Wrist sprain
happens quite often, since hands are the main human tool. Provoking factors are:
- physical exercises performed incorrectly;
- Careless movements, including in children due to the fault of adults;
- unsuccessful falls, blows;
- costs of the profession if it is necessary to repeatedly repeat movements and constant physical activity.
Factors predisposing to complications:
- old age, when the elasticity of connective tissues is lost;
- congenital tendon pathologies;
- inflammation of tissue in the joint area;
- prolonged sitting;
- insufficient physical development.
Damage to the ulnar collateral ligament (“skier’s thumb”)
The collateral ligament can be found by pulling the thumb towards you as far as possible. This bundle of tough, fibrous tissue connects the bones at the base of the big toe. Athletes quite often come across the term “skier’s thumb.”
If a skier falls while skiing but continues to hold the ski pole, a strong jerk can pull his thumb out of his hand. As a result, the finger is seriously injured and damage to the ulnar collateral ligament leads to acute injury to the thumb.
Symptoms of ulnar collateral ligament injury (Skier's Thumb)
Patients who experience an acute sprain or tear of the collateral ligament may experience pain in the big toe, numbness, swelling, and bruising at the base of the toe. In some particularly severe cases, patients are virtually unable to squeeze, throw, or hold objects tightly.
Treatment of ulnar collateral ligament injury (“Skier’s thumb”)
Conservative
Treatment depends on many factors associated with collateral ligament injury. It is important how much time has passed since the injury, what is the patient's age and his daily activities (for example, how often does he use his thumb in everyday activities). If we are dealing with a partial tear that does not require surgery, it may be possible to place the arm in a cast or other wrist brace for 6 weeks. Rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and ice will help reduce pain and heal the injury.
Surgical
If there is severe instability in the finger area or the tendon is completely torn, repair of the ulnar carpal collateral ligament may be required. In cases with damage to the ulnar collateral ligament of the wrist, the sooner treatment is started, the more effective and quicker the treatment will be. We try to use elbow arthroscopy techniques to repair the torn tendon by reattaching it to the bone using sutures. If the tendon is torn directly from the bone, it will be attached directly to the bone. The more chronic the injury, the less likely it is to successfully perform such an operation. In this case, a ligament transplant will be needed to compensate for the tear.
After surgery, the patient will have to wear a cast for 6 weeks, after which they can begin to move the finger. Many patients return to their normal activities (including sports) after 3-4 months after surgery.
Rehabilitation and return to physical activity
After minimally invasive intervention, the patient remains in the clinic for 24 hours. On the morning of the next day after surgery, a specialist examines the wound and can discharge the patient. It is quite possible to remove sutures in a domestic clinic, so the patient does not need to stay in Germany for a long time. Our team will always help the patient regarding treatment control. You contact a DeutscheMedizinischeUnion consultant, provide the latest X-ray data, and we send the result to your attending physician abroad. After reviewing the image, the specialist gives further recommendations for your rehabilitation.
In addition, rehabilitation can be carried out in specialized orthopedic centers in Germany, which our team will also help you choose. However, rehabilitation begins 2-4 weeks after surgery. During this entire time, an orthopedic splint is placed on the thumb joint, keeping it stationary. The wrist joint remains mobile, so the patient’s activity is somewhat preserved.
Note that after surgery, full weight-bearing on the arm is possible only after 1-2 months, but conservative treatment, depending on the degree of the rupture, can take up to 4 months. In any case, in a foreign clinic you will be offered the optimal method of therapy, which will allow you to quickly eliminate the damage and return to your normal life. Leave a request on our website and we will help you get treatment from the best orthopedists abroad.
