Skier's Thumb (Gamekeeper's thumb)
Skier’s Thumb is caused by a traumatic force on the thumb that forces it out (thumb abduction and/or extension are the anatomical directions) damaging the ulnar collateral ligament at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint . It often occurs with skiing and football.
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Signs and symptoms include pain in the knuckle of the thumb, swelling, and an unstable joint. X-rays often show a small fragment of the metacarpal that has been pulled off by the ligament (called an avulsion fracture).
Treatment usually consists of bracing or splinting of partial tears and in some cases, surgical repair if the tear is complete.
Possible Treatment Goals
- Decrease Risk of Reoccurrence
- Improve Function
- Optimize Joint Alignment
- Improve Muscle Strength and Power
- Improve Proprioception
- Self-care of Symptoms
- Improve Safety
- Improve Tolerance for Prolonged Activities
Additional Resources
More Wrist and Hand articles
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel.
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Guyon’s Canal Syndrome (Handlebar Palsy)
Like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, this condition is often seen in cyclists when the ulnar nerve is compressed in its canal over the wrist.
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De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
This is a common condition in which the tendons that extend or straighten the thumb and their surrounding sheaths (extensor pollicus brevis and abductor…
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