Injections: When conservative care fails, steroid injections are oftentimes recommended. A complete rupture of a ligament with the two ends pulled apart like a rubber band that has snapped requires surgery.Ĭonservative care: Activity modification, splinting, physical therapy, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications Conservative care is always the first treatment of choice if possible. Treatment depends upon the severity of the injury. This is critical as it will determine the integrity of the ligaments and the stability of the joint. Unlike an MRI, an ultrasound examination allows for the evaluation of a given joint under stress and movement mimicking real-life conditions. At the Centeno Schultz Clinic, ultrasound imaging is part of every new patient evaluation. Unfortunately, this puts you at risk for viral infection. Most physicians refer patients to a hospital or imaging center for ultrasound studies. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed images of the bones, tendons, and ligaments. It is performed without any movement and therefore is a static test. It can determine whether a ligament is partially or completely torn. Useful to identify fractures, dislocations, prior trauma, bone spurs, and arthritis MRI ScanĪ dedicated study using strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio waves that provides a detailed image of your bones, tendons, and ligaments in your hand. Both hands should be examined Other tests may be recommended which include X-rays Your hand will be put through different movements to determine stability and range of motion. Physical examination is important in assessing ligament damage. If left untreated an injured hand ligament can lead to joint instability, additional injury, and the development of arthritis. Hand ligament pain is important and if it persists warrants evaluation. If pain persists and the joint feels unstable or loose you may have torn a ligament. Common symptoms include localized pain, swelling, bruising, and decreased range of motion that occurs with trauma. Symptoms vary depending upon the severity of the injury. How Do You Know if You Tore a Ligament in Your Hand? If left untreated it can lead to instability, pain, and arthritis. It occurs in 5-64% of radius fractures (6). Tears are commonly caused by falls or by sudden force on the wrist. The scapholunate ligament connects the scaphoid bone to the lunate and provides important stability for the hand and wrist. Ulnar collateral ligament injuries are common and seen in skiers, basketball, and football players (5) Scapholunate Ligament Injury of the UCL commonly occurs with falling on an outstretched hand or when a ball or racket strikes the inside of the thumb. Incidence has been documented as high as 50 per 100,000 (4). Located on the inside of the thumb joint, the UCL is critical to the stability of the thumb and is one of the most common injuries to the hand (3). Two important hand ligaments that will be discussed in this blog are the ulnar collateral ligaments (UCL) of the thumb and the scapholunate ligament. There are numerous ligaments in the hand that provide mobility and stability to the hand. Grade 2: Intermediate sprain with partial thickness tear of the ligament Grade 1: Is a partial sprain without instability. Ligament injuries are graded from one to three based upon their severity. Approximately 25% of all sports-related injuries involve the hand or wrist (1). Ligaments are susceptible to injury which is called a sprain. Ligaments are thick bands of connective tissue that connect one bone to another. The hand is composed of 27 bones which are kept together by ligaments. Our hands are critical to everything we do. What are hand ligaments? How do you know if you tore a ligament in your hand? How do you check for ligament damage? How do you treat ligament Pain? What new treatment options exist for hand ligament pain.
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