Consultant – Gavin Brigstocke

What is a Skier’s Thumb Injury?
This is an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the metacarpo-phalangeal joint of the thumb. The ligament acts to stabilise the thumb during pinching and provide a rigid pillar to push against. An acute injury (skier’s thumb) to the UCL may occur due to a fall on a hyper-extended thumb. A chronic injury (gamekeeper’s thumb) may occur during repetitive stretching of the ligament over time.

What treatments are available?
The treatment of acute UCL injuries consists of either splintage or surgical repair. The decision of the best treatment option for your injury is made upon whether the ligament is partially or completely torn. A partially torn ligament is protected in a cast or splint for a period of six weeks prior to mobilisation. A complete ligament injury requires an operation to repair the ligament followed by a period of splintage and subsequent mobilisation.

What are the outcomes?
The outcome of a correctly treated injury with no significant time delay should result in a return to normal function. Should the ligament fail to heal and the thumb become unstable further surgery to reconstruct the ligament or fuse the joint might be indicated.

Further information:
https://www.bssh.ac.uk/patients/conditions/32/skiers_thumb