ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction

Last reviewed 01/2018

The ulnar collateral ligament may need to be reconstructed at the metacarpophalangel joint of the thumb. Options include:

  • plication of the existing ulnar collateral ligament
  • creation of a new ligament with a:
    • flap of local periosteum
    • tendon graft such as palmaris longus
    • use of a slip of the FDS tendon from the middle or ring fingers if this has been used to undertake an opponensplasty

If there is a paucity of soft tissue, a fusion may be attempted eg chondrodesis to permit future growth of the physis.