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
Update: my first time in the pool was 2 weeks after that cast came of. After 5 or 6 strokes, it was obvious that that was too soon. I finished the 50, and then grabbed a kick-board.
10 days after that, I swam 300 yards. It felt great. But I decided it was best to quite while ahead. I grabbed the board. I ended up kicking 400 and then another 600 w/ fins. I think it's been two decades since I've done that much kicking. Ouch.
Update: my first time in the pool was 2 weeks after that cast came of. After 5 or 6 strokes, it was obvious that that was too soon. I finished the 50, and then grabbed a kick-board.
10 days after that, I swam 300 yards. It felt great. But I decided it was best to quite while ahead. I grabbed the board. I ended up kicking 400 and then another 600 w/ fins. I think it's been two decades since I've done that much kicking. Ouch.
