Complex dorsal dislocation of the metacarpophalangeal joint is an uncommon injury, typically caused by entrapment of the volar plate within the joint space. Closed reduction of the dislocation is not effective; instead, open reduction is necessary to release the soft tissues interposed between the metacarpal head and the proximal phalanx. However, an operative risk of digital nerve injury exists because of intricate displacement of the normal anatomy. We successfully reduced a dislocation by arthroscopic release of the entrapped volar plate.
Complex dorsal dislocation of the metacarpophalangeal joint is an uncommon injury, typically caused by entrapment of the volar plate within the joint space. Closed reduction of the dislocation is not effective; instead, open reduction is necessary to release the soft tissues interposed between the metacarpal head and the proximal phalanx. However, an operative risk of digital nerve injury exists because of intricate displacement of the normal anatomy. We successfully reduced a dislocation by arthroscopic release of the entrapped volar plate.