Multimodality Approach to a Stener Lesion: Radiographic, Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Surgical Correlation

The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint is a static stabilizer that may rupture from a hyperabduction injury. Although some UCL tears may heal with immobilization, outcomes are worse for Stener lesions, in which the proximal ligament stump slips out from beneath the adductor pollicis aponeurosis and is entrapped proximal and superficial to the aponeurosis, preventing primary healing. We report the case of a patient with a Stener lesion with radiographic, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging correlation, subsequently confirmed with intraoperative photographs. Physicians must be familiar with the regional anatomy to understand the injury pathogenesis and the need for surgical intervention to optimize patient outcomes.