Chronic Instability of the Carpometacarpal Joint of the Thumb after Trauma: A Report of 3 Cases

Posttraumatic instability of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb are rarely reported. Consequently little is known about clinical and radiologic diagnosis, natural progress or treatment method. We report three cases of chronic instability of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb treated with Eaton and Littler's ligament reconstruction. Satisfactory thumb functions were restored without arthritic change or recurrent subluxation.

Ligament Reconstruction for the Posttraumatic Instability of the Carpometacarpal Joint of the Thumb: A Report of Three Cases / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Eaton and Littler's ligament reconstruction is used to treat carpometacarpal instability of the thumb using the flexor carpi radialis tendon. This procedure involves a reconstruction of the deep anterior oblique ligament in patients with post-traumatic prearthritic unstable joints. According to a recent paper, the dorsoradial ligament as well as the deep anterior oblique ligament plays an important role in stabilizing the trapeziometacarpal joint. We report three cases of post-traumatic instability in a prearthritic thumb that was treated with Eaton and Littler's reconstruction using the flexor carpi radialis tendon.