Injuries to the hand are common in athletes because the hands frequently absorb impact during sports activity. Sports-related injuries may involve the supporting ligaments, tendons or bones.
Skiers are susceptible to an injury known as skier’s thumb, a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in the large joint of the thumb. This can happen when the skier falls and the ski pole handle forces the thumb to bend away from the fingers. The same injury can occur in other sports players whose hands are often used to break a fall.
Many common ligament injuries are treated non-surgically, A few will require surgery to restore stable ligament function.
If the thumb ligament is completely torn, surgery may be necessary. Sometimes, as the ligament tears, it pulls a bone fragment away from the base of the bone. The fragment may need to be removed or replaced to its correct position. Patients commonly need to wear a short-arm cast or a splint to protect the thumb ligament for a period of time following surgery.
ONS is committed to providing excellent orthopaedic and neurosurgical care through integrative knowledge, cooperation among personnel and compassion for our patients. By setting the highest of standards, we can confidently offer patients the best options for the best possible outcomes.