Gamekeeper's thumb: a quantitative evaluation of acute surgical repair.

A consecutive series of patients who underwent operation for acute rupture of the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb during a 3 year period from 1985 to 1988 at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh were identified. In total 44 patients sustained this injury of whom 19 were available for clinical assessment. The minimum period of follow-up was 17 months (mean 32 months). All patients were satisfied although six had minor symptoms of discomfort. There were no failures of repair; all repaired ligaments were considered to be clinically taut. A quantitative evaluation demonstrated all had good restoration of pinch grip.