Skip to main content

MCP (Metacarpophalangeal) Collateral Ligament Sprain, Sports Medicine

Jason L. Zaremski, MD, CAQSM, FAAPMR, FACSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Injury to the collateral ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints; most commonly the MCP joint of the thumb

  • An injury to the MCP ligament may result in a simple sprain to a c...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • MCP collateral ligament sprain is most commonly an acute injury related to trauma.

  • Mechanism of injury to the UCL of the MCP joint of the thumb is sudden, forced, radial deviation (abd...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Analgesia: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ice

  • Non–thumb-related collateral ligament sprains, depending on severity, can be splinted immobilized or “buddy taped...

ONGOING CARE

COMPLICATIONS

Inadequate treatment of UCL thumb injuries may result in chronic painful instability, weakness of pinch, and arthritis 6

REFERENCES

1
Avery DMIII, Inkellis ER, Carlson MG. Thumb collateral ligament injuries in the athlete. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med.  2017;10(1):28–37.
2
Carlsen BT, Moran SL. Thumb trauma: Bennett fra...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Acute (thumb) UCL injuries are common injuries in all athletes.

  • The MOI is a sudden, forced, radial deviation (abduction).

  • Timely diagnosis is important to determine the severity of the ...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

×