sore thumb joint - older skiers

Got a question for older ( 50 + ) skiers like myself. Is a
weak,sore,aching joint at the base of the thumb a common problem with
older xc-skiers? I have had this condition in my left thumb for several
years now and have been receiving ultrasound & massage treatments.
These help, but don't clear up the condition completely. I'm told there
is scar tissue in the muscle and some arthritis in the joint.
I had attributed this to many years of mountain biking with Shimano
Rapid Fire shifters. It got so bad I could no longer shift the chain
ring trigger without considerable pain and discomfort. I switched the
bike to SRAM grip shift to avoid aggravating this condition.
However the Chiropractor that is treating me says it may be "skier's
thumb" - a common condition caused by continual hyperextension of the
thumb joint. I am not aware of any hyperextension in Classic or Skate
technique. I wonder if he is refering to something in Alpine skiing?.
But I do notice after 2 hrs of skiing classic today, that my left thumb
joint is more achy this evening than normal. Anyone else have
experience and or opinions on this condition?
Thanks,

Stephen Maturin wrote:
Got a question for older ( 50 + ) skiers like myself. Is a
weak,sore,aching joint at the base of the thumb a common problem with
older xc-skiers? I have had this condition in my left thumb for several
years now and have been receiving ultrasound & massage treatments.
These help, but don't clear up the condition completely. I'm told there
is scar tissue in the muscle and some arthritis in the joint.
I had attributed this to many years of mountain biking with Shimano
Rapid Fire shifters. It got so bad I could no longer shift the chain
ring trigger without considerable pain and discomfort. I switched the
bike to SRAM grip shift to avoid aggravating this condition.
However the Chiropractor that is treating me says it may be "skier's
thumb" - a common condition caused by continual hyperextension of the
thumb joint. I am not aware of any hyperextension in Classic or Skate
technique. I wonder if he is refering to something in Alpine skiing?.
But I do notice after 2 hrs of skiing classic today, that my left thumb
joint is more achy this evening than normal. Anyone else have
experience and or opinions on this condition?
Thanks,

If I remember right, Skiers Thumb is from taking a fall and having the
pole hyperextend the thumb. My joints tend to be not so good and I
haven't had any thumb issues yet (skiing 5 yrs only though, but a lot!)
I did use to have a chronic wrist problem (for a couple years), turned
out it was from doing pushups with the palms flat. I switched to doing
pushups with a fist and the problem went away. You might look for
something similar in your thumb.
gr

I suggest finding the best hand specialist who knows something about
skiing in your area. I don't know whether or not this particular
ailment can be solved with PT and stretching, but I wouldn't be
surprised. It helped resolve my trigger finger and similar wrist
tedonitis problems.

Gene


"Stephen Maturin" wrote:

Got a question for older ( 50 + ) skiers like myself. Is a
weak,sore,aching joint at the base of the thumb a common problem
with older xc-skiers? I have had this condition in my left thumb for
several years now and have been receiving ultrasound & massage
treatments. These help, but don't clear up the condition completely.
I'm told there is scar tissue in the muscle and some arthritis in the
joint. I had attributed this to many years of mountain biking with
Shimano Rapid Fire shifters. It got so bad I could no longer shift
the chain ring trigger without considerable pain and discomfort. I
switched the bike to SRAM grip shift to avoid aggravating this
condition. However the Chiropractor that is treating me says it may
be "skier's thumb" - a common condition caused by continual
hyperextension of the thumb joint. I am not aware of any
hyperextension in Classic or Skate technique. I wonder if he is
refering to something in Alpine skiing?. But I do notice after 2 hrs
of skiing classic today, that my left thumb joint is more achy this
evening than normal. Anyone else have experience and or opinions on
this condition? Thanks,

I agree with Gene - get to a sub-specialist if you can.

Thumb issues can be caused by the type of thing you described. Also, a
very common one is using a thumb-controlled computer trackball type
mouse.

