Harlan Selesnick, MD, team physician of the Miami Heat, in a Q-and-A with the Miami Herald, said that "skier's thumb" may require surgery.
The question writer asked how much longer he should expect to heal from a particularly difficult fall with a skier's pole that snapped his left thumb back. Though X-rays showed no fracture, the pain remained and strength had not returned.
"When you fall on a ski pole, the thumb pushes outward and tears the ligament," Dr. Selesnick explained. "Minor injuries to the ligament can be treated with rest, bracing or a cast. However, complete tears of the ligament usually require surgery to restore normal function. …
"Skier's thumb can be seen in any sport where the thumb is forced outward. In fact, over the years we have had several Heat players who have sustained this injury."
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