Sports Medicine
A Crucial Period
Good Pain, Bad Pain
On Your Knees
Secondary Injuries
Imaging Technology
What's Sciatica?
The Female Athlete
Putting Your Feet First
Itis Schmitis
Too Much, Too Soon
Under the Influence
Twisted
What's Goin' On?
Think Inches, Not Pounds
Preventing Vaginitis
That Painful Pull
Athlete's Heart
Exercise & Arthritis
Chilled to the Bone
Measuring Body Fat
Exercise and Your Breasts
Choosing a Sports Doctor
Lean on Me (Shoulder)
Exercise & Anemia
Exercise Abuse
Pelvis Sighting
Hand Aid
It's All in the Wrist
Back in Action
Altitude Adjustment
Tennis Elbow, Anyone?
Exercising in the Heat
Agony of the Feet
Restless Legs
Night Time Cramps
Birth Control Concerns
No Periods, No Babies?
Post Partum Prescription
Weight Loss Mystery
Undesirable Cooldown
To Brew Or Not To Brew
Fitness After Baby
Biking and Back Pain
Swimmer's Shoulder
A Hidden Athlete
Avoiding Osteoporosis
Drug Testing
Maximum Heart Rate
Headway Against Headaches
Torn Rotator Cuff
Fat Figures
SOS About PMS
Bloody Urine
Sag Story
Lackluster Leg
Bothersome Bulge
Gaining in Years
Taking It On the Shin
Aching Ankles
Hoop Help
Tender Toes
Meals For Muscle
Growing Pains
Hot Tips
High Altitude PMS
Personal Bests
Air Pollution
Ankle Blues
Heartbreak Heel
Yeast Relief



Hand Aid

Continued...

Skier's Thumb

Another serious hand injury, most common in winter, is called skier's thumb. This occurs when the thumb is caught in the loop of the ski pole during a fall and is forcibly pulled away from the first finger.

This can rupture the ulnar collateral ligament, which stabilizes the thumb during any pinching motion. If you think it is no big deal, try signing your name without using your thumb.

With this injury, pain is felt along the inside of the thumb, and quite a lot of swelling appears rapidly. Ice the thumb immediately (snow is usually convenient), protect the thumb from further injury, and quickly seek care.

This is a serious injury that needs evaluation in the first day or two. X-rays may look normal if the bone isn't damaged, but the injury may require casting or surgery to repair. Any delay in treatment only makes recovery more difficult.

If you don't get a thumb or finger injury treated early, you may permanently lose range of motion. A jammed knuckle that is not allowed to heal and continues to be reinjured is guaranteed to come back and haunt you - if the damage ever goes away in the first place.

A jammed finger with a torn tendon or ligament must be treated with surgery or the correct splint in the first few days, or the finger or thumb may be permanently deformed. Some of these splints must be worn 24 hours a day for successful healing to occur. if your tendon or ligament is torn, you will not be able to fully extend or flex the finger.

The standard treatment of R.I.C.E. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) applies to hand and finger injuries as well as any other. Use ice frequently-every two hours while awake - for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Anti-inflammatory medication can decrease the pain.

What shoulld you do if you want to continue playing with a hurt finger?

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Table of Contents

Foreword: Billie Jean King

Comments by Barb Harris
Editor in Chief,
Shape Magazine



General Health
Nutrition
Exercise
Common Medical Problems
Dental Health
Emergency!
Infectious Disease
Sexual Health
Emotional Well-Being
Eating Disorders
Alcohol & Other Drugs
Environmental Health
Prevention


The information in this web site is for educational purposes only and is not providing medical or professional advice. It should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. If you have or suspect you might have any health problems, you should consult a physician.


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