Patients with metacarpophalangeal joint collateral ligament tears show reduced grip strength

SAN FRANCISCO — Although patients with subacute-to-chronic metacarpophalangeal joint collateral ligament tears who underwent primary repair had restored joint stability, they also had reduced grip strength and residual disability, according to a presentation at the American Society for Surgery of the Hand Annual Meeting, here.

"We feel that the subacute-to-chronic metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint collateral ligament injuries can be repaired primarily to restore joint stability," Justin C. Wong, MD, said. “However, it is important to recognize that despite restoration of joint stability, there may be persistent deficits in improved strength and potentially less than optimal outcomes."

Wong and colleagues retrospectively reviewed 23 patients (25 digits) who underwent primary repair for MCP joint collateral ligament injuries in digits other than the thumb, according to the abstract. Of these patients, 80% had injured dominant hands and 72% of injuries were of the radial collateral ligament.

In all cases, the researchers found complete tears intraoperatively. They noted collateral ligament destruction at the insertion of the proximal phalanx occurred in 80% of cases, with 16% of cases having ligament destruction at the metacarpal origin and from both surgical sites in 4% of cases, according to the abstract. When averaged, the grip strength of both the operated and contralateral hands was 67.6% and the average postoperative DASH score was 22.5 points compared to 45.9 points preoperatively.

Reference:

Wong JC. Paper #34. Presented at: American Society for Surgery of the Hand Annual Meeting. Oct. 3-5, 2013; San Francisco.

Disclosure: Wong has no relevant financial disclosures.