What do we mean by Skier’s Thumb?

Skier’s Thumb is described as an injury caused to Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) of thumb joint. The twisting and tearing away of UCL results this condition. Any injury to UCL weakens thumb’s gripping strength and as well causes loss of function. In other words, it unstables or loosens the thumb joint.

As this injury recurrently happens during skiing accidents, therefore it is referred to as Skier’s Thumb. But it does not imply that this injury occurs to skiers’ only. It can affect anybody who falls on an outstretched hand with sufficient force applied to thumb that extends it away from the index finger.

What are the causes of Skier’s Thumb?

Following conditions can be cited as the common causes of Skier’s Thumb:

• A straight away or direct injury to your thumb
• Extending away of thumb from the palm of your hand
• Falling on your open hand with tucked in thumb
• Repetitive and gradual traumas to your thumb
• Slipping on the ski-slopes while holding or hands strapped to ski pole

What are the signs and symptoms of Skier’s Thumb?

• Pain, tenderness and swelling at the inner base of your thumb
• Bruising
• Difficulty in holding objects and moving your thumb
• Difficulty in applying force using your thumb
• Ability to pinch and grasp things with thumb and index finger gets impaired
• Difficulty in throwing objects
• Unstable Thumb
• A lump in your thumb
• Deformed thumb

What are the treatment options available for Skier’s Thumb?

The treatment for Skier’s Thumb depends upon the extent of injury, patient’s condition and his specific needs and requirements. Following treatment options are followed to treat Skier’s Thumb:

• To ease pain and swelling, ice pack may be placed on your thumb for 2 or 3 days after injury
• To immobilize or reduce the movement of thumb, support devices like; splint, brace or thumb cast may be used.

The splints or thumb casts are worn for 4 to 6 weeks and thereafter, a physical therapy regime is followed and adopted to mobilize the thumb again. It includes:

• Ultra sound therapy; where sound waves are used to treat injury to soft tissues.
• Massage Therapy is administered to repair the affected ligament.
• Mobilization exercises are performed to restore thumb functioning and movement.
• Physical Therapists make use of Hand Therapy balls and Therapeutic Putty to restore thumb strength and dexterity.
• Strengthening exercises are performed to strengthen the otherwise loosened thumb.

Contact Alliance Physical Therapy for efficient treatment of any of your musculoskeletal problems. Our patients’ well being and care are our top most priorities. Our brigade of exuberant, determined and acknowledged physical therapists strives to provide finest clinical treatments to our patients in friendly and caring environment.