What is a Stener lesion?
A Stener lesion occurs when the thumb is forcefully abducted and the distal attachment of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint is traumatically avulsed from its insertion into the base of the proximal phalanx of the thumb.
Does Stener lesion need surgery?
Treatment / Management Type 2: UCL tears that are displaced less than 3 mm can be healed with immobilization alone. Type 3: UCL tears that are displaced more than 3 mm will usually fail immobilization and most patients with require surgery. Type 4: Stener lesion will require surgery in all cases.
How is a Stener lesion diagnosed?
Injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the thumb requires imaging for diagnosis of surgically important entities such as the Stener lesion. Historically, routine radiography including stress views does not allow such diagnosis and is potentially detrimental to patient care.
Does a torn thumb ligament require surgery?
The ligament is completely torn or is pulled off its attachment to the bone. These are significant injuries that require medical or surgical care. If the ligament tears away from the bone, it may take a small chip of the bone with it. This is called an avulsion fracture.
How common is a Stener lesion?
A Stener lesion is an uncommon variant where the torn UCL is displaced superficial to the adductor pollicis aponeurosis. This leads to UCL entrapment and reduced likelihood of healing with conservative management.
How long does a ulnar collateral ligament take to heal?
If your UCL tear can be treated without surgery, the recovery may last anywhere from several weeks to several months.
How long is recovery for thumb ligament surgery?
Grip and hand strength may come back as early as 3 – 4 months after surgery, but it can take up to 6 – 12 months to fully recover and obtain maximum improvement. In most cases, you will be transitioned to a cast at your follow up appointment and then a removable brace at approximately 6 weeks post-surgery.
What is a a Stener lesion?
A Stener lesion occurs when a complete distal, thumb ulnar collateral ligament tear results in the interposition of the aponeurosis of the adductor pollicis muscle between the metacarpophalangeal joint and torn ligament.
What is the prevalence of Stener lesions in UCL tears?
Stener lesions occur in 64-88% of complete UCL tears; the distal portion of the UCL avulses from its attachment on the proximal phalanx and herniates through the adductor aponeurosis
What happens if a Stener lesion is left untreated?
Undiagnosed and untreated Stener lesions can lead to chronic thumb pain, instability, and osteoarthritis.[5] While surgical intervention is needed to repair a Stener lesion, there have been reports of radial nerve sensory neurapraxia, recurrent instability and stiffness of the IP and MCP joints after surgical correction. [8]
What is a Stener lesion of ulnar collateral ligament?
Stener lesion 1 Pathology. Normally, the ulnar collateral ligament lies deep to the adductor pollicis tendon. A Stener lesion is… 2 Radiographic features. 3 History and etymology. It was first described by the Swedish orthopedic surgeon Bertil Stener in 1962 3,4,10. More