Skier's Thumb, Yo

[Darkside]

So, up until this season, I thought this was just a joke, but hey, I'm living proof that it's real. And no joke either. I screwed my thumb in a tree-related accident in December, talked to a family friend who is an MD, he said it's probably torn something, takes a long time to heal. But...it starts feeling better in about a week, I've got no insurance, so I say f-it, it'll heal itself. Over the past few months I've managed to whack the shit out of it every week or so, and this puts me in some serious pain for a couple of days, not cool. So, I bust ass on a rail today and land on my bad thumb once again, and I almost see stars.

Anyone out there have any home remedies or suggestions?

[Ski Monkey]

Originally posted by Darkside
So, up until this season, I thought this was just a joke, but hey, I'm living proof that it's real. And no joke either.

Just how long have you been skiing for?

My remedy, wait for summer. Then again, i've thus far been lucky and only had mild s.t.

[Vinman]

Skier's thumb is most commonly a tear of ligament no the inside of the 1st joint. Very commonly it can also be associated with a fracture caused as the ligament pulls a piece of bone away where the ligament attaches. This unfortunately for you can take a very long time to heal or in some cases not heal at all, especially if you keep re-injuring it. This can be a very bad thing and can severly limit the strength and function of your hand. Long story short, throw down the $$$ and get it looked at by an orthopeadic surgeon. At the very least go get an x-ray to have them check for an avulsion fracture of the 1st MCP joint.

After you know if it is fractured or not go back to your family friend MD and have him help you out. It might need to be splinted for a few weeks for the ligament to heal properly or fi there is a fracture, occasionally these will need surgery to properly fix them. This is not something to be just blown off and home remedies/homeopathic cures will not fix a torn ligament.

[PaSucks]

Skiers thumb sucks, I have done both of mine. Luckily, with time they will heal IF you dont continue to reinjure it. Mine have been pain free for a while now, but I seem to have slightly less strenghth and range of motion in them. If you are still having problems, I say see a doctor.

[Darkside]

Originally posted by Ski Monkey
Just how long have you been skiing for?

My remedy, wait for summer. Then again, i've thus far been lucky and only had mild s.t.

Well, only 20 years, thanks for your concern though. I ride a bike almost 365 days a year, plus I work on bikes for a living, so I haven't been too successful in avoiding re-injuring it.

Vinman, thanks for your actual advice, I guess I should just pony up, as it's not getting any better.

[pollard]

just realized this is my first season in a long time w/o skiers thumb. my doc told me that I could get surgery or just deal with it. so I didn't get the surgery. it seriously fucted me playing football. it hasn't completly healed jet. I'd listen to vinman.

[13]

Did both thumbs this winter, one in early February, and one a few days ago.

I'm sucking it up and waiting until summer.

[CaddyDaddy77]

2nd the advice on Vinman, friend has a nice scar where they reattached his ligament. He delayed it and as a result made it worse, get it looked at.

[The Suit]

I have one of those scars. The injury was exactly as Vinman described it - a tear of the ulnar cruciate ligament, which pulled off a bit of bone as well. From what the doctor told me (and it looked pretty obvious from the x-ray) there's no way it would have healed itself.

Make sure they fit the cast to your ski pole.

[Vinman]

Originally posted by Darkside
Vinman, thanks for your actual advice, I guess I should just pony up, as it's not getting any better.

That will be $75 please. Cash or beer only no checks or credit cards.PM for addy

[irul&ublo]

Originally posted by Darkside
I've managed to whack the shit out of it every week or so, and this puts me in some serious pain for a couple of days...
Anyone out there have any home remedies or suggestions?

Quit downloading porn and switch hands every once in a while.