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Sprained
Thumb Injury
Introduction
A
Sprained Thumb
is a common
cause of swelling
on the thumb
which is accompanied
by thumb pain.
The Ulnar Collateral
Ligament which
is located at
the base of
thumb is often
injuries, Rugby
players can
suffer from
this condition
as they land
from tackles
and extend their
hand out.
Sprained
Thumb Signs
& Symptoms
- Pain when
the thumb
is bent backwards.
- Pain in
the web of
the thumb
when it is
moved.
- Swelling
over the joint
at the bottom
of the thumb
over the Ulnar
Collateral
Ligament.
- May develop
bruising after
48 hours.
- Laxity and
instability
in the Meta-Carpo-Phalangeal
or MCP joint
which is the
joint between
the metacarpal
and thumb
bone
- If there
is a lot of
laxity and
instability
in the joint
a total rupture
may be suspected
in which case
the injury
requires surgery.
- The player
may find it
hard to pinch
grip small
objects.
Sprained
Thumb Treatment
Immediate
treatment:
Rest:
Most athletes
are able to
return to sport
within 4 to
6 weeks depending
on severity
of injury -
sometimes sooner.
Ice:
Reusable ice
packs will reduce
swelling and
pain.
Medication:
Non Steroidal
Anti Inflammatory
Drugs (NSAID)
such as ibuprofen
tablets and
gel will help
to reduce inflammation
and pain.
Thumb
Brace:
This will prevent
excessive moment
and allow for
healing.
If
you have a partial
tear of Ulnar
Collateral Ligament,
your doctor
will probably
immobilize your
thumb joint
with a splint
or other bandage
until it heals.
You wear the
splint for about
three weeks,
then start taking
it off to do
flexion and
extension exercises
with your thumb.
Put the splint
back on for
protection when
playing rugby.
Keep doing this
for another
two or three
weeks until
the swelling
and tenderness
are gone. You
may also put
ice on your
thumb twice
a day for two
to three days
after the injury.
If the Ulnar
Collateral Ligament
is completely
torn, you may
need surgery.
Fragments of
bone that sometimes
get pulled away
when your ligament
tears may be
removed or put
back in their
correct positions.
After surgery,
you’ll
probably need
to wear a short-arm
cast or a splint
to protect your
thumb ligament
for six to eight
weeks while
it heals.
Ultrasound
scan also be
used along with
massage and
mobilization
can aid ligament
repair and help
restore function.
The use hand
therapy balls
and therapeutic
putt will help
to strengthen
Thumb ligaments
and improve
dexterity. Grip
and thumb strengthening
devices can
also be useful
to restore normal
hand and thumb
strength.
What
you can do
- Consult
a expert
- Use anti-inflammatory
gel and tablets
for pain relief
- Use of a
reusable ice
pack to reduce
swelling and
pain
- Use a removable
thumb support
for protection
- Use therapeutic
putty and
hand therapy
balls to improve
dexterity
and strength.
Rugby
Rescue Recommends
Thumb Supports
5 Star Rating
Designed
to hold the
thumb in opposition
to the other
digits in order
to limit hyper-enxtension
of the internal
ligament. Neoprene
sheath completely
covers the thumb
column, from
the schipoid
to the first
phalange
 Excellent
thumb support
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