting cases with review of literature.