Imaging Finger Joint Instability with Ultrasound

Carlo Martinoli; Maribel Miguel Perez; Bianca Bignotti; Sonia Airaldi; Luigi Molfetta; Andrea Klauser; Xavier Demondion; Anne Cotten; Alberto Tagliafico

doi:10.1055/s-0033-1360667

Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology, Table of Contents

Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2013; 17(05): 466-476
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1360667

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Imaging Finger Joint Instability with Ultrasound

Carlo Martinoli

¹Department of Radiology, DISSAL, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy

,

Maribel Miguel Perez

²Unit of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapy, Faculty of Medicine (C Bellvitge), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

,

Bianca Bignotti

¹Department of Radiology, DISSAL, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy

,

Sonia Airaldi

¹Department of Radiology, DISSAL, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy

,

Luigi Molfetta

³Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, DINOGMI, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy

,

Andrea Klauser

⁴Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

,

Xavier Demondion

⁵Department of Skeletal Radiology, Roger Salengro Hospital, Lille, France

,

Anne Cotten

⁵Department of Skeletal Radiology, Roger Salengro Hospital, Lille, France

,

Alberto Tagliafico

⁶Department of Experimental Medicine, DIMES, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Closed injuries affecting the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints and their stabilizers in the thumb and fingers occur very commonly in athletes, possibly leading to finger joint instability and long-standing or permanent disability. This article reviews the spectrum of joint injuries of the thumb and fingers that are common in the athletic population with a main focus on the ultrasound features of collateral ligament tears, palmar plate injuries, and thumb sesamoid fractures. A thorough understanding of the complex anatomy, mechanism of injury, soft tissue abnormalities, and imaging findings is critical in the diagnostic work-up of closed finger joint trauma and may help improve outcomes.

Keywords

finger instability - metacarpophalangeal joint - proximal interphalangeal joint - radial collateral ligament - ulnar collateral ligament - palmar plate - gamekeeper's thumb - Stener lesion - finger sprains - ligament injuries - ultrasound

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References

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