UW Medicine Hand Center
A Passion for Life & Healing

Post-Op Instructions for Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament (Skier’s Thumb) Repair


  • Click to Download Printable Instructions

    • Wound Care

    • After surgery, your hand and wrist will be placed in bulky dressing with a splint. This splint helps protect the repaired ligament and lessens swelling.
    • You must keep the splint clean and dry until you come to the Hand Center for your follow-up visit. This will be 10 to 14 days after surgery.
    • When showering, cover the splint with a plastic bag to keep it dry.
    • Elevate your hand as much as possible to lessen swelling and pain.

    Pain Management

    • You will receive a prescription for narcotic pain medicine. Take this medicine only if you need it.
    • Be sure to talk with the clinic nurse about how to take your pain medicine. To best manage your pain, you must take your pain medicine the way it was prescribed. Taking the correct dose at the right time is very important.
    • If you have uncomfortable side effects from the pain medicine, call the nurse at 206-598-4263.
    • Please see “Medications After Surgery” for more instructions.

    Driving

    • Do not drive if you are taking narcotic pain medicine. It is not safe. The medicine can make you sleepy and delay your reaction time.
    • Once you are no longer taking the medicine, you may drive as soon as you can comfortably grip the steering wheel with both hands.

    Activity

    • You can use your hand for daily tasks such as getting dressed, typing, combing your hair, preparing food, and other light activities.
    • Do not lift anything heavier than a full soda can (about 1 pound or .45 kilogram) until your sutures have been removed.

    Follow-up

    When you leave the surgery center, you should have a follow-up appointment in the Hand Center already set for 10 to 14 days after surgery. At this visit:

    • Your sutures will be removed.
    • We will place your hand either in a custom brace or a cast that includes the thumb. You must wear this for about 4 more weeks.
    • If you are placed in a brace, we will start you on a occupational therapy program where you will learn how to start moving your thumb again.
    • After 3 months, the therapy will focus on increasing strength in your thumb and hand.

    Results

    Most patients who have thumb collateral ligament surgery regain full use of their hand. It is normal for your thumb to be stiff after surgery. This usually improves after doing hand therapy. Most patients regain full strength in their thumb.