Thumb Injuries
A 35-year-old skier falls with an outstretched hand, forcing the ski pole to abduct her thumb. She presents with pain, swelling, and weakness of pinch grip over the ulnar aspect of the thumb MCP joint. Examination reveals ulnar-sided tenderness, instability with valgus stress testing (30 degrees of laxity vs 10 on the contralateral side) with no firm endpoint, and a palpable mass proximal to the MCP joint. Radiographs show no fracture. Regarding thumb ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury:
Mark each as TRUE or FALSE
The thumb UCL has two components: the proper collateral ligament (taut in flexion) and the accessory...
The Stener lesion is a surgical indication where the torn UCL retracts and folds proximally, lying s...
The UCL is taut in extension only; the RCL is the primary stabilizer for pinch; gamekeeper's thumb i...
Clinical examination: ulnar-sided tenderness and swelling, weakness of pinch grip, valgus stress tes...
Treatment: partial tears (stable endpoint, less than 15 degrees excess laxity) can be treated with t...
Answer the questions to see explanations
Click T (True) or F (False) for each option