Diagnosis of displaced ulnar collateral ligament of the ³

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metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. Abrahamsson SO. Sollerman C. Lundborg G. Larsson J. Egund N. Journal of Hand Surgery - American Volume. 15(3):457-60, 1990 May. In a prospective study of 24 consecutive patients with posttraumatic instability of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb, clinical Á examination including instability tests and palpation of displaced ulnar collateral ligaments was used to separate the patients into two groups--nondisplaced and displaced ruptures. Palpable displaced ruptures were treated surgically, whereas nonpalpable ruptures were interpreted as nondisplaced and were treated with plaster, irrespective of the instability. At follow-up 1 year later both groups showed similar results with respect to stability, strength, and function. Our results indicate that a clinical examination with palpation of the torn ligament ends identifies displaced ruptures of the ulnar collateral ligament, i.e., those cases needing surgery. Nondisplaced ruptures might be treated nonoperatively. *