What is meant by **skier's thumb** is damage to the soft tissue that connects the bones of the thumb, which in medical terms is called ligament. There are a significant number of skiing injuries that are known for this disease.... In severe cases where a complete tear of the ligament occurs, this injury must be surgically repaired. The stability of the ligament is very important because of the role it plays in holding the thumb... People with this disease may be able to return to their jobs and even skiing in a short time with rehabilitation. What causes skiers' thumb? Falling on the hand while holding the skis puts a lot of pressure on the thumb. It also causes the ligament to stretch or tear. Usually, when you don't have skis in your hand, you don't have such a force on your hand when you fall... but if the speed is high and the snow is compacted, then your thumb can be injured. Another less common cause of this injury is a car accident, while the driver has their thumb on the steering wheel... In general, any injury in which the thumb bends abnormally backwards or sideways causes skiers' thumb. Read more: Decron syndrome What symptoms does skier's thumb cause? The symptoms mentioned below appear from a few minutes to a few hours after the fall: - Pain at the base of the thumb and in the space between the thumb and index finger - Swelling in the thumb - Inability to grasp objects or a feeling of weakness between the thumb and forefinger - Sensitivity to touch along the index finger and thumb - Change thumb color from blue to black - thumb pain worsens with movement in one or all directions - Feeling pain in the wrist How can this complication be diagnosed? When you visit a doctor, he will ask about your medical history and how the injury occurred, and finally perform a physical examination. Thumb function is also evaluated.. Imaging such as x-rays helps rule out any fractures. Usually an MRI is prescribed to determine if there is a complete tear in the thumb. Other areas such as the hand, wrist, shoulder, elbow, forearm need further investigation. If you have done home treatment; But it was not effective and things like fever and chills developed in you, you should see a doctor for more effective treatment. When should you see a doctor? If you experience any of the symptoms of skier's thumb following an injury, see a pain specialist immediately for treatment... You should follow your doctor's orders, including prescriptions and home care. therapeutic solutions Depending on the severity of the injury, different treatments are considered for people, as follows: ### RICE treatment method - Limit your activities to rest your hands. - Put an ice pack on the affected thumb every hour for 20 minutes. - You should wrap your finger with a special bandage. - Keep your hand above the level of your heart. ### Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce swelling and pain. ### prescription pain medications If the disease has severe pain, the doctor prescribes a higher dose of painkillers, which can be in the form of tablets, creams or gels. ### Using a cast, splint or brace Your thumb needs a rest... Placing or splinting the thumb helps to immobilize the finger and ultimately speed up the healing process. Sometimes you need to list each of these items for a few weeks to fully recover. ### Physiotherapy The exercises that the doctor considers for the patient help to increase the range of motion and strengthen the thumb, hand and wrist a lot. ### Surgery If there is a severe sports injury in the thumb or other cases such as ligament tears, damage to other tissues and bones are diagnosed, they may finally recommend surgery to repair the damage. Even when the injury heals, you may need to wear a cast or splint for a month or more. Does skier's thumb cause complications? If the injury to the thumb does not heal as it should, you are likely to experience this condition again. Also, this disease becomes a long-term and chronic condition where you will eventually experience things like instability or weakness in the thumb and possibly around the fingers, hand and wrist. Over time, the patient develops arthritis in the thumb, which causes symptoms such as pain, limited movement, and stiffness.