Gamekeeper’s Thumb and Skier’s Thumb are common names for an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb. The ulnar collateral ligament is a ligament on the inside of your thumb that helps with grip strength.
Injuries to this ligament occur when the thumb gets bent too far backward and the ligament is sprained or fractured. Many times this happens in “stick” sports like hockey and lacrosse.
Your child may have this injury if they have pain, swelling, and bruising at the base of their thumb, weak grip, catching or popping in their thumb, or if they cannot move their thumb. Ice and rest are a good first step in treating this injury.
If symptoms persist after a few days, or your child is unable to do everyday tasks like turning a doorknob or drinking from a cup, you should call the doctor.