Bony avulsion of radial collateral ligament of thumb

Case contributed by Maulik S Patel
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Trauma to the left thumb one day before the presentation. Complaining of pain and swelling at the radial side of the thumb MCP joint.

Patient Data

Age: 45 years
Gender: Female

There is a bony avulsion from the radial side of the thumb proximal phalanx base. There is no dislocation/bone lesion.

There is a bony avulsion of the radial collateral ligament from the phalanx base which shows a corresponding defect. The ligament shows edema at the distal end. The proximal part of the ligament shows a normal echopattern. The ulnar collateral ligament is normal.

The contralateral asymptomatic radial collateral ligament was examined for comparison which shows a normal echopattern.

Case Discussion

A female had thumb trauma followed by pain and swelling on the radial side of the thumb MCP joint. The radiograph shows a bony avulsion at the proximal phalanx base on the radial side. The ultrasound shows a bony avulsion of the radial collateral ligament which is lying deep to the aponeurosis. Radial collateral ligament injury is less common than ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb.  

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