Ligaments and sprains
Thumb sprain
What is a sprain?
A sprain is a lesion on one or more ligaments without displacement of the joint (dislocation).
The lesion can vary between a simple elongation (mild sprain) to a total rupture (severe sprain), via tears in a few of the bundles (sprain of medium severity).
The ligaments link one bone to another to form a joint. They are composed of several bundles and are not very extensible.
When there is trauma (shock or a false movement), the joint can find itself in a position that goes beyond its natural amplitude, resulting in a painful lesion.
A mild sprain is also known as a "strain".
What is a thumb sprain?
A thumb sprain is a lesion to the ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb: the lateral ulnar ligament (internal lateral).
When practicing certain sports such as handball, volley-ball, skiing or surfing, this lesion can occur following a shock that forces the thumb to make a movement towards the exterior of the hand. The position of the thumb is forced beyond the natural maximum extension possible between the thumb and the hand. The ligament stretches and this is the sprain.
This type of sprain is also known as the "skier's sprain".
Warning: a thumb sprain can sometimes be associated with a fracture of the base of first phalange.
Orthopaedic treatment
The aim of the orthopaedic solution is to decrease the pain (analgesia) and to heal the ligament. Depending on the severity of the sprain, the solution can range from strapping to immobilisation supports:
thermoformable supports made-to-measure and standard wrist-thumb or thumb supports.
The thumb is placed in a position close to the functional position, which makes it possible to preserve almost normal use of the injured hand.
It is important to accept that the thumb be immobilised for a certain period. Otherwise, the major risk is chronic instability resulting in the loss of the efficacy of the "thumb-index" pincer movement.
Orthopaedic management can fit into the framework of a medical treatment prescribed by your doctor. In case of doubt, ask your doctor or orthopaedist for advice.
