Isolated Carpo-Metacarpal Dislocation of the Thumb

Isolated dislocations of the trapezio metacarpal joint without associated fracture has been reported very rarely in the literature. There are reports of associated injuries like fracture of the trapezium, dislocation of the metacarpophalangeal joint and fractures of the base of the thumb metacarpal.

Authors report a case of isolated carpometacarpal dislocation of the right thumb, in an adult, successfully managed conservatively. At 15 months follow up the patient had full function of the hand without any clinical or radiological evidence of instability or posttraumatic arthritis.

Isolated dislocations can be successfully managed by closed reduction and immobilization in a back slab, with unstable dislocations requiring surgical intervention.