Ulnar sesamoid's fracture of the thumb: an unusual injury and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND It concerns an unusual injury which is the result of a violent hyperextension or abduction of the pollex and even less frequently by direct injury. AIM To increase our sensitivity and observation regarding thumb's injuries, because it is possible a fracture of the sesamoid not to be diagnosed. MATERIAL AND METHOD We present a case of an adult man, 35 years old, who suffered a violent hyperextension of the right pollex. The contribution of digital X-ray examination, which demonstrated a fracture of the ulnar sesamoid of the pollex was very important. The fracture was treated with fixation with elastic bandages for two weeks. RESULTS Follow up of the patient six weeks and six months after the injury, demonstrated a total recovery of the function of the pollex and callousness of the fracture, respectively. CONCLUSION Fracture of sesamoid bones of the thumb is a rare injury, not usually diagnosed, but it has good prognosis when treated properly.