6 Symptoms of ‘Skier’s Thumb’
What is Skier’s Thumb?
It’s the time of year for winter sports and snow-packed adventures. “Skier’s Thumb” is one of the most common hand injuries associated with winter sports. To ensure success as you hit the slopes, read this blog post to learn all about the anatomy, symptoms, causes, and treatment options for Skier’s Thumb. If you sustain a thumb injury this winter and are in the Greater Vancouver area, consult with us at Elios Health so that you can return to your winter activities safely. With the proper treatment and rehabilitation, we can help get you back to the mountains pain-free as soon as possible.
Anatomy of the Thumb:
Skier’s thumb refers to an acute injury of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the thumb. The UCL is a primary stabilizer of the metacarpal phalangeal (MP) joint of the thumb. The MP is the second joint of the thumb, located where the thumb meets the palm. The UCL provides stability against forces that push or pull the thumb away from the index finger, these forces are known as valgus, or radially directed forces.
Causes of Skier’s Thumb:
Skier’s thumb occurs when a skier falls in such a way that their ski pole is forcibly removed from their hand, causing an acute injury to the UCL of the thumb MP joint. The injury can also occur by various other mechanisms such as catching a ball with an outstretched thumb or falling onto one’s hand when the thumb is open or abducted. The injury to the UCL can range from stretching or partial tearing of some of the ligament fibers to a complete rupture of the entire ligament. In severe cases, the injury may be complicated by an avulsion fracture where a small piece of bone is pulled off by the ligament, or a Stener lesion which involves displacement of the UCL in addition to complete rupture.
Skier’s Thumb is very similar to the injury known as Gamekeeper’s Thumb which is an injury to the UCL caused by repetitive stress to the ligament. Gamekeeper’s Thumb is common in activities requiring a tight grip such as hockey, tennis, golf, or rock climbing. While the resulting damage to the UCL is the same, the mechanism of injury (acute vs overuse) which determines the diagnosis.
Signs and Symptoms of Skier’s Thumb:
- Pain on the inner side of the second thumb joint
- Bruising
- swelling
- Inability to move the thumb
- Misaligned thumb
- Weakened grip
Treatment of Skier’s Thumb:
As with most injuries, proper diagnosis and early intervention are crucial to a successful recovery. A physiotherapist can diagnose your thumb injury and make you aware of the severity of the damage. Initial treatment of Skier’s Thumb begins with elevating and icing the hand to reduce swelling and minimize pain. A splint to immobilize the joint so that proper healing can occur may be required in some cases. When required, these splints are generally worn for 4-6 weeks. Hand therapy during the early stages of injury will focus on controlled range of motion and strengthening exercises. As your injury begins to heal, your physiotherapist will progress your hand therapy program to ensure you regain adequate strength and mobility in your thumb. Careful and gradual return to activity is crucial to avoid a re-exacerbation of Skier’s Thumb. Your physiotherapist will educate you on when and how to return to the winter activities you enjoy safely and injury-free. With a proper rehabilitation program, the vast majority of UCL injuries make a quick and complete recovery. Come visit the Vancouver physiotherapists at Elios Health and get back to enjoying your winter activities!
Original Post by Rachel Rubin-Sarganis
Photo by Urban Sandén