Recurrent Bilateral Basilar Joint Subluxation in a Teenage Boy

Carpometacarpal (CMC) joint instability may be caused by either joint trauma or systemic ligamentous laxity in a setting of connective tissue disorders. Bilateral CMC joint dislocation is extremely rare and has only been described in 2 cases, both resulting from high-energy mechanisms in adults. Here, we present a case of recurrent, bilateral CMC joint subluxation and dislocation resulting from low-energy mechanisms in a pediatric patient with no diagnosable connective tissue disorder. Over a course of 4 years, the patient underwent 10 procedures, including bilateral closed reduction and immobilization, bilateral closed reduction and percutaneous pinning, bilateral tightrope placement, and eventual bilateral tightrope revision with anterior oblique ligament reconstruction. To date, the optimal treatment options for bilateral, low-energy CMC dislocations have not been well described, and these depend on the time from injury to closed reduction as well as postreduction joint stability. Tightrope placement and ligamentous reconstruction may be required in a setting of long-term instability.