Injury Breakdown: Thumb's Down
By Abby Sims
Unless you live under a rock you've been trashing Francisco Rodriguez today, as multiple sources have been reporting that he'll undergo surgery on a torn ligament in his pitching thumb. Had he hurt it fielding a tough play or by accident we would be more understanding, but no, he hurt it while punching out his girlfriend's father: real nice. Shaquille O'Neill had similar surgery earlier this year for an injury sustained in the course of play. Reports of both injuries did not specify the ligament that was torn but it is likely that both gentlemen (I use the work loosely in KRod's case) tore the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the thumb, a common sports injury and also often a byproduct of falling on an outstretched hand.
What is the UCL (Ulnar Collateral Ligament) of the Thumb?
A ligament is the connective tissue connecting one bone to another to provide stability at a joint. Each joint has at least one ligament on each side. In the hand or elbow, the inner (medial) side, or side of the ulna bone in the forearm, is called the ulnar side, and the outer (lateral) side is called the radial side because of its relationship to the radius (the outer bone in the forearm). Hence, at the base of the thumb, just as at the elbow, the ligament stabilizing the innermost part of the joint is called the ulnar collateral (UCL). A pitcher who injures the UCL at the elbow is a candidate for Tommy John surgery.
Significant injury to a ligament will permanently diminish stability at the joint it protects. It may preclude high-level participation in sports and is likely to predispose an athlete to re-injury or to other problems such as arthritic changes at the joint.
Other names for the UCL tear of the thumb
Most often called "Skiers' Thumb" these days because of its prevalence on the slopes, this injury used to be known as "Gamekeepers Thumb" because it was commonly found amongst Scottish Gamekeepers (wildlife managers) as a result of a repetitive stress and stretch to the ligament that they suffered when doing their work.
How does this injury occur?
A force that pulls the thumb away from the hand places stress on the UCL at the joint where the thumb meets the palm. If the force at this joint (also called the MCP, or metacarpophalangeal joint) is traumatic and causes the joint to exceed its normal limit of movement, the UCL is sprained. And, as for any ligament, a Grade III Sprain is really a complete tear.
A skier who falls while holding the pole, or anyone who tries to break a fall by reaching out with his hand to absorb the impact may suffer a Skiers' Thumb injury. If the thumb is bent backwards and a ligament tears, it is unlikely to be able to heal in the anatomical position because of the resultant instability of the joint. That is why KRod is having surgery. Occasionally, just as was previously discussed with regard to ligament injuries at the inner aspect of the ankle, the UCL ligament may not tear but instead might pull off a chip of bone at its point of attachment (at the base of the thumb). This injury is called an avulsion fracture and it too can result in instability at the joint if not corrected surgically.
So, what did KRod's thumb probably feel like after the injury?
Just as after any partial or complete ligament tear, fluid builds up causing swelling. Visible discoloration is an indication that a ligament (or other vascularized structure like muscle or tendon) was torn. Naturally, pain is a factor and it will hurt to use the thumb (to grip or squeeze), to bend it backward or to move it away from the palm. KRod will be out of commission for at least six to nine weeks to heal and rehab following his surgery. With no reason to rush things at this point, the process will likely take even longer. By all reports, the Mets are already moving on and are trying to figure out how to avoid having to pay out on the remainder of KRod's contract. Sounds like a plan.
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Abby Sims is an orthopedic and sports physical therapist who has been in private practice in NYC for the past 30 years (you may be familiar with her husband, sportscaster & WFAN alum Dave Sims). Abby has a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from Duke University and has extensive experience working with professional, collegiate and recreational athletes with musculoskeletal injuries – both non-operative and operative. She has also enjoyed lecturing at many medical conferences. Abby looks forward to responding to your questions or writing about topics that you suggest. For more information about Abby, or her practice, please check out www.RecoveryPT.com as well as www.AthletiSense.com.
