Early active mobilization following UCL repair With Mitek bone anchor

Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2013 Sep;17(3):124-7. doi: 10.1097/BTH.0b013e318284dbd7.

Abstract

Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries of the thumb are common. Surgical repair is accepted as the treatment of choice for complete rupture of the ligament. Biomechanical studies have suggested that Mitek bone anchor repairs are potentially safe and strong enough to allow early controlled active mobilization. To date, there have been no studies to compare early active mobilization following Mitek bone anchor repair to standard postoperative rehabilitation involving thumb spica immobilization for the first 4 to 6 weeks. We performed a small pilot randomized control trial to assess the outcome of this new rehabilitation technique to that of standard immobilization following UCL repair with Mitek bone anchor. Our results show that on average early active mobilization leads to an earlier return to full hand function (6 vs. 8 wk) and an earlier return to work (7 vs. 11 wk). There is no difference in the final range of motion achieved. We suggest that Mitek bone anchor repairs for UCL ruptures are robust enough to allow early active mobilization and that a larger trial is warranted to assess whether early active mobilization is superior to standard rehabilitation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Collateral Ligaments / injuries*
  • Collateral Ligaments / surgery
  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Finger Injuries / rehabilitation*
  • Finger Injuries / surgery
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hand Strength
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orthopedic Procedures / methods
  • Pilot Projects
  • Postoperative Care / methods
  • Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Suture Anchors*
  • Thumb / injuries*
  • Thumb / surgery
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ulna
  • Young Adult