Causes
The thumb is the most mobile finger, which is stabilized by various ligaments. Ligaments support the respective joint and guide the movement of the finger. Overstretching or a sudden pulling of the thumb can cause a tear (rupture) of a ligament, which leads to instability of the joint.
The typical torn ligament of the thumb is an injury to the inner collateral ligament. This is classically caused by excessive straining of the thumb from the other fingers, for example, when a person falls while skiing while the thumb is unhappily caught in the loop of the ski poles. Basically, however, in any sport in which the thumb is put under a lot of strain, an accident can tear a ligament in the thumb. Martial arts, floor gymnastics, apparatus gymnastics or ball sports are especially endangered.
Duration
A torn ligament in the thumb usually heals well and completely. Early treatment of the injury and regular follow-up care are important for a good chance of recovery. Both conservative and surgical therapy usually takes about six weeks until movement therapy can be started and the healing process is completed. At the latest, however, three months after the injury, the thumb should be able to bear full weight again. If a torn ligament of the thumb is not or not properly treated, complications or late consequences such as a malposition of the basic joint of the thumb can occur.
Operation
If the ligament on the thumb is completely torn off and possibly additional bony tears or fractures (fractures) are diagnosed, surgery is usually necessary. To restore the structure of the collateral ligament and stabilise the thumb in the long term, the ligament should be operated in these cases. In order to operate on the torn ligament of the thumb, the remaining ligament is sutured together or reconstructed with the aid of a piece of tendon.
Often, additional bony structures are also injured, as the ligament is firmly attached to the bone and can tear a piece of bone in an accident. For this reason it is often necessary to use sutures or screws to fix the bone and joint. After the operation, the thumb is immobilised for a few weeks, usually with the help of a plaster cast.
Immobilization with a plaster cast is usually done in a plaster splint, which immobilizes all joints of the thumb except the final joint. To inspect the wound, the cast is usually changed two or three times, except for immobilization with a thumb splint. This is followed by exercise therapy under the supervision of a physiotherapist.
Wallpaper, plaster and splint
A conservative therapy of a torn ligament of the thumb without surgery is usually only considered if the collateral ligament of the thumb is overstretched or if the ligament is only torn. In order for the ligament to heal completely, the thumb must be immobilised. The typical methods for this are a thumb splint, a plaster cast or a firm tape bandage. This immobilisation by means of tape, plaster or a splint must be done for about four to six weeks, as ligaments and tendons take longer to heal. After this time, under the guidance of a physiotherapist, the thumb should be slowly moved again to restore the thumb to its original stability and mobility.
