title: Thumb Injuries in Athletes.
abstract: Thumb injuries are common in athletes and present a challenging opportunity for upper extremity physicians. Common injuries include metacarpal base fractures (Bennett and Rolando types), ulnar and radial collateral ligament injuries, dislocation of the carpometacarpal and metacarpophalangeal joints, and phalanx fractures. This review, although not exhaustive, highlights some of the most common thumb injuries in athletes. The treating physician must balance pressure from athletes, parents, coaches, and executives to expedite return to play with the long-term well-being of the athlete. Operative treatment may expedite return to play; however, one must carefully weigh the added risks involved with surgical intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Pittsburgh, Suite 911, Kaufmann Building, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Tiffany R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Kadow
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Pittsburgh, Suite 911, Kaufmann Building, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. Electronic address: fowlerjr@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Fowler
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D017885:Collateral Ligaments / Q000293:injuries*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000293:injuries; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D013933:Thumb / Q000293:injuries*
keywords: Bennett; Phalanx fracture; Rolando; Thumb; Ulnar collateral ligament