What Is Skier’s Thumb
If you are a skier, snowboarder or ice skater, winter may be your favorite time of year. For skiers, shushing down the mountain in a rhythmic motion, spraying up a little fresh snow, enjoying the beautiful scenery is paradise. That is- until you hit an edge and wipe out. The most common injury when skiing is falling and hurting your thumb, known as “Skier’s thumb“. (aka Gamekeeper’s Thumb) Skier’s thumb accounts for 8 to 10 percent of all skiing accidents. Read on to learn more about how a skier’s thumb injury happens and the symptoms and treatment.
A “Skier’s Thumb” injury happens when you fall onto your outstretched thumb. Blunt force on your thumb can stretch or tear the ligament along the outside of your thumb. Your thumb can become very sore and unstable, causing pain and making it difficult to pinch, grasp, or grip objects. (Snowboarders can also be affected; but, this happens less commonly.)
Symptoms of Skier’s Thumb
- It hurts when you try to pinch an object between your thumb and forefinger
- You feel as if you don’t have enough strength to pinch an object
- Your thumb may appear crooked, as if it is leaning away from your hand
If you have these symptoms after a fall, it’s important to seek medical attention to determine if your thumb ligament is strained or ruptured.
Treatment of Skier’s Thumb
Treatment usually begins with icing, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce pain and inflammation, and elevation of the hand to minimize swelling. Thumb Braces that stabilize and protect your thumb can be worn to give the ligament time to heal. Wearing a durable, comfortable brace—like the Fix Comfort Thumb Brace or the ThumSaver —reduces stress on your thumb, gives the ligament time to heal, and helps prevent further injury.
Therapy, perhaps with a hand therapy specialist, may also be prescribed. In most cases, splinting and therapy allows the ligament time to heal, hopefully in time for next ski season.
Persistent problems may require surgery to reduce the risk of chronic instability. In these cases, or if the ligament has completely ruptured (totally torn away from the bone), more restrictive thumb braces can be used to protect the thumb from further injury until surgery can be performed.
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Our blogs are educational in nature and are not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Because your condition is unique to you, it is recommended that you consult with your health care provider before attempting any medical or therapeutic treatments. We are always happy to answer questions about products mentioned in our blogs, however, we cannot provide a diagnosis or medical advice.
Great Post, and spot on with everything you say from someone who has suffered skier’s thumb it really did hurt.
All the best,
Frank