Factors Effecting The Outcome in Trapezio-Metacarpal Joint Dislocations

Abstract

Purpose: Acute traumatic dislocation of the trapezio-metacarpal joint of the thumb is a rare condition. Although this injury is frequently caused by in direct mechanism, it may also occur due to direct trauma; in such cases this dislocation may be accompanied by multiple hand injuries.
Patients and methods: We evaluated four patients that admitted to our clinic between 1993-1997 with traumatic trapezio-metacarpal joint dislocation.
Results: In all cases the dislocation was caused by direct trauma. Clinic and radiological examination revealed that trapezio-metacarpal dislocation was dorsal in three patients and ulnar in one patient.. The patient with ulnar dislocation had no coexisting pathologies whereas three patients with dorsal dislocation had various additional injuries. Two of the three patients that were followed up for 33 months and could be evaluated in comparison to unaffected side were graded as bad and one as good.
Conclusion: The outcome of acute traumatic dislocation of trapezio-metacarpal joint is usually related to accompanying injuries and treatment plan should be done accordingly.