Torn UCL

[Tin]

Looks to be a common ski injury of the thumb but my doc referred me to a hand surgeon because it looks to be a complete tear. Anyone ever have the surgery? I've seen anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks in a cast.

 

[skiNEwhere]

Damn, sorry to hear that man. I have not, but I hope you heal quickly

 

[xwhaler]

No experience with a torn UCL but back in 09 I broke my thumb at Black Mtn NH (2 way fracture) essentially shattering all bones between the tip of my thumb and my knuckle. Very painful but once the swelling went down and I got casted I just bought a big mitten and got right back out there.
Figured I could grip the pole and cast was protecting further re injury so no reason to hold back.

Good Luck

 

[Tin]

Thanks
Its not too bad just irritating. Its fractured as well. Savemeasammy and I were cruising down Bubblecuffer at the summit and I launched when I was too far in the backseat of my twin tips and put my hand down when I landed. Trying to last the rest of the season and ski Tucks. Getting a glove on and opening a beer is a bitch.

 

[Cornhead]

opening a beer is a bitch.

Now there's the real issue.

 

[Nick]

That sucks! So even with the jammed thumb your skiing is still OK?

 

[MadMadWorld]

That's the problem skiing with Savemeasammy his ability to wipe out rubs off on you.

 

[Tin]

That's the problem skiing with Savemeasammy his ability to wipe out rubs off on you.

LOL, We actually fell at the same time and he asked if I did it out of sympathy. As long as it isn't a ligament that begins with "A" I'm not too worked up about it.

Nick, I have 4 other fingers on that hand and will be breaking in the new skis this weekend. Would really like to hold off on the knife until late April.
Ski Season > Fishing Season

 

[SIKSKIER]

Gamekeepers thumb but more commanly known as skiers thumb.Its said to be the most common ski injury.I tore both mine though not completely but never had them fixed.They are fine now but I do have one big knuckle on the right thumb.

 

[MadMadWorld]

LOL, We actually fell at the same time and he asked if I did it out of sympathy. As long as it isn't a ligament that begins with "A" I'm not too worked up about it.

Nick, I have 4 other fingers on that hand and will be breaking in the new skis this weekend. Would really like to hold off on the knife until late April.
Ski Season > Fishing Season

Well take it easy man and pace yourself! Where you headed?

 

[SIKSKIER]

During management of acute UCL injuries during competition (or for avid recreational skiers who are reluctant to forego their time on the slopes), a decision must be made as to whether the patient should continue to ski. No firmly established criteria exist for making this clinical decision, although the severity of the symptoms and the degree of joint laxity may be important considerations.
If there is a clinical decision to allow the patient to continue skiing after a recent injury to the UCL at the thumb, then protective splinting should be considered. Options include moldable fiberglass splints (which can be adapted to the ski pole) or athletic taping, either in wrist/thumb spica style, or the athletic trainer's figure-8 approach.
Before these interventions, the patient should have a clear understanding that there is a potential for worsening of their condition from further injury. Always include proper documentation of the patient's severity of symptoms and degree of joint laxity, as well as documentation of discussions with the patient regarding recommendations, interventions, prognosis, and activity.

 

[Twism86]

Hmm I have never heard of this injury but 2 years ago I fell while jogging (clumbsy), handing on my thumb and bending it back. Hurt to move or grip for a few days. I almost fell the other week at Hunter, slid sideways and pushed myself back up with my hand but tweaked my thumb. Hurt to bend backwards or grip something large like a soda bottle. Holding poles the rest of the day was ok but still sore. Its back to normal now.

Ever since the initial injury its very easy to hurt it again. Is this something along the lines of a UCL injury or worth getting checked out?

Tom

 

[Tin]

Well take it easy man and pace yourself! Where you headed?

Crotched for the gf's nephew's birthday present Saturday, Stowe Monday, then was looking at that 6-10th trip to Magic, MRG, and the Bush. Planned on a busy March.

SIK: I was hoping it was only Gamekeepers as I've had it before but as soon as I landed I knew it was bad. I was taping it and it just got progressively worse. I have it in a soft brace now and will see what the surgeon recommends for it tomorrow. Since it is a complete rupture (and fracture) I don't think I can do much more damage to it but will ask... and will continue until they decide to open it up. I doubt they will go in while it is still fractured. Pedroia played all last season with the same injury and there is a lot more use of the thumb in baseball than skiing.

Where is Deadhead? I have some xrays for him to check out. lol

 

[jack97]

that sucks.... hopefully you can use a soft cast until the season ends. The way I look at it, the off season is the time for healing.

 

[Wyatte74]

Pedroia played all last season with the same injury and there is a lot more use of the thumb in baseball than skiing.

I was thinking the same thing...also Victorino played the postseason with a thumb injury.
should be no problem (I mountain biked with a broken thumb for awhile and although awkward and a bit painful even that was quite doable)

 

[Savemeasammy]

That's the problem skiing with Savemeasammy his ability to wipe out rubs off on you.

I like my crashes to count. If I'm not sidelined for 2 or 3 weeks, it's not worth doing!


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[Puck it]

It is just a thumb. What are you a baseball player with turf toe? I played hockey and skied for 12 years with no ACL.

 

[BeefyBoy50]

that sucks, hope you get better quickly soon man! i've jammed my thumb on jumps before doing the same thing you described. my dad has also gotten gatekeeper's thumb (not sure what that is) before and he was pretty frustrated by it.

 

[Not Sure]

Sorry to hear the bad news. I had one in the mid 90's . Hunter West ,planted a pole and it stayed planted....right into my stomach and over the top I went ....loud snap , thought it was my finger breaking.
My grips at the time had a cap on top that trapped my thumb. could'nt hold a pole the rest of the day.
ER trip next evening,Me..."Is it broken?" Doc ...."No worse ,So when do you want to schedule your surgey?"
You'll wake up with stitches in the middle or a button wired through your thumb bone. When they go they either break in the middle or take a pice of bone with them (detach from bone).
Mine was broken in the middle. 6 weeks later I was good.
The thing is you have a ten day window to have the repair done or it becomes a real problem to fix.
Get it over with and you'll be fine.
If you do it now you can still do Tucks this year.

 

[Tin]

It is just a thumb. What are you a baseball player with turf toe? I played hockey and skied for 12 years with no ACL.

Did you walk to school uphill both ways too ole man?