Reconstruction of the collateral ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal
joint of the thumb was performed for fourteen ruptures of the ulnar and two
ruptures of the radial collateral ligament, one to eighteen months after
injury. The extensor pollicis brevis tendon was used to reinforce the
resutured ligament. Symptoms were relieved in all cases after follow-ups
ranging from one to seven years, even in two thumbs with mild degenerative
arthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joint.