Gamekeeper's Thumb - JP Fitness Forums

Mustang · 01-11-2005, 11:43 AM

Went skiing a couple of weeks ago and fell. Ended up with what is called gamekeeper's thumb or skiier's thumb. Basically, I put my hand down to break my fall and the ski pole jammed between the thumb and pointer finger resulting in a bone chip at the lower joint of the thumb. Doc said the tendon that is attached there is so strong that instead of the tendon tearing it pulls a piece of the bone out! Recommended surgery.

Had the surgery. He removed the chip altogether and attached the tendon to an anchor he placed in the bone itself. I'm not totally comfortable as a couple of things he told me changed along the way. Originally he said it would be a metal anchor but then he said he changed his mind and used an anchor that would dissolve over time. No problem but shouldn't he have known this upfront? Also, I could've sworn he said after a week I would be put in a splint but today he put me in a hard cast for three weeks with a splint to follow. I'm just about positive he did not tell me about the hard cast.

Lastly, bending the tip of my injured thumb is very hard to do and painful at the knuckle. Doc said that is normal and I need to start doing it right away. But it is also painful at the knuckle to bend the adjacent pointer finger as well.

I would appreciate hearing any feedback on any aspect of the above. Anyone else have this injury? Is my experience the norm? Anything at all. Thanks!

Bill Hartman · 01-11-2005, 02:45 PM

Maybe he should have mentioned the possibility of using a different anchor, but who knows why the decision was made. Have you thought about asking him why he changed his mind? Not that it's a big deal.

Cast and then splint is common. He may have just generalized and mispoken. Don't worry.

It is possible that you also sprained your other finger as well. If it doesn't improve contact your doctor.

I would think you'll be in good shape in about 3 months or so depending on how your rehab goes and your doc's protocol.

Bill

russ · 01-11-2005, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Had the surgery. He removed the chip altogether and attached the tendon to an anchor he placed in the bone itself. I'm not totally comfortable as a couple of things he told me changed along the way. Originally he said it would be a metal anchor but then he said he changed his mind and used an anchor that would dissolve over time. No problem but shouldn't he have known this upfront?

I hope your rehab is off to a good start.

The decision to change the type of material used is often made during the operation because of various factors. He may have been almost certain that he would use the metal type and felt that discussing other possibilities might have made you more anxious and confused prior to the operation. Most people aren't exactly in the happiest frame of mind prior to an operation.

Quote:

Also, I could've sworn he said after a week I would be put in a splint but today he put me in a hard cast for three weeks with a splint to follow. I'm just about positive he did not tell me about the hard cast.

A couple of possibilities: 1) Your surgeon misspoke. That sort of thing happens. He may simply have given you incorrect information by mistake. 2) In the anxious moments leading up to an operation, people often incorrectly hear what the surgeon has told them. It's a common phenomenon, and people will often say that the doctor 'never told me this', even though it's clearly marked in the chart that it was discussed. It's not your fault if that happened---it's normal to be upset and anxious prior to surgery.

Make sure that you have a good physiotherapist and you should be fine in the long run.

Mustang · 01-11-2005, 04:41 PM

Thanks for the replies. How long can I expect to have to wear the splint? When do you think I can resume lifting weights?

russ · 01-11-2005, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mustang:
Thanks for the replies. How long can I expect to have to wear the splint? When do you think I can resume lifting weights?

Best to discuss that with your doc and your physio. They'll be able to answer based on your progress. Keep in mind that there are a lot of exercises you can still do while you're injured.

Mustang · 01-11-2005, 06:10 PM

What kind of exercises can I still do safely? I was thinking if I used a strap I might be able to do pulling exercises. Anything else?

russ · 01-11-2005, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mustang:
What kind of exercises can I still do safely? I was thinking if I used a strap I might be able to do pulling exercises. Anything else?

I'd lay off of the injured side until your physio clears you to lift. I did some light unilateral work for the first 6 weeks after I hurt my shoulder. I'm still doing unilateral overheads, but I'm doing light normal workouts for everything else.

There are deadlifts that you can perform one handed. I hate the Smith machine, but I've seen people do Smith machine squats when they have a hand injury. You can also do any of the machine based leg exercises.

Mustang · 02-02-2005, 04:04 PM

Got the cast off yesterday!!!!!! Where he reattached the ligament is a build up of scar tissue. This is right where your thumb meets your hand. That I can understand. What I cannot understand is across the top of the knuckle, where nothing was done, it is very stiff. I cannot bend my thumb down very much at all. It looks swollen in the same area. Why is this?

P.S. The doc told me two more weeks before I can hit the weights. That would be a total of 6 weeks since the operation. Does that sound right? I'm chomping at the bit but the LAST thing I want to do is screw it up and have to go through this all over again!!

Thanks!

bryanc · 02-02-2005, 07:53 PM

You've probably developed some adhesions from being immobilized. 6 weeks is probably about right. You probably also have some physio to go through. Start moving your thumb around, but not loading it with anything yet. And I'd probably start bending it as well.