Los Angeles Hand Surgeon

 Avosant
  
Home
About us
Our Services
Testimonials
Appointments
Contact us
 
Learn More
Animal and Human Bites
Arthritis at Base of Thumb
Brachial Plexus Injury
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Congenital Hand Differences
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
De Quervain's Tendonitis
Dupuytren's Disease
Extensor Tendon Injuries
Fireworks Accident
Flexor Tendon Injuries
Ganglion Cysts
Hand Fractures
Hand Infections
Kienböck's Disease
Nail Bed Injuries
Nerve Injuries of the Hand
Osteoarthritis of the Hand
Prosthetics and Amputation
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Replantation
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Scaphoid Fractures
Scaphoid Non-Union
Tendon Transfer Surgery
Tennis Elbow
Thumb Sprains
Trigger Finger
Vascular Disorders
Wrist Arthroscopy
Wrist Fractures
Wrist Sprains


Diagnosis Model
Hand Diagnosis Model

Appointments

Call our offices at:
(310) 274-3481
(800) 964-0404

Beverly Hills
9301 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 406A
Beverly Hills, California 90210

Insurance
 
INSURANCE & WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACCEPTED!
We accept most types of insurance providers and specialize in the treatment of workers' compensation injuries to the hand and upper extremity.





Thumb Sprains


Causes of Thumb Sprains
Common Causes
Diagnosis & Treatment
Explanation of the Injury
Concerns of a Sprained Thumb

While a bone can fracture or break, a sprain results from an injured ligament. Ligaments connect bones across joints.

Thumb Sprains


Causes of Thumb Sprains
Thumb sprains occur the thumb is jammed and bent in an unnatural, extreme position. For example, many individuals sprain their thumbs when they hit against another player, the ground, or ball during a sporting event. After the injury, the thumb will usually swell, show signs of bruising, and hurt when it is moved.

Back to the Top


Common Causes
The ligament most often injured is the ulnar collateral ligament. Because that ligament is often injured in skiing accidents, the injury is sometimes referred to as "skier's thumb." The injury often results when a skier falls and the pole bends the thumb back unnaturally.

The ligament can also be injured if the thumb is jammed into the ground during a fall, or into another player or ball during athletic activities. Although it isn't injured as often, the radial collateral ligament is also subject to injury.

Back to the Top


Diagnosis & Treatment
An x-ray will usually be taken to determine whether any bones have broken. Your hand surgeon will also examine your thumb to see if the ligament is torn. A cast or splint will be used to hold the ligament in place so as to facilitate healing if it was partially torn, or if the radial collateral ligaments were injured.

If the ulnar collateral ligament was completely torn, the torn end usually ends up stuck behind a tendon. Tears to that ligament usually require surgery, and what remains of the ligament may need to be reconstructed.

Back to the Top


Explanation of the Injury
When an old injury lasts for several weeks, it's referred to as chronic. These conditions usually result in pain, especially when utilized for pinching purposes, and the thumb joint may be unstable and weak in strength. Such injuries can be treated by having the ligaments surgically reconstructed, or by fusing the joint if arthritis has developed.

Back to the Top


Concerns of a Sprained Thumb
Whenever the thumb has been jammed hard enough to injure a ligament, the possibility of a broken bone is a real concern. To fix a fracture, your hand surgeon may use metal screws, pins, or plates to hold the fractured bone together and this may require a separate surgery. X-rays won't show any damage to the cartilage, which may cause arthritis. Surgery or injections of cortisone to treat that condition may be needed at a later time.

Back to the Top



 
 

 
We serve the following cities within Los Angeles, which are in close proximity to our offices:
Agoura Hills, Brentwood, Canoga Park, Century City, Chatsworth, Culver City, Glendale, Granada Hills, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Marina Del Rey, North Hollywood, Northridge, Rancho Park, Reseda, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Tarzana, Valencia, Van Nuys, West Hills, West Hollywood, West L.A., Winnetka, Woodland Hills