Échographie de l’entorse du ligament collatéral ulnaire (LCU) de l’articulation métacarpo-phalangienne (MCP) du pouce : une nouvelle manœuvre dynamique pour visualiser l’effet Stener

Sprain of the first MCP joint is frequent. In patients with UCL tear, the adductor aponeurosis may become interposed between the distal site of ligament attachment and the ruptured ligament: this lesion, described by Stener, prevents ligamentous healing and requires surgical intervention. We present the results from a prospective study of 56 patients with first MCP sprain in order to determine the value of US by correlating with surgical findings. We propose a new dynamic maneuver during flexion-extension of the IP joint. This enables visualization of the adductor aponeurosis and its relationship to the UCL on US allowing detection of a Stener lesion when it exists. All patients with Stener lesion on US underwent surgery (32 operated patients): the sensitivity of US was 95.4% with a specificity of 80% for detection of Stener lesions. US, with the use of this specific dynamic maneuver is a reliable and reproducible tool for detecting Stener lesions. Review of video recordings allows visual comprehension of the examination for other health care providers.