The most common type of tear in the UT, or ulnotriquetral, ligament is a lengthwise tearing of the ligament, which leaves the ends of the ligament intact and holding the bones in the wrist together, but causes severe lack of strength and stability in the joint. Certain physical therapy techniques and exercises may help restore wrist joint function and reduce pain.
Description
The ulnotriquetral ligament, also known as the UT and the ulnar collateral ligament, or UCL, is one of the ligaments that hold the wrist joint together. Ruptures or tears in this ligament may cause limited movement, mobility, range of motion and strength in the wrist joint. The short ligament is located on the outside of the hand where the pisiform, or the small metacarpal bone of the little finger, connects to the distal end of the ulna or forearm bone.
Non-Surgical Therapy
Your doctor may suggest non-surgical therapy before suggesting surgery. During initial healing stages, you'll be fitted with a cast or brace to immobilize the wrist for up to six weeks, depending on the severity of the tear and your level of discomfort.
Post-Surgical Therapy
Therapy usually begins following ulnotriquetral ligament suturing repair six weeks post-surgery. You'll likely start your rehab with range-of-motion exercises, such as opening and closing your fist, then making very small clockwise and counter-clockwise rotations with your wrist joint. Supination and pronation exercises help elongate and strengthen the ligament. A basic supination exercise is done by rotating your hand palm-side up to the ceiling, and pronation is performed by twisting the hand so the palm faces down toward the floor. Perform these exercises as directed by your therapist.
Flexion
Wrist flexion exercises using a resistance band offer strengthening benefits to the wrist muscles, tendons and ligaments without the use of hand weights. Grasp one end of a resistance band in your injured hand. Place the other end under your foot or tie it to a sturdy object. Begin the exercise with your forearm perpendicular to the floor, palm facing upward. Tension in the band should cause your wrist to dip slightly downward. Brace your forearm with your opposite hand, and keeping the arm still, lift the wrist, curling your fist upward and inward toward your chest. Repeat this up and down movement with the band several times, or as directed by your therapist.
Radial Deviations
Radial deviations strengthen the sides of the wrist and focus on the ulnotriquetral ligament ligament on the outside of the wrist. Hold one end of a resistance band in your injured hand and stand on the other end. Begin the exercise with your forearm perpendicular to the floor. Make a loose fist, with the back of your hand facing away from your body and the thumb curled around the fist. Tension in the band should cause your wrist to dip slightly downward. Lift upward so that the top of your fist moves toward your chest. Hold the tension for a moment and then release. Release and repeat as instructed by your therapist.
