Management of Complex Hand and Wrist Ligament Injuries

Abstract

Ligamentous injuries in the hand and wrist are often underdiagnosed and can present with significant functional limitations if there is untimely recognition of injury. Adequate repair or reconstruction is critical in restoring joint stability and mobility. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the metacarpophalangeal joint, scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL), and non-SLIL carpal ligament anatomy, diagnosis, imaging, treatment consideration and options, as well as surgical techniques encompassing repair, reconstruction, and fusion.

Keywords: Hand; Ligament injury; Radial collateral ligament; Scapholunate; Skier's thumb; Thumb; Ulnar collateral ligament; Wrist.