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March, 2024

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DR. NS Skiers Thumb

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iLLbiLLy
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 2,631
Yes... I know there are already several threads about this but whatever, I'm making a new one.

Anyways, slipped out in the park the other day and ended up with a full UCL tear in my thumb. Went to the doctor today and she said I need surgery.

They said it would be 1 month of no skiing while the pin was in and 6 months no rock climbing (FML).

Anyways just wanted to hear about so past experiences. Did it really take a month before you were skiing again after surgery? How long did full recovery take you? Anyone try to snowmobile while in a brace? (alright ordered a lefty throttle) Anyone have any advice to make touring easier? (thinking just using poles for the uphill might be alright?) Any climbers out there have this surgery?

Pretty bummed right now so post stupid funny shit if you don't have anything constructive to add.
Dec 20 2013 3:11PM
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Suusataja
Posts: 314 - Karma: 1,113
Click for larger image

This was my thumb last season, I landed on my side and skipole popped my thumb out from the second joint, didn't tear anything badly so no surgery needed. But had to wear a cast for 3 weeks, I didn't use poles for the rest of the season and weren't able to grip objects hard for couple of months, also it still doesn't bend properly..
Dec 20 2013 3:34PM
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Joshua.
Posts: 2957 - Karma: 6,229
If you wear your brace you could ski without poles as long as you're confident that you won't fall. Take this time to focus on real skiing on real groomers. You could also film your friends until your thumb is back to health.
Dec 20 2013 3:35PM
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Dr.Dealgood
Posts: 2587 - Karma: 1,352
My thumb surgery meant three pins, whoopie.

And I wasn't able to do much of anything. I highly doubt you're going to be able to effectively get away with much besides getting yer turn on and doing some filming. The thumb is easy to hurt, especially once it is hurt, can't really stop that gut reaction to throw a hand out when you fall. I wouldn't push it at all. A paced and solid recovery (& PT!!!) means you'll get out there safer, quicker, instead of having a prolonged awkward recovery that won't fully heal.

And something amusing, per request:

Click for larger image
Dec 20 2013 3:38PM
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iLLbiLLy
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 2,631
I live in jackson so how bout real skiing on real powder? The fact that I hurt it in the park is the worst part as I pretty much gave that shit up 2 years ago (now I remember why). The snow hasn't been great the week so I decided I'd take some park laps... Big mistake
Dec 20 2013 3:39PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,940
People don't ditch their poles before catching themselves?
Dec 20 2013 3:42PM
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iLLbiLLy
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 2,631
I should have specified, I don't really care about skiing park. Just wondering if I'll be able to ski at all during the first month after surgery. And how hard I'll be able to go after that.

I already know skiing steep couloirs and pillow lines without poles is going to be pretty difficult.
Dec 20 2013 3:44PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
I skied with mine for 3 weeks after surgery in a fibreglass cast (no poles). My surgeon pretty much said "I'm meant to tell you not to ski, but I know you will anyway, so just go for it, you will not break that cast". That was the last 3 weeks of the winter, then I got a good slim splint made by a physio which I wore the following summer and most of the next winter.
Dec 20 2013 3:52PM
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e.will
Posts: 1981 - Karma: 967
I did the same thing back in college. Lost part of my bone somewhere along the way, too.

This is how my orthopedist described it:

"Look, you can get the surgery, go skiing with that cast, and have it heal fully. But then what happens next year? Your probably going to fall like that again, and boom, you're right back here in my office. We'll just cast it for a month, and you can wear a brace once the cast comes off."

Obviously, each case is different, but i ski and tour with a thumb brace at all times (well, usually put the brace on once I'm gearing up for the decent. It's not that bad). I've gotten pretty good at popping my thumb back into place when it dislocates now. It's just something i deal with.

Climbing might actually make it worth you're while to get the surgery, though.
Dec 20 2013 9:10PM
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iLLbiLLy
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 2,631
any one had any advice on what to use as a glove over my brace? Its a pretty small thermoplastic brace but even my xl gloves that are way too big don't fit over it. Used a sock today with some success.
Dec 21 2013 2:39PM
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jordangaebel
Posts: 365 - Karma: 92
dont fall dont do anything that is too hard i guess.. I broke my arm last year all I did was just rip groomers and just have some fun.. Buying a season pass and new gear is not worth it if you take a month off with a measly broken hand/thumb.
Dec 21 2013 2:45PM
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Crispy.
Posts: 6102 - Karma: 7,626
I know you're asking about recovery but YALL NEED TO START WEARING YOUR POLE STRAPS CORRECTLY

Seriously though, it does work.

@:40

Dec 21 2013 11:04PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24703 - Karma: 29,680
I fucking HAAATE skiers thumb. It's the most annoying injury because it puts you out regardless of the ability of the rest of your body to do shit.

Just got it today. Again. For the... I don't know... 6th time on my left thumb? Probably not a tear or anything since I do have strength in it, but man it's sore.

I just hope this doesn't put me out of climbing for too long...
Apr 6 2014 8:41AM
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