You have damaged a ligament in your thumb. You have had a thorough examination and are now considered fit to be discharged. The following instructions will aid your recovery.
What is the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb?
- The UCL provides static stabilisation of the lower thumb joint (1st MCPJ) that lies beside the 1st web space on the hand.
- Ligaments are designed to prevent excessive movement at a joint.
- You have injured the ligament that provides the stability to your thumb joint.
What is a UCL Injury to the thumb?
- This can occur when a person falls on an outstretched arm, and in so doing, forcing the thumb upwards (abduction) and backwards (extension) against an object or the ground.
- Although it can effect anyone, it is more frequent in sports such as skiing (thumb caught on ski pole), football and rugby (thumb caught in Jersey), but can happen in any sport.
What injuries can occur to the UCL?
- There are three different grades of UCL injury (sprain) that can occur in the form of grade one, two & three.
- The clinician who examines your thumb injury will perform a test to check for UCL laxity.
What will happen to my thumb?
- You may experience swelling and bruising to the joint at the base of your thumb.
- Pain may occur in the 1st web space at the base of the thumb.
How long will it take my thumb ligament to heal?
Healing times will depend on the grade of injury sustained to the thumb ligament.
- Grade one sprains should heal in about 6 weeks, but may take longer to improve.
- Grade two sprains will take longer than 6 weeks, and you will require hand therapy advice regarding treatments and rehabilitation exercises.
- Grade three tear will require surgery and you will require hand therapy advice regarding treatments and rehabilitation exercises.
When can I return to normal activity?
If your job does not entail manual work, we would encourage you to return to work as soon as you feel comfortable. If your job involves manual work or you play sport you may need longer to recover.
Thumb splint
- You will have been supplied a thumb splint to wear for your comfort and in order to allow time for the ligaments to recover.
- It is important that you apply the thumb splint correctly and if you are unsure of how to apply this, then please let us know and this can be demonstrated to you.
Thumb exercises
- It is important that you remove the splint and perform some thumb movements to prevent joint stiffness and muscle wastage.
- Thumb exercises that you should perform have been supplied with this leaflet.
- For grade one UCL sprains active thumb movements can commence as soon as possible, however, pain may limit full movements within the first 2 weeks post injury.
- Thumb active exercises should be performed 3–4 times a day and you should gradually increase that number as the weeks progress.
- It you have any limitations in thumb movements or concerns regarding healing of the UCL ligament you should arrange to get a referral via your GP to a hand therapist or physiotherapist.
Active thumb exercises
IPJ blocking – hold thumb with your other hand just below the end joint and bend the thumb tip.
MCPJ blocking – hold thumb with your other hand at the base and bend the bottom joint on its own.
Thumb extension/flexion – straighten thumb and then bend towards the base of the little finger.
Thumb abduction/ adduction – move thumb away from index finger as far as possible and then move towards index finger.
Thumb to fingertips – touch thumb to the tip of each finger.
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