Ultrasonographic stress testing of ulnar collateral ligament injuries of the thumb

We compared ultrasonographic stress test evaluation to clinical examination of ulnar collateral ligament injuries to the thumb. The results of the sonographic and clinical examinations were compared to either operative findings or clinical follow‐up results if conservative treatment was elected. Of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of ultrasound in medicine 1997-03, Vol.16 (3), p.201-207
Main Authors: Murphey, S. L, Hashimoto, B. E, Buckmiller, J, Kramer, D, Wiitala, L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Collateral Ligaments - diagnostic imaging
Collateral Ligaments - injuries
Collateral Ligaments - pathology
Diagnosis
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Joints
Ligaments
Medical imaging
Medical problems
Medical sciences
Metacarpophalangeal Joint - diagnostic imaging
Patient treatment
Thumb - injuries
Ulna - diagnostic imaging
Ultrasonic investigative techniques
Ultrasonography
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Description
Summary:We compared ultrasonographic stress test evaluation to clinical examination of ulnar collateral ligament injuries to the thumb. The results of the sonographic and clinical examinations were compared to either operative findings or clinical follow‐up results if conservative treatment was elected. Of 25 patients, the clinical grade injury was identified correctly in 25 with ultrasonography compared to 24 with clinical examination. Of the grade III tears, ultrasonography missed two patients with Stener tears and physical examination misidentified or missed four patients with Stener tears. These results confirm the experience of others that ultrasonography is a useful method to evaluate injury to the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb.
ISSN:0278-4297
1550-9613
DOI:10.7863/jum.1997.16.3.201