Skier's Thumb (UCL Injury)

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PhippyKinz

Member
This weekend I was just shredding around A-Basin, not getting too crazy, and BOOM out of nowhere my skis cross over themselves (It happens when you tele...) and I end up eating all the s**t. Long story short my pole tore the Ullner Collateral Ligament in my left thumb. Don't worry, I already cut my pole straps off, as I'm not trying to deal with this nonsense again. Surgery is a "maybe" as we don't know how bad the tear is.

I'm just wondering who has dealt with this injury, and if you have any advice on the surgery and/or rehab process. Anything would be appreciated as I am trying to get my hand healthy as soon as possible!
 
My dad did the same thing and had to get pins in his thumb, he had the doctor put him in a cast that would allow him to still hold his pole.
 
13883043:JWillySkeez said:
My dad did the same thing and had to get pins in his thumb, he had the doctor put him in a cast that would allow him to still hold his pole.
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Do you happen to know how long he was in the cast?
 
Had the same injury 2 years ago from skating. I did have to have a surgery and a temporary pin to hold the thumb in place while it was healing. This happened at the end of November so I was super concerned for the upcoming ski season. I wore a way over sized mitten over my cast. Had it on until February so about 2 months. I wore a brace for the rest of the ski season and went sans poles as well. Up until the first hard fall in the park, I was favoring it some. I didn’t have any issues. Just know your limits.
 
Same thing happened to my dad and he had to get surgery with a pin to hold it in place while it healed. Really was a long healing process and his range of motion still isn’t the same and he’s never skied again lol. He’s 50 tho so it’s a bit different haha
 
I was lucky enough to get this on both thumbs back to back (about a year apart). It's a very frustrating injury, as your hand is weak with a hurt thumb but it's not like you're going to die or anything. I didn't need surgery for either thumb but they bothered me for about a year after the tear (each one). The more you can rest it, the better. If you are going to ski, I'd get a brace or a cast you can take on and off. Ligaments suck and just take time, but I got super good at rock climbing because all my pull ups were off my fingertips for quite a while so that's a bonus.
 
Bit late now, but I'm pretty sure the Leki trigger system is meant to stop injuries like this. Releases when there's pressure, kinda like a din for your poles.
 
13883193:Jesus.Christ said:
Bit late now, but I'm pretty sure the Leki trigger system is meant to stop injuries like this. Releases when there's pressure, kinda like a din for your poles.
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what kind of park skiier is going to pay $100-200 for a set of poles, and don't you need a set of compatible gloves?
 
13883258:jlens05 said:
what kind of park skiier is going to pay $100-200 for a set of poles, and don't you need a set of compatible gloves?
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Maybe not full park riders, but alot of other people. I'm an ex racer so still use my old set from that, like alot, but I see people in Aus with their all-mountain and park versions. And they come with things that go over your existing gloves...
 
To all those who voted for me to stay inside... you some damn fools. You know damn well this won't stop a ski bum!! And thanks for the info everyone! Although most of it looks like a long process at least I know going into it, and I guess I have to get back into dry land training/exercise.
 
13883277:Jesus.Christ said:
Maybe not full park riders, but alot of other people. I'm an ex racer so still use my old set from that, like alot, but I see people in Aus with their all-mountain and park versions. And they come with things that go over your existing gloves...
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thats sick dude
 
13883258:jlens05 said:
what kind of park skiier is going to pay $100-200 for a set of poles, and don't you need a set of compatible gloves?
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Dude said he was Tele skiing. Not everyone skis park on here

And op, why would this stop you from skiing? Just ditch the poles and don't fall on your thumb

**This post was edited on Jan 25th 2018 at 10:12:51am
 
Hold your poles with the straps coming up from the bottom of your hand. When you let go, they drop, helping you avoid the injury, but still stay on your wrists so you don't have to hike up to grab your sticks. Broke/tore that ligament many times before I knew this, started holding my poles the other way, and haven't had the injury since. I swear it is as simple as that.
 
13883753:willyg0808 said:
Hold your poles with the straps coming up from the bottom of your hand. When you let go, they drop, helping you avoid the injury, but still stay on your wrists so you don't have to hike up to grab your sticks. Broke/tore that ligament many times before I knew this, started holding my poles the other way, and haven't had the injury since. I swear it is as simple as that.
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Trust me bigboyy, I had the straps on the very same way you do now. If you have the straps on you run more risk in damaging your hand/fingers. I just took my doctors advice and cut them off entirely, would much rather hike up/ nab some rental poles if I drop/lose them.
 
13883639:IsitWinterYet17 said:
And op, why would this stop you from skiing? Just ditch the poles and don't fall on your thumb

**This post was edited on Jan 25th 2018 at 10:12:51am
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It's not going to stop me. I just hit up a thrift shop for an XXXL pair of gloves. The poll was just was to see who's a real one and who ain't one. (I.E those who voted for me to stay inside are Jerry's)
 
So I think I did this early in November and my thumbs been jammed since then, how much does it hurt, just to see if I might possibly have it
 
13884006:pizzaman69 said:
So I think I did this early in November and my thumbs been jammed since then, how much does it hurt, just to see if I might possibly have it
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When ever I accidentally touch it/use it, like an SOB. I have had it in a splint since the injury and I am going in for surgery on Friday to reconnect my UCL. If you can use it to grab things (your poles, a glass, book, etc.) and do so with some discomfort/ no discomfort; it could be a slight tear. On the other hand if you can't pick things up or it very painful to do so, I would get it checked out.
 
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