MRI Gamekeeper’s Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tears : Normal Anatomy
Gamekeeper’s or Skier’s thumb is a tear of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament ( UCL) of the metacarpo phalyngeal joint. On MRI assessment there are three important things. 1. Normal anatomy of the region. 2 Tears of the UCL 3. Stener Lesions. This first post is on the normal anatomy of the region
Image Above: The UCL extends from the metacarpal head to the base of the proximal phalynx and lies deep to the Adductor aponeurosis.
Image above: The adductor appneurosis extends from the adductor pollicis tendon to fuse with the extensor hood overlying the dorsal aspect of the joint and the Extensor Pollicis tendon.
Image Above: Extensor aponeurosis ( blue arrows on coronal and axial at different levels). UCL ( yellow arrow) deep to the aponeurosis.
Image Above: Extensor aponeurosis ( blue arrows on coronal and axial). UCL ( yellow arrow) deep to the aponeurosis. Adductor pollicis insertion ( red arrow). If you use this as your landmark then look dorsal you should see the line of the aponeurosis ( blue arrow).Â
