Paper
Thumb Metacarpophalangeal Joint Collateral Ligament Injury
Published Sep 30, 2021 · Adriana Urruela, M. Carlson
Hand and Wrist Injuries in Baseball
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Abstract
The thumb collateral ligaments at the metacarpophalangeal joint are important to the elite baseball player for precision grip and pinch. Injuries to these ligaments can result in pain and instability. The mechanism of injury is a radially directed or ulnarly directed force on an extended thumb, which can occur from falling onto an abducted thumb, sliding into a base, or attempting to catch a baseball with the non-gloved hand. These injuries are seen at a higher frequency at the elite level as athletes within their individual sports continue to increase in speed and power. Whereas the collateral ligament tears used to be associated primarily with recreational skier’s injury, these injuries have been reported with increasing frequency in major professional sports such as baseball. The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and radial collateral ligament (RCL) injuries of the thumb occur through different mechanisms and are described in separate sections given the differences in anatomy.
Elite baseball players experience increased frequency of thumb collateral ligament injuries due to increased speed and power, leading to pain and instability.
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