Arthroscopy-aided fixation for metacarpophalangeal joint collateral ligament injury accompanied by osteochondral avulsion injury: Our results and surgical technique

Abstract

Aim: Though metacarpophalangeal joint collateral ligament injuries are commonly observed, the presence of accompanying avulsed osteochondral fragment or aponeurosis injury in adult patients is a situation that may require definite surgical treatment. Our study investigated patients attending our clinic after acute hand trauma with radial or ulnar collateral ligament injury who underwent arthroscopy-aided surgical treatment and who regularly attended check-ups to examine the efficacy and results of arthroscopyaided treatment for collateral ligament injury of the metacarpophalangeal joint. Material and Methods: The study assessed fracture healing, joint movement angles and complications of 11 patients who attended our hand surgery department from December 2015 to April 2018 who had ulnar or radial collateral ligament injury of the metacarpophalangeal joint with accompanying osteochondral avulsion fracture repaired with the aid of arthroscopy with at least 1 year of continuous attendance at check-ups. Results: Four patients had 1st proximal finger avulsion fracture accompanying ulnar collateral ligament injury, four patients had 2nd proximal finger avulsion fracture accompanying ulnar collateral ligament injury, 1 patient had 4th finger and 2 patients had 5th finger proximal phalanx fractures accompanying radial collateral ligament injury. The patients’ avulsion fractures and ligament injuries healed without problem, 2 patients had limited joint movement angles and 1 patient developed complex regional pain syndrome. Conclusion: It is considered that the results of arthroscopy-aided collateral ligament injury repair and avulsed fragment fixation are good and perfect healing.