Highlights
- •We study professional basketball players with thumb ulnar collateral injury.
- •Patients are treated with internal brace augmentation.
- •Patients undergo a novel accelerated rehabilitation protocol post-operatively.
- •Our patients successfully return to sport within 5-6 weeks.
Abstract
Study Design
Case series.
Introduction
Rehabilitation protocols following thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) ulnar collateral
ligament (UCL) repair typically do not allow for return to sport until 12 weeks post-surgery.
The potential for accelerated rehabilitation following thumb MCP UCL repair with suture
tape augmentation has yet to be explored.
Purpose of the Study
To describe the accelerated rehabilitation following thumb MCP UCL repair with the
suture tape augmentation in professional basketball players.
Methods
Three professional basketball players underwent thumb MCP UCL repair with suture tape
augmentation. The athletes followed an accelerated rehabilitation program post-surgery
that began with range-of-motion exercises at 2-3 days, proximal strengthening at 7-10
days, grip/pinch strengthening at 1-2 weeks, followed by progressive sport specific
intervention with a custom orthosis.
Results
At 5-6 weeks post-surgery, active thumb MCP range of motion returned to 83%-100%,
grip strength to 81%-100%, and tripod pinch strength to 73%-78% of the contralateral
side. All athletes successfully returned to sport within 5-6 weeks post-surgery.
Discussion/Conclusion
This is the first clinical application of an accelerated rehabilitation protocol in
athletes following thumb MCP UCL repair. In this series, professional basketball players
were able to return to sport in half the routine recovery time. Further prospective
studies re-thinking current rehabilitation protocols are warranted.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 06, 2022
Accepted:
July 3,
2022
Received in revised form:
May 2,
2022
Received:
October 29,
2021
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
