Nailing for Collateral Injuries of the Thumb

Introduction

In the study of sports trauma, ski injuries are among the most common. The diagnosis and classification should be established quickly. Appropriate treatment can then be given and painful after effects avoided, such as post-traumatic degenerative osteoarthritis.

The mechanism which occurs during a fall on skis is called a cutting of the first corner: when the patient falls (particularly in fresh snow) the internal face of the thumb is blocked by the stick but, under the weight of the skier, cutting occurs.

The anatomical characteristics are: the side internal ligament is for the contact of the first phalanx, stuck in the contact of the joint by the chest expander of the thumb, realizing the hurt injury according to Stener [2]. The indication for surgery is then formal to raise the irreducibility and reinsert the ligament [1].

References

• 1 Massart P, Bezes H. L’entorse grave mé tacarpophalangienne du pouce au cours des accidents de ski.  Ann Chir Main. 1984;  3 101-112
• 2 Stener B. Displacement of the ruptured ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpo-phalangeal joint of the thumb.  J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1962;  44 869-879
• 3 Vihtonen K, Patiala K, Rokkanen H. Preliminary results of reinsertion of ruptured ulnar collateral ligament with totally biodegradable polylactidepin.  Acta Orthop Scan. 1990;  61 (Suppl 237) 44