Sprained thumb - what to do?

[Piernas Flacas]

So, after almost two months of living with a pin in my thumb it was finally removed last Tuesday. This morning I went for my first ride around the neighbourhood. Riding on flat terrain or uphills was no problem, only going downhill on rugged terrain. My grip is just not there yet. The thumb is still very stiff. Below are the x-rays before and after the pin was removed.

 

 

[Skylark]

How do pins help repair torn ligaments?

[V12man]

How do pins help repair torn ligaments?

look carefully - there is more than Just a pin in there - looks like there is another fixation in there - possibly 2

 

But to answer your question - stabilising thenjoin will help ligament repair - downside is mobility after the fact can be problematic to rehab.

[Skylark]

look carefully - there is more than Just a pin in there - looks like there is another fixation in there - possibly 2

 

But to answer your question - stabilising thenjoin will help ligament repair - downside is mobility after the fact can be problematic to rehab.

So the pins etc limit/prevent joint movement which in turn allows the ligaments to knit/heal?

[RockCoach]

Andrew Barrow at Sunninhill Hospital - any one of the three Barrows in that practice.

Their rooms are like a revolving patient terminal. I reckon 4 out of 5 go through to Andrew. His one receptionist told me she booked in a patient of his to fill up a day so he had an appointment every 7 minutes.

[V12man]

Their rooms are like a revolving patient terminal. I reckon 4 out of 5 go through to Andrew. His one receptionist told me she booked in a patient of his to fill up a day so he had an appointment every 7 minutes.

I normally see his dad - nothing is rushed...

 

Posts surgical follow up consults are usually pretty short - 3 - 5 min I guess no matter who does them - unless the surgeon is feeling chatty or she is a 38dd....

[V12man]

So the pins etc limit/prevent joint movement which in turn allows the ligaments to knit/heal?

Pretty much - and you can pin a ligament or tendon back to the bone as well - then immobilise so it doesnt get pulled off again before it heals

[RockCoach]

I normally see his dad - nothing is rushed...

 

Posts surgical follow up consults are usually pretty short - 3 - 5 min I guess no matter who does them - unless the surgeon is feeling chatty or she is a 38dd....

 

Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't go anywhere else for a wrist.

[V12man]

Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't go anywhere else for a wrist.

Or a forearm?

[Piernas Flacas]

Thanks for recommending Dr Barrow, V12! He's fantastic.

 

And you're right, he fitted two ligament anchors and the pin to stabilize. It was already sticking out when I went to see him last week so he just pulled it out like when you remove brake pad pins :-)

 

I went for another ride yesterday. Still a bit painful. SInce I can't bend the thumb it bangs against the levers on rugged terrain. So can't off-road just yet.

 

Dr Barrow recommended to see the physio after holidays.

[Albatross]

Thanks for recommending Dr Barrow, V12! He's fantastic.

 

And you're right, he fitted two ligament anchors and the pin to stabilize. It was already sticking out when I went to see him last week so he just pulled it out like when you remove brake pad pins :-)

 

I went for another ride yesterday. Still a bit painful. SInce I can't bend the thumb it bangs against the levers on rugged terrain. So can't off-road just yet.

 

Dr Barrow recommended to see the physio after holidays.

So how is the thumb holding up a year later? Keen to know as I'm going under the knife on Friday to repair torn ligament on my right thumb.

I landed awkwardly after falling off mtb resulting in a double dislocation of my thumb which caused the skin to burst from the pressure (6 stitches in that baby). Surgeon talking about 3 months rehab.

[V12man]

So how is the thumb holding up a year later? Keen to know as I'm going under the knife on Friday to repair torn ligament on my right thumb.

I landed awkwardly after falling off mtb resulting in a double dislocation of my thumb which caused the skin to burst from the pressure (6 stitches in that baby). Surgeon talking about 3 months rehab.

Rhand xray.jpg

Sounds about right - that looks really painful...

 

Time to think about gripshift for a while after rehab is finished.

[Piernas Flacas]

So how is the thumb holding up a year later? Keen to know as I'm going under the knife on Friday to repair torn ligament on my right thumb.

I landed awkwardly after falling off mtb resulting in a double dislocation of my thumb which caused the skin to burst from the pressure (6 stitches in that baby). Surgeon talking about 3 months rehab.

Rhand xray.jpg

 

Albatross, it took me about 3 months after the pin was removed to get a good grip and about 4 months to ride comfortably again. My thumb won't be the same again. I made peace with that. I just can't get it to bend at a 90 degree angle, only about 45, but it's enough for a good grip. It also took some time to shift comfortably again. I just had to be patient. Other than than I'm happy with the overall recovery.

[Albatross]

Surgery apparently went well but the trauma to the ligament was more extensive than originally expected so I've  also ended up with a pin in there. I'll get to see the pics on Tuesday during consult with Doc. Time to dust off the running shoes  

[V12man]

Surgery apparently went well but the trauma to the ligament was more extensive than originally expected so I've also ended up with a pin in there. I'll get to see the pics on Tuesday during consult with Doc. Time to dust off the running shoes

No fractures?

[Albatross]

No fractures?

Nope, just a pringled thumb