Skier's Thumb
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- Skier's Thumb Overview
- Skier's Thumb Causes
- Skier's Thumb Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
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Skier's Thumb Overview
Skier's thumb describes an injury of the soft tissue that connects the bones of your thumb together. In medical terms, this soft tissue is called a ligament.
This injury was originally noted in 1955 as a chronic ligament problem seen in Scottish gamekeepers who damaged their thumbs by repeatedly twisting the necks of hares. The injury was termed the gamekeeper's thumb at that time. The popularity of recreational downhill skiing has caused this injury to become much more common in the United States and has caused the term gamekeeper's thumb to be replaced with the more contemporary term, skier's thumb.
Skier’s thumb now accounts for a significant number of skiing injuries. In severe cases, with complete tearing of the ligament, this injury must be surgically repaired. The ultimate stability of the ligament is important because of its contribution to the grasping function of the thumb.
People with skier’s thumb may be able to return to work and even skiing in a short period with proper rehabilitation.
Next: Skier's Thumb Causes »
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Skier's Thumb
Finger Injuries Overview
Finger injuries are common and range from minor cuts and scrapes to wounds with major damage to bone, tendons, and ligaments. If not treated properly, serious finger injuries can lead to permanent deformity and loss of function. Careful treatment will allow for a faster and more complete recovery. A number of different types of finger injuries are common:
- A laceration (cut) may only go through skin, or it may cut through blood vessels, nerves, and tendons that lie just under the skin.
- An avulsion occurs when part of the skin or soft tissue is torn off.
- With an amputation, tissue is completely cut or torn away from the finger.
- Fingernail injuries
- The fingernail and the underlying nail bed are the most commonly injured part of the hand.
- If a fingernail is injured by a direct...
- The fingernail and the underlying nail bed are the most commonly injured part of the hand.
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Skier's Thumb »
Injuries to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the thumb were first recognized as an occupational condition in European gamekeepers.
