1. 7 Most Effective Exercises Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Exercise and Fitness Quiz!
3. How to Build a Better Butt Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Justin Strittmatter, MD

Coauthor:

Charles Preston, MD

Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

View Full Profile

Skiing accidents are the most common causes of damage to the ligament that cause the injury known as skier's thumb. Injuries of this ligament make up 8%-10% of all skiing accidents.

• More specifically, a fall on an outstretched hand with a ski pole in the palm of the hand creates the force necessary to stress the thumb and stretch or tear the ligament.
• A simple fall on an outstretched hand with an empty palm usually does not create this same force. However, the thumb can also be injured if it jams into packed snow at high velocity.
• Another less common cause of this injury is an automobile crash when the driver has the thumb alone draped over the steering wheel.
• Any injury in which the thumb is abnormally bent backward or to the side can cause skier's thumb.

Must Read Articles Related to Skier's Thumb

Finger Infection Finger infections can be caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses. Types of finger infections include paronychia, felon, herpetic whitlow, cellulitis, infect...learn more >>

Finger Injuries Finger injuries are very common and range from minor cuts and scrapes to wounds with serious damage to bone, tendons, and ligaments. If not treated properly, se...learn more >>

See the Entire Skier's Thumb Topic Guide »