Skier's thumb
Original Editors - Alicia Keefe and Brenna Rutledge as part of the Temple University EBP Project
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Search Strategy[edit | edit source]
Keywords:
Gamekeeper's thumb; Skier’s thumb; UCL injury of the thumb; Thumb injury; Ulnar collateral ligament injury; Stener lesion; Thumb sprain; Sprained thumb; Wackeldaum; Bennet fracture; Rolando fracture
Databases searched:
Medscape, Pedro, Google Scholar, Pubmed, Cochrane library, Web of Knowledge, Library of the VUB, ScienceDirect
Definition/description[edit | edit source]
Skier's thumb is a acute partial or complete rupture of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the thumb’s metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) due to a hyperabduction trauma of the thumb.
Whilst both terms are often used interchangeably, skier’s thumb refers to the cause being acute injury. Gamekeeper’s thumb specifically refers to the cause being chronic injury to the UCL in which it became attenuated through repetitive stress.
UCL damage caused by Chronic injury may have a serious risk of disabling instability, pinch strength, and pain-free motion if not treated adequately .[10][12][13]][38][41][42]
In 64–87% of total UCL tears, Stener lesion can occur. A Stener lesion occurs when the adductor aponeurosis becomes interposed between the ruptured UCL and its site of insertion at the base of the proximal phalanx. Hence making it impossible for the loosened ligament to reconnect with the site of insertion, necessitating surgery.[43]
Video illustration:
Stener lesion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLskrc7qifY
Skier’s thumb: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFbxlgztK5U
Clinically Relevant Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb is a diarthrodial joint, reinforced by a capsule and by other soft tissue structures. The surrounding soft tissue offers both dynamic and static stability.[2]
The passive stability is provided by the following structures:
● Proper collateral ligament
● Accessory collateral ligament
● Volar plate
● Dorsal capsule[31]
The proper collateral ligament extends from a point slightly dorsal to the mid-axis of the metacarpal head to the palmar aspect of the proximal phalanx (Fig. 1). The proper collateral ligament prevents palmar subluxation of the proximal phalanx and serves as the primary restraint to valgus stress with the metacarpophalangeal joint in flexion. The accessory collateral ligament courses palmarly to insert onto the volar plate. The accessory collateral ligament is contiguous with the proper collateral ligament proximally. The volar plate and the accessory collateral ligament function as the principal restraints to valgus stress with the metacarpophalangeal joint in extension. [31]
Dynamic stabilizers to valgus stress consist of the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the thumb:
● Extensor pollicis brevis
● Extensor pollicis longus
● Flexor pollicis longus
● Adductor pollicis
● Flexor pollicis brevis
The adductor mechanism presents as an aponeurosis superficial to the metacarpophalangeal joint capsule and ulnar collateral ligament. The adductor mechanism maintains dual insertions. The superficial insertion of the adductor mechanism is the extensor expansion via the adductor aponeurosis; the deep insertion extends to the palmar aspect of the proximal phalanx via the ulnar sesamoid of the metacarpophalangeal joint. [2][13] [31]
The range of motion is highly variable at the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint. [31]
The movement association with the thumb MCPJ include flexion, extension, rotation, abduction and adduction. [2]
There are two main supporting ligaments traversing the MCPJ of the thumb:
1) the UCL ligament
2) the radial collateral ligament (RCL)
The UCL and RCL arise from the medial and lateral tubercles of the metacarpal condyles and insert into the base of the proximal phalanx on their respective sides, beneath the adductor aponeurosis (Figure 1b).[2][3] The UCL prevents the thumb from pointing too far away from the hand.[10]
Mechanism of Injury[edit | edit source]
An acute UCL injury occurs following a sudden, forced abduction movement at the MCP joint, whereas a forced adduction movement would cause injury to the RCL (Figure 2).[1] With regards to skiing, the injury often occurs when a person lands on an outstretched hand while holding a ski pole, which causes forced abduction of the thumb with or without extension (Figure 3).[2] If the injury to the UCL is not treated properly, this can lead to chronic laxity, joint instability, pain, weakness and arthritis in the MCPJ.
Mechanism of injury by falling.
Figure 2. Mechanism of injury by falling.[3]
Figure 3. Mechanism of injury by skiing.[4]
Characteristics/Clinical Presentation
[edit | edit source]
The most common presentation is pain over the ulnar aspect of the MCPJ of the thumb. If the injury is acute there will be bruising and inflammation (Figure 4). There may be tenderness with palpation, which localizes the injury to the ulnar aspect of the thumb where the UCL is lesioned. Patients typically complain of pain and weakness when using a pincer grip. Examples include holding a pen, grasping objects, unscrewing jar lids and turning a key or doorknob.[1] In the instance of a Stener lesion, there may also be a palpable mass proximal to the adductor aponeurosis.[2]
Figure 4. Presentation of an ulnar collateral ligament injury with an avulsion fracture. Photo courtesy H. Stevenson.
Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
● RCL injury
● Avulsion fracture
● Wrist sprain
● Wrist fracture
● Dislocation of 1st MCP joint
● Chronic instability of the 1st MCP joint
● Lunate dislocation
Complications[edit | edit source]
If the UCL is ruptured there is a possibility that the distal end may become interposed by the adductor aponeurosis, which is referred to as a Stener lesion (Figure 5). A Stener lesion is difficult to diagnose but leads to poor healing and usually indicates operative management. If left untreated, a torn UCL can lead to joint instability and a weak pinch grip.[5]
Figure 5. Stener lesion.[5]
Examination[edit | edit source]
Begin looking for deformities with observation of the hand at rest and in flexion. Then test the sensation in the hand followed by active range of motion (AROM). AROM should be followed by passive range of motion (PROM) and resisted movement to assess tendon integrity, if possible. To test the UCL, apply a valgus stress to the thumb in 30 degrees of flexion (Figure 4). This test is referred to as the Valgus Stress to UCL test. A rupture is likely if there is more than 30 degrees of laxity in the injured thumb or 15 degrees more laxity than on the noninjured side. To test the accessory UCL, apply a valgus stress to the thumb in full extension. A rupture is likely if there is more than 30 degrees of laxity in the injured thumb or 15 degrees more laxity than on the noninjured side. When the accessory UCL is still intact a Stener lesion is less likely. If there is any concern about the possibility of fractures to the first metacarpal or proximal phalanx of the thumb, plain radiographs are indicated prior to stress testing of the UCL. It is important to note that pain when examining can cause apprehension with subsequent tensing of surrounding muscles and can lead to a false negative.[1]
Figure 6. Valgus stress to UCL - compare stability in injured thumb to uninjured thumb.[5]
Management/Intervention[edit | edit source]
A UCL injury may be managed conservatively or surgically depending on the severity of the injury, location of injury, and the patient’s goals. Chronic instability of the MCPJ can occur if the injury is not managed properly.[2]
Physical Therapy Management
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Nonoperative treatment is reserved for ligament strains, partial tears, low-demand patients and poor-operative candidates, including patients with degenerative MCP joint disease.[6] More specifically, conservative management is appropriate for patients with less than 30 degrees of valgus laxity of extension of the MCPJ, less than 15 degrees difference between sides, and no signs of avulsion fracture on radiographs.[2] Conservative treatment typically starts with some sort of immobilization process. A thumb spica cast, including the wrist, may also be worn until the initial inflammation is resolved, typically within a week (Figure 7).[2] Swelling can be controlled with elevation while supine, and the use of cold compresses as needed.[6]
Once the inflammation has resolved, the patient is advised to start wearing a thermoplastic splint. The thermoplastic splint allows for the patient to begin movement of the interphalangeal joint. Thermoplastic splinting can be used initially for less severe incomplete ligamentous injuries. Wearing a splint will avoid putting radial stress on the thumb and gives the ligament time to heal.[2] The optimal positioning for the splint involves holding the MCPJ in slight flexion with a slight ulnar deviation; the interphalangeal joints should not be immobilized in the splint. The patient should begin supervised hand therapy during the period of immobilization. The splint should be worn at all times, except for therapy sessions, for at least 6 weeks, after which the splint should only be worn during high risk situations, such as manual labor.[2]
Figure 7. Thumb spica splint.[5]
Gentle flexion and extension range of motion exercises can begin after about four weeks, with the patient continuing to wear the splint between therapy sessions. After 8 weeks progressive strengthening exercises may begin, but unrestricted activity is not allowed until after 12 weeks.[2] Gripping and pinching activities should not started until 10-12 weeks and should be advanced as tolerated; forceful gripping activities are typically not tolerated until about week 12.[6]
Surgical Management
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Operative management depends on a timely diagnosis of the injury; chronic lesions become more difficult to repair with increased time since injury since remaining tissue becomes attenuated not robust enough to provide adequate support to the joint.[6] There are multiple methods of repair, which can be categorized into dynamic or static.[1][6]
Dynamic
● Extensor indicis proprius tendon transfer
● Extensor pollicis brevis tendon transfer
● Adductor pollicis brevis tendon transfer
Static
● Figure-of-eight grafting
● Parallel configuration graft
● Triangular configuration with proximal apex graft
● Triangular configuration with distal apex graft
● Dually opposed biotenodesis fixation of tendon graft
● Tendon graft weaves
● Dually opposed suture anchor fixation
● Hybrid technique
Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]
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References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Cite error: Invalid
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedAnderson D - ↑ Zeigler T. Thumb sprain also known as “skier’s thumb” or “gamekeeper’s thumb”. www.sportsmd.com/Articles/tabid/1010/id/50/Default.aspx?n=thumb_sprain_also_known_as_skier%E2%80%99s_thumb_or_gamekeeper%E2%80%99s_thumb (accessed 13 March 2011).
- ↑ Manhattan Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Group. Skier's thumb. manhattanorthopedic.com/2011/01/skier%E2%80%99s-thumb/ (accessed 13 March 2011).
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Leggit JC, Meko CJ. Acute finger injuries: Part II. Fractures, dislocations, and thumb injuries. Am Fam Physician. 2006;73(5):827-834.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Rettig A, Rettig L, Welsch M. Anatomic reconstruction of thumb metacarpophalangeal joint ulnar collateral ligament using an interference screw docking technique. Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2009;13(1):7-10.
