| Common Signs & Symptoms | |||||
| Pain | Swelling | Stiffness | Weakness | Instability | Locking |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Injury
Olly Barkley dislocated his thumb whilst playing in Bath Rugby's Heineken Cup fixture against Leinster in January 2006. Injuries to the ligaments at the base of the thumb are relatively common in rugby. The Ulnar Collateral and the Radial Collateral ligaments are the most commonly injured.
The Treatment
Thumb sprains heal well in around six weeks but dislocations such as Olly Barkley's usually require surgery to restore stability to the joint. In some cases the ruptured ligament becomes entangled in the soft tissue at the base of the thumb. This is known as a 'Stener lesion' and it usually indicates that surgery is appropriate as ligament healing is impaired otherwise.
There are several surgical methods, but basically the surgeon fixes the damaged ligament back in place using wire or sutures. Following surgery, the thumb is usually immobilised in a thumb spica for six weeks. Once the thumb spica is removed, then physiotherapy treatment is very important to regain range of thumb motion, rebuild thumb muscle strength and to resolve stiffness.
Rugby players find that preventative taping can be very effective in improving thumb joint stability and preventing ligament re-injuries of the thumb. Professional players often use a thermoplastic splint which is specially made to protect their thumb.
The Outcome
Following thumb surgery and physiotherapy Olly Barkley's rehabilitation was complete in just 11 weeks. He returned in time for Bath Rugby's Heineken Cup quarter-final victory over Leicester Tigers in April 2006.
What you can do
Recommended Products for Sprained Thumb
Thumb Supports & Braces
ProCare POL'AX 1 Thumb Wrap
£9.34 inc VAT Was £14.99 Save £5.65 (38%)
A thumb support that provides partial immobilisation following thumb injuries and thumb surgery....
(7 reviews)
PhysioRoom.com Wrist Brace With Thumb Splint
£19.99 inc VAT Was £29.99 Save £10.00 (33%)
NEW Adjustable, lightweight and removable wrist/thumb brace that can also...
(3 reviews)
PhysioRoom.com Thumb Stabiliser Support Splint
£14.99 inc VAT
NEW This easy to wear splint is designed for use following fractures and...
(3 reviews)
ProCare ThumbSPICA
£21.99 inc VAT
A lightweight thumb support with firm outer shell and soft terry lining for thumb immobilisation...
(4 reviews)
Mueller Thumb Stabiliser
£25.99 inc VAT Was £26.99 Save £1.00 (4%)
Adjustable thumb brace to treat and prevent thumb injuries such as a broken thumb or sprained thumb and to prevent Skier's thumb...
Vulkan Neoprene Wrist Support
£14.99 inc VAT Was £16.99 Save £2.00 (12%)
A high quality neoprene wrist support that covers the palm of the hand. Provides excellent...
(1 review)
Vulkan Silicon Wrist Support
£19.06 inc VAT Was £21.99 Save £2.93 (13%)
Silicon lined wrist support providing extra compression for wrist injury treatment and sports use....
(1 review)
Aircast A2 Wrist Brace with Thumb Spica
£29.99 inc VAT
Adjustable, lightweight and removable wrist/thumb brace that can also be used as a protective cast....
(4 reviews)
Ice Packs & Cold Therapy
PhysioRoom.com Instant Ice Pack
1+ £2.03
6+ £1.49 (Save 27%)
12+ £0.99 (Save 51%)
24+ £0.69 (Save 66%)
50+ £0.49 (Save 76%)
SAVE UP TO 75%!A mouldable pack that becomes an instant, single use ice pack,...
(1 review)
Aircast Hand & Wrist Cryo/Cuff with Cooler
£108.86 inc VAT Was £147.99 Save £39.13 (26%)
Ultimate hand & wrist ice therapy; provides 6 hours continuous cold and compression to minimise bleeding, swelling and pain. ...
Pain Relief
Mentholatum Deep Relief Gel
£6.99 inc VAT Was £7.99 Save £1.00 (13%)
Deep Relief dual action gel with ibuprofen is a clear, non-sticky and non-greasy gel with a mild,...
(2 reviews)
Tenscare Touch TENS Machine
£30.99 inc VAT Was £41.99 Save £11.00 (26%)
Easy to use dual channel digital TENS machine for effective pain relief featuring seven preset...
(3 reviews)
Taping & Strapping
Mueller Taping Starter Kit
£22.99 inc VAT
Versatile, compact taping kit for athletic events when you need extra support for a joint. Contains 3 rolls of Athletic...
PhysioRoom.com Taping Starter Kit
£17.17 inc VAT Was £22.99 Save £5.82 (25%)
SAVE 28%!Perfect for all taping and strapping techniques. This Taping Starter Kit includes 6 rolls of 4...
Home Rehabilitation Kit
Mobilis Therapeutic Putty (85g tub)
£8.99 inc VAT
Therapeutic putty for strengthening the hand and wrist, as well as improving fine
PhysioRoom.com Hand Grip Exerciser
£2.49 inc VAT Was £6.99 Save £4.50 (64%)
Durable handles and resistance springs demonstrates the high quality of the Hand Grip Exerciser by...
(1 review)
Mobilis Hand Therapy Ball
£11.03 inc VAT Was £12.99 Save £1.96 (15%)
Extra firm squeezable balls for strengthening the hand and wrist. Colour coded according to level of resistance....
Mobilis Digiflex Finger & Grip Strengthener
£25.99 inc VAT
Ergonomically designed finger and grip strengthening device, with individual spring resistance for...
(1 review)
Shopping
Guarantee
Orders Over £65
Order By 2pm
Expert Injury Help
Receive our latest news and offers.
Safe Shopping
We accept the following payment methods
PhysioRoom.com Limited, Unit 1 & 2 Dawson Court, Billington Road, Burnley, Lancashire BB11 5UB, England
© Copyright PhysioRoom.com 2011. All rights reserved. Sitemap.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
The articles on this web site are provided for general information only and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or treatment. All exercises and information featured on this web site should only be practised under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
