Abstract
Pain of the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint is a common complaint, and most cases respond to conservative treatment. We have experienced three cases of MP joint injury that did not respond to conservative therapy and required surgery. The patients felt swelling and tenderness of the MP joint, and the range of joint motion was limited due to pain. All of the injuries had been caused by minor indirect trauma. The condition was difficult to diagnose from radiographs and MRI, but dye leakage was evident on arthrography of the MP joint in all cases. We diagnosed capsular rupture of the MP joint and performed debridment of the scar tissue with repair of the joint capsule. After surgery, all the patients were free of pain. Arthrography is effective for diagnosis of capsular rupture of the MP joint, and the present cases show that good results can be obtained with surgical therapy.