Also, like gr said, my impression that the term "skiers thumb" refers
to the crash injury. BTDT in SPADES - I crashed on an icy corner
several years ago and hyperextended both of my thumbs. I almost cried
and passed out from pain, skiing back with both hands held tight to my
chest. I could soon ski and use the thumbs OK, but they had nagging
pain for at least a year and even now I think they still hurt a tiny
bit on occasion..

I dont' know if you've tried it, but for my other lingering joint
issues, when they flare up, I do a week or 10 day course of a once a
day NSAID. I use a once per day, because in my experience keeping a
therapeudic blood level constantly during the time is critical. With
three/day or even two/day NSAIDs, there's much more of a chance of
missing a dose and therefore getting fluxuations. With once per day,
it's almost impossible to miss a dose for more than a couple of hours
before you remember it. I dont' have to do this much at all, at the
most once every year or so.

You might try a 'script for a once a day NSAID from your ortho doc and
see if that does the trick after a week or so.

PS: you're seeing a Chriopractor for a nagging thumb injury? I'd see
an MD or DO that specializes in orthopedics, preferably the hand, for
something like that.

I'm 56 and no, I haven't had thumb problems. My knees don't work so
well but my thumbs are OK.

My orthopod/skier friend convinced me that I should always take the
straps off when going down hill. Saves the fingers etc right up to the
shoulder.

Jeff

Stephen Maturin wrote:
Got a question for older ( 50 + ) skiers like myself. Is a
weak,sore,aching joint at the base of the thumb a common problem with
older xc-skiers? I have had this condition in my left thumb for several
years now and have been receiving ultrasound & massage treatments.
These help, but don't clear up the condition completely. I'm told there
is scar tissue in the muscle and some arthritis in the joint.
I had attributed this to many years of mountain biking with Shimano
Rapid Fire shifters. It got so bad I could no longer shift the chain
ring trigger without considerable pain and discomfort. I switched the
bike to SRAM grip shift to avoid aggravating this condition.
However the Chiropractor that is treating me says it may be "skier's
thumb" - a common condition caused by continual hyperextension of the
thumb joint. I am not aware of any hyperextension in Classic or Skate
technique. I wonder if he is refering to something in Alpine skiing?.
But I do notice after 2 hrs of skiing classic today, that my left thumb
joint is more achy this evening than normal. Anyone else have
experience and or opinions on this condition?
Thanks,

Stephen Maturin wrote:
Got a question for older ( 50 + ) skiers like myself. Is a
weak,sore,aching joint at the base of the thumb a common problem with
older xc-skiers? I have had this condition in my left thumb for several
years now and have been receiving ultrasound & massage treatments.
These help, but don't clear up the condition completely. I'm told there
is scar tissue in the muscle and some arthritis in the joint.
I had attributed this to many years of mountain biking with Shimano
Rapid Fire shifters.

I've got exactly the same problem in both thumbs. But I also have the problem
in my big toe joints too, that roll over on the back swing hurts.
In my case its definitely mild arthritis. I have the same thumb pain when
trying to open a screw top jar and squeeze the thumb whilst turning.
Its weak its sore and it aches for ages after an incident.
My GP said I should live with it, I'm older than you, and said I should take paracetamol if the pain persists.
Not much help to you tho.
Mike

gr wrote:
If I remember right, Skiers Thumb is from taking a fall and having the
pole hyperextend the thumb.

Same damage is caused by a kickback by the steering wheel when the thumb
is inside the rim when driving on a deeply rutted track. Ouch.

Chiropractors aren't just for backs, but are rather muscle and joint
specialists. Full disclosure, my wife is a chiro and as a side note
has a colleague who specializes in the treatment of professional
musicians' injuries, particularly of the hand, arm, shoulder. Not
surprisingly musicians seem to be injured almost, if not more than
athletes.

SkiFit is correct. Chiropractors are very knowledgeable about the
complete body structure, not just skeletal but muscles & joints. At
least on par with Physiotherapists. Especially if you can find one who
has a lot of experience with sports injuries, they are an ideal choice.
Most also have ultrasound equipment, which they use to stimulate blood
flow and promote healing.