So, on your next ski trip, have fun but watch out for those ski poles. We have fellowship-trained hand surgeons ready to help. If you think you may have injured your thumb in this manner, call us at Louisiana Orthopaedic Specialists 33 to request an appointment. Therefore, it is very important to have suspected injuries evaluated as soon as possible. Often, in chronic injuries, a new ligament needs to be made to stabilize the thumb. Once beyond the early period of the injury, the ligament becomes much more difficult to repair properly. This same outcome occurs if a Skier’s Thumb is not addressed in a timely manner. The daily repetition would cause the ulnar collateral ligament to fail over time. This is chronic injury of the ulnar collateral ligament that is named after Scottish hunters who would kill their game by grasping the head of the animal between their thumb and index finger to break its neck. If this injury is ignored and the ligament doesn’t heal, a condition called Gamekeeper’s Thumb can develop.
#Tell if your thumb is broken full
Full recovery is expected at roughly three months. If a fracture also occurs, screws or pins may be necessary. Surgery consists of anchoring the ligament back down to the bone and is performed in an outpatient setting. In more severe injuries, surgery is necessary for the ligament to heal properly and restore thumb stability. Treatment would then consist of casting or splinting for four weeks. If the ligament is partially torn surgery is not necessary. Treatment depends on the pattern and severity of injury. X-rays and MRI are often necessary to evaluate the integrity of the ligament and stability of the joint. These injuries should be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon. They may also complain of instability or painful catching of their thumb in pockets of their pants. For a broken finger: If you have a broken finger, an orthopedic.
The finger should heal within one or two weeks. If the pain is too uncomfortable or disruptive, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Ibuprofen. People with this injury often complain of pain at the inside base of their thumb that is worse with grip and pinch. For a jammed finger: If you’ve jammed your finger, ice it for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, then immobilize it without the ice. The ligament can be partially torn or completely torn and can be associated with a small fracture of the bones of the thumb where the ligament is attached.
This can occur from any fall onto your hand and is often seen in athletes, especially soccer players. Skiing is a common culprit, but the ligament can be injured in a wide range of patterns with the common theme of your thumb being forcefully pulled away from your hand. The pole can pull their thumb to the side with so much force that it can tear the ligament on the inside of your knuckle. It commonly occurs when skiers fall, and their pole gets caught in the snow while still gripping the pole tight. Skier’s Thumb is an injury to an important ligament, called the ulnar collateral ligament, that helps stabilize the inside of your thumb. While it is a safe and exciting trip for most, unfortunately there are injuries that can occur on the slopes.
Heading to the mountains each winter is a trip many people in South Louisiana look forward to each year. Healing Thumb Issues Before they Become Chronic