Diagnosis by Ultrasound of Dislocated Ulnar Collateral Ligament of the Thumb

Abstract

The ability of ultrasound to assess a displaced ulnar collateral ligament of the 1st metacarpo-phalangeal (MCl") joint was evaluated. If the ligament is ruptured and displaced proximal to the adductor aponeurosis, a surgical repair should be undertaken to restore stability. Ultrasound accurately diagnosed these lesions in 32/39 operated patients. In 4 cases the ultrasound examination suggested a more severe lesion than was found at operation. In 3 cases a lesser injury was suspected than later proved to be present.

The Stener Lesion: Historical Perspective and Evolution of Diagnostic Criteria

“…The use of this equipment for extremity injuries was made possible by the technological advancement of scanners and coils permitting visualization of small structures, 16 which offered a promising, noninvasive approach for preoperative diagnoses. 11,12,21,28 Numerous studies began testing the specificity and sensitivity of this equipment in detection of displacement in thumbs with suspected UCL rupture and Stener lesion by comparing diagnoses made through utilization of each imaging technique with those made during surgery. Similar positive results were collected for both imaging techniques, though each provided entirely different perspectives and images of the MCP joint.…”

Sonographic diagnosis of acute injuries of the ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb

“…6 Third, precise assessment is difficult in chronic cases due to scar tissue. 4,6 Despite these drawbacks, sonography is convenient, cost-effective, and reliable, and should be the technique of choice for assessing UCL injuries in the MP joint of the thumb.…”

“…However, if the torn ligament remains in its original position, it can be effectively treated by way of a 4week period of immobilization. [2][3][4][5][6] Therefore, precise assessment of UCL pathology is essential to determine the best method of treatment. Various means of evaluating UCL injuries have been reported, including sonography, arthrography, stress test under anesthesia, and stress radiographs.…”

Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in detecting Stener lesions of the thumb: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Nine single-centre studies assessed US Hoglund et al, 1995;Melville et al, 2013;Murphey et al, 1997;Noszian et al, 1995;O'Callaghan et al, 1994;Schnur et al, 2002;Shinohara et al, 2007;Susic et al, 1999) (Table 1). All, but two studies (Melville et al, 2013;Schnur et al, 2002) were prospective.…”