A boxer may damage the sagittal bands of a finger's extensor hood, which is followed by a subluxation of the extensor tendon.
Synonym: boxer knuckle
The sagittal band is an aponeurotic sheet that overlies the capsule of the metacarpal-phalangeal joint.
The middle finger is the one most commonly involved.
Clinical features:
(1) pain in the finger
(2) swelling
(3) loss of full joint extension
(4) subluxation of the extensor tendon with displacement to either the radial or ulnar side
The tendon is intact but there is adjacent edema in soft tissue.
Ultrasonography or MRI (T2-weighted) on the clenched fist can demonstrate the tendon displacement and tissue swelling.
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Specialty: Surgery, orthopedic
