Midterm clinical outcomes of collateral ligament repair of the thumb and lesser digits: a retrospective analysis of 35 cases

Abstract Background Finger collateral ligament injuries are common, and conservative treatment usually works well. However, complete ruptures that lead to instability could cause painful disability. This study presents our clinical experience and a qualitative functional evaluation following the sur...

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Main Author: Mehmet Sukru Sahin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2022-07-01
Series:BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05605-1
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author Mehmet Sukru Sahin
author_facet Mehmet Sukru Sahin
author_sort Mehmet Sukru Sahin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Finger collateral ligament injuries are common, and conservative treatment usually works well. However, complete ruptures that lead to instability could cause painful disability. This study presents our clinical experience and a qualitative functional evaluation following the surgical repair of the thumb and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint collateral ligament ruptures. Methods Thirty-five patients (22 men and 13 women), diagnosed via a physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a total collateral ligament rupture in the metacarpophalangeal thumb (16) and PIP joints of the lesser digits (19) and treated surgically, were evaluated retrospectively. The limited range of motion; functional score by Saetta; disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score; pre- and post-operative pain, deformity level; and post-operative ability to grip keys, buttons, and jars were measured. The significance of the change between the pre and post-operative visual analog scale for pain (VAS) scores were evaluated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The difference between the lesser digits and thumb groups by patient age was evaluated using the Mann–Whitney-U test. All data, such as the mean, range, and standard deviation, were calculated using SPSS. Results The mean pre- and post-operative VAS scores were 4.8 (from 3 to 7) and 0.91 (0 to 4), respectively. The mean post-operative limitation in the range of motion was 9.78° (s = 14.47) for lesser digits and 6.87° (s = 12.29) for the thumb. According to Seatta et al., the final functional score was 62.5% excellent, 25% good, and 12.5% moderate for the thumb and 84.2% excellent, 10.5% good, and 5.3% poor for the lesser digits. The mean post-operative DASH score was 13.55 (SD: 8.77) for lesser digits and 14.22 (SD: 8.9) for the thumb. The mean contralateral (healthy) hand DASH score was 0.75 (SD: 1.05) for lesser digits and 0.75 (SD: 1.05) for the thumb. For the thumb and lesser digits, the z-scores were − 3.55 and − 3.787, respectively, and the progress of the VAS score was significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion After a 40-month follow-up for 35 acute, subacute, and chronic cases, the results suggest that direct and suture-anchor repairs are feasible, painless treatments associated with good finger function.
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spelling doaj.art-250bb7483d9b499d919acef419fd036b2022-12-22T02:31:49ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742022-07-0123111110.1186/s12891-022-05605-1Midterm clinical outcomes of collateral ligament repair of the thumb and lesser digits: a retrospective analysis of 35 casesMehmet Sukru Sahin0Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Baskent University Alanya Research and Practice CenterAbstract Background Finger collateral ligament injuries are common, and conservative treatment usually works well. However, complete ruptures that lead to instability could cause painful disability. This study presents our clinical experience and a qualitative functional evaluation following the surgical repair of the thumb and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint collateral ligament ruptures. Methods Thirty-five patients (22 men and 13 women), diagnosed via a physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a total collateral ligament rupture in the metacarpophalangeal thumb (16) and PIP joints of the lesser digits (19) and treated surgically, were evaluated retrospectively. The limited range of motion; functional score by Saetta; disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score; pre- and post-operative pain, deformity level; and post-operative ability to grip keys, buttons, and jars were measured. The significance of the change between the pre and post-operative visual analog scale for pain (VAS) scores were evaluated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The difference between the lesser digits and thumb groups by patient age was evaluated using the Mann–Whitney-U test. All data, such as the mean, range, and standard deviation, were calculated using SPSS. Results The mean pre- and post-operative VAS scores were 4.8 (from 3 to 7) and 0.91 (0 to 4), respectively. The mean post-operative limitation in the range of motion was 9.78° (s = 14.47) for lesser digits and 6.87° (s = 12.29) for the thumb. According to Seatta et al., the final functional score was 62.5% excellent, 25% good, and 12.5% moderate for the thumb and 84.2% excellent, 10.5% good, and 5.3% poor for the lesser digits. The mean post-operative DASH score was 13.55 (SD: 8.77) for lesser digits and 14.22 (SD: 8.9) for the thumb. The mean contralateral (healthy) hand DASH score was 0.75 (SD: 1.05) for lesser digits and 0.75 (SD: 1.05) for the thumb. For the thumb and lesser digits, the z-scores were − 3.55 and − 3.787, respectively, and the progress of the VAS score was significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion After a 40-month follow-up for 35 acute, subacute, and chronic cases, the results suggest that direct and suture-anchor repairs are feasible, painless treatments associated with good finger function.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05605-1Finger injuryProximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint collateral ligament injuryThumb collateral ligament injuryCollateral ligament repairSuture anchor
spellingShingle Mehmet Sukru Sahin
Midterm clinical outcomes of collateral ligament repair of the thumb and lesser digits: a retrospective analysis of 35 cases
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Finger injury
Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint collateral ligament injury
Thumb collateral ligament injury
Collateral ligament repair
Suture anchor
title Midterm clinical outcomes of collateral ligament repair of the thumb and lesser digits: a retrospective analysis of 35 cases
title_full Midterm clinical outcomes of collateral ligament repair of the thumb and lesser digits: a retrospective analysis of 35 cases
title_fullStr Midterm clinical outcomes of collateral ligament repair of the thumb and lesser digits: a retrospective analysis of 35 cases
title_full_unstemmed Midterm clinical outcomes of collateral ligament repair of the thumb and lesser digits: a retrospective analysis of 35 cases
title_short Midterm clinical outcomes of collateral ligament repair of the thumb and lesser digits: a retrospective analysis of 35 cases
title_sort midterm clinical outcomes of collateral ligament repair of the thumb and lesser digits a retrospective analysis of 35 cases
topic Finger injury
Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint collateral ligament injury
Thumb collateral ligament injury
Collateral ligament repair
Suture anchor
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05605-1
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