Stener-Like Lesions in the Hand: A Qualitative Review

A Stener-like lesion is defined as the interposition of the sagittal band between the torn collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of a finger and its origin or insertion. Owing to the rarity of this injury, standardized protocols on the diagnosis and care of these injuries are not currently available. PubMed Central and Google Scholar were searched for published studies from 1962 to 2022. Inclusion criteria admitted any injury of the MCP joints of any nonthumb fingers involving a torn collateral ligament with sagittal band injury that trapped the collateral ligament. Eight studies were ultimately included in our analysis and contained 11 cases of Stener-like lesions. Eight of the 11 cases presented radial collateral ligament injury to the ring and little fingers. All 11 cases presented showed that detailed physical examination was a primary step in diagnosis of these lesions. Metacarpophalangeal joint laxity was present in all cases reported. Imaging-aided diagnosis was used in majority of the cases presented and included arthrography, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging. All cases presented in this review were managed surgically. Following surgical repair, a majority of authors opted to use immobilization techniques immediately postoperatively. As awareness of this injury pattern increases, a standardized treatment algorithm may develop.