Isolated injuries to the dorsoradial capsule of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint.

Isolated injuries to the dorsoradial capsule of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint are rarely reported. We report 11 patients who had a tear in the dorsoradial capsule of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint without an associated collateral ligament injury. Seven of the injuries were confirmed at surgical exploration and repaired by imbrication/direct repair. Six of these seven patients were able to return to unrestricted activities without requiring analgesics. The surgical patients had increased baseline metacarpophalangeal joint flexion compared to "average," which may predispose them to isolated capsular injuries.