Reconstruction of chronic thumb metacarpophalangeal radial collateral ligament injuries with free tendon grafts.

Objective: This study aims to review our reconstruction method to treat chronic grade 3 thumb metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint radial collateral ligament (RCL) tears using free tendon grafts.

Methods: Thirteen male patients (mean age 41 years; range, 20 to 67 years) who received a free tendon graft to treat chronic grade 3 thumb MP joint RCL injury between May 2016 and July 2018 were evaluated prospectively. Patients with incomplete bone maturation (n=1), those who had additional injuries in the same extremity (n=1), and those who had previously undergone surgery on the same extremity (n=1) were excluded. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was used for functional evaluation and the visual analog scale (VAS) was also used for pain evaluation.

Results: The decrease in DASH (p=0.008) and VAS (p=0.03) scores and the increase in grip (p=0.031) and pinch strength (p=0.006) between the preoperative and final follow-up values were statistically significant. No ulnar deviation was observed in X-rays at the final examination, nor was MP joint radial instability observed under ulnar stress during clinical examinations. In two patients, 1 and 1.5 mm palmar subluxation was observed at final examination. The other 11 patients had no palmar subluxation at final examination.

Conclusions: Although ours is a more complicated method compared to other reconstruction approaches, we think that it is a suitable alternative for achieving joint stability and good functional results.