DATELINE: Feb. 25, 2012, Hayward Wisconsin.
I took a spill during the Birkiebiner cross-country ski race and tore a tendon in my thumb. I've since learned that this is a somewhat common injury called "skier's thumb". I had surgery to re-attach the tendon to the bone (using a screw), and then I had my hand placed in a cast for four weeks.
Just got the cast off today (finally!). I thought about trying to swim this evening, but came to the conclusion that I'm clearly not strong enough to put even minimal pressure on my thumb yet.
If anybody has experience recovering from a similar injury, I'd really like to hear about your experience. Specifically, at what point does swimming feel good and not painful?
I'm looking forward to getting back in the game.
Thanks,
Kevin LeRoy
Parents
Former Member
Had a similar injury in early December. Mine did not require surgery only a cast for 6 weeks. My thumb was quite weak following cast removal. Try working on thumb mobility outside the pool. On the bright side no stroke that I can think of is the same method of injury. The hand pushing against the water, such as in the catch phase, is actually opposite to the method of injury (in my case at least). Good luck on your recovery and congrats on getting the cast off, that was the biggest step for me!
Had a similar injury in early December. Mine did not require surgery only a cast for 6 weeks. My thumb was quite weak following cast removal. Try working on thumb mobility outside the pool. On the bright side no stroke that I can think of is the same method of injury. The hand pushing against the water, such as in the catch phase, is actually opposite to the method of injury (in my case at least). Good luck on your recovery and congrats on getting the cast off, that was the biggest step for me!
