Acute and late radial collateral ligament injuries of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint.

Eighteen patients were treated surgically for injuries to the radial collateral ligament of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint. Late repairs were performed in 12 and immediate repairs in 6. At follow-up after a mean of 6 years, 94% of the patients were completely satisfied with the results. No patients had significant pain in their thumbs, and none were limited in work or avocational activities. A stable repair was maintained in all patients. There was no difference in grip or pinch strengths between the immediate and late groups. Loss of thumb motion in the late group (mean = 77% of normal) was slightly more than that in the immediate group (mean = 89% of normal). Late repair gives equally good subjective results and causes a slightly greater loss of thumb motion than immediate repair.