![wrap your thumb wrap your thumb](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1335/7849/files/tape_GUIDE-03-03_1024x1024.jpg)
The challenge is that the thumb is used in most functional activities involving the hand so functional disability of the thumb may result in significant challenges for the athlete. The swelling may extend beyond the injured joint and move either down the thumb and/or up into the hand.Ī partial ligament tear may result in significant pain anytime the athlete tries to move the joint. The athlete may experience immediate pain and disability of the thumb. This type of injury is considered a moderate injury and one that needs immediate attention and treatment. The joint may also hyperextend meaning that the torn ligament(s) may allow the joint to extend beyond its normal extended position. This means that the joint may have sideways movement when it should only be able to flex and extend. The ligament is partially torn resulting in a joint that is unstable. Movement of the joint may increase the athlete’s pain and discomfort.Ī second degree sprain: Is a moderate injury because there is actual damage to the ligament. The stretching of the ligament may still cause pain, mild localized swelling, and point tenderness directly over the ligament. When a ligament stability test is applied to the injured joint, the joint remains stable and the ligament remains tight. Each classification is based on the amount of damage to the ligament.Ī first-degree sprain: Is a mild injury in which the ligament may be stretched some but is not torn. Sprains can be diagnosed as either mild (first degree), moderate (second degree) or severe (third degree). For an athlete, this type of injury can be devastating. This type of injury may affect the athlete’s ability to grip, throw, or catch an object. In this case, it is an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the thumb.īecause the purpose of ligaments is to stabilize the bones within a joint, significant injury to this ligament can cause instability of the thumb. What is a sprained thumb of the ulnar collateral ligament?Ī sprain is an injury to a ligament. Any significant injury to this joint (i.e., fracture, dislocation, or severe sprain) can cause functional disability of the thumb and hand if not treated correctly. The proximal joint of the thumb is called the metacarpophalangeal joint because it is the articulation between the first metacarpal and the proximal phalange of the thumb. While the fingers have three phalanges (small bones) and two joints (proximal and distal interphalangeal joints), the thumb only has two phalanges and one interphalangeal joint. The thumb is unique from the fingers in its anatomical structure. One of the more common injuries to the thumb is an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (ligament on the inside of the thumb at the proximal or first joint). You’ll usually feel pain and stiffness at the base of your thumb and you may see swelling and bruising.
![wrap your thumb wrap your thumb](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0576/0791/3621/files/Steps_To_Use_BODYFIST_95db34af-70bb-490d-8fcd-3f5618ba4176_600x600.png)
A sprained thumb involves damage of the connective tissues where ligament is stretched or torn.