Can you move your thumb with a torn UCL?
This injury is sometimes called “skier’s thumb” because skiers are prone to this injury when they fall with their hand strapped to a ski pole. A thumb UCL injury can be very painful and make the thumb feel unstable. The injury can limit movements, such as squeezing and gripping, needed for many sports.
What is thumb laxity?
Abstract. Instability in the thumb is one of the most frequent sport injuries following trauma with the finger in abducted position. Investigation of the stability includes pinch-hold test and conventional X-ray examination to visualize bone avulsion fractures.
How can you tell if you tore your UCL?
What are the symptoms of a UCL injury?
- A sudden “pop” or pain along the inside of the elbow, leading to the inability to continue throwing.
- Pain on the inside of the elbow after a period of heavy throwing or other overhead activity.
- Pain when accelerating the arm forward, just prior to releasing a ball.
How do I know if I have a torn tendon in my thumb?
Pain and severe swelling on the inner part of the thumb immediately after the injury. Pain and severe swelling on the base of the thumb immediately, or shortly after the injury. Weakness and instability during grasp or writing. Loss of motion when attempting to move the thumb circular.
Can you be hypermobile but not flexible?
Hypermobility often masquerades as flexibility. A hypermobile individual can often perform stretching activities with apparent ease. However, on examination, their muscles will be very tight. It seems counter-intuitive until the movement being performed is closely observed.
How do you treat a thumb UCL?
UCL injuries can be treated surgically or non‐surgically. Non‐surgical or conservative options include plaster or splint immobilization (Sollerman 1991). Typically, the MCP joint is immobilized in the position of mild flexion and slight ulnar (inward) deviation at the MCP joint for four to six weeks.
What is the UCL of the thumb?
The ulnar collateral ligament to the thumb is a complex ligament, comprised of the UCL proper and the accessory UCL. Together, they stabilize the thumb for pinch and grip activities; without this ligament, you would have very little pinch or grip strength and very poor overall dexterity.
What does a partially torn UCL feel like?
What are the symptoms of a UCL injury? A sudden “pop” or pain along the inside of the elbow, leading to the inability to continue throwing. Pain on the inside of the elbow after a period of heavy throwing or other overhead activity. Pain when accelerating the arm forward, just prior to releasing a ball.
What is a UCL rupture of the thumb?
Thumb collateral ligament ruptures, most commonly ulnar collateral (UCL), are athletic injuries that lead to a decrease in effective thumb pinch and grasp. Diagnosis relies upon thumb MCP radial-ulnar stress exam and MRI studies.
What does UCL stand for in medical terms?
Summary Thumb Collateral Ligament Injuries, most commonly ulnar collateral (UCL), are athletic injuries that lead to a decrease in effective thumb pinch and grasp. Diagnosis relies upon thumb MCP radial-ulnar stress exam and MRI studies.
What is the protocol for the treatment of a UCL injury?
immobilization in splint or cast to off-load injured UCL or RCL some protocols advocate for use of removable splint and immediate active and passive range of motion patient must avoid stress on ligament during exercises grip and pinch strengthening began around 4-6 weeks
What is a ulnar collateral ligament injury of thumb?
Ulnar collateral ligament injuries of thumb were first described in gamekeepers who sustained the injury from the repetitive nature of breaking the neck of small game such as birds and rabbits. Hence, this was originally referred to as gamekeeper’s thumb.[1]