Gamekeeper's thumb

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Gamekeeper's thumb
ICD-10 S42.2-S42.4
ICD-9 812
eMedicine emerg/199  orthoped/271 orthoped/199

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohammadmain Rezazadehsaatlou[2].

Synonyms and Keywords: Skier's thumb (used in acute cases)

Overview

The Gamekeeper's thumb known as a rupture or avulsion of a ligament of the thumb called ulnar collateral ligament (UCL).

Historical Perspective

In 1955 , Campbell CS, described this problem originated from the Scottish gamekeepers (Also the rabbit keepers as a work-related injury)

Causes

The main etiology of the injuries to the UCL leading to the Gamekeeper's thumb is achronic repetitive valgus stresses load or an acute abducted trauma.

Common causes include: skiing injuries and other sports such as hockey, soccer, handball, basketball, and volleyball.

As a person age, two factors cause higher risk of fractures:

  • Weaker bones
  • Greater risk of falling

Stress fractures as a common causes of fractures can be found due to the repeated stresses and strains. Importantly children having more physically active lifestyles than adults, are also prone to fractures. People with any underlying diseases such as osteoporosis, infection, or a tumor affecting their bones having a higher risk of fractures. As mentioned in previous chapters, this type of fracture is known as a pathological fracture. Stress fractures, which result from repeated stresses and strains, commonly found among professional sports people, are also common causes of fractures.

Life-threatening Causes

Common Causes

Common causes of Gamekeeper's thumb may include:

  • Trauma (Fall on an outstretched hand with abducted thumb )
  • Valgus-producing force on the thumb MCP joint
  • Skiing with poles
  • Other sports (such as: hockey, soccer, handball, basketball, and volleyball)

Less Common Causes

Less common causes of Gamekeeper's thumb include conditions that predisposes to fracture:

Causes by Organ System

Cardiovascular No underlying causes
Chemical/Poisoning No underlying causes
Dental No underlying causes
Dermatologic No underlying causes
Drug Side Effect No underlying causes
Ear Nose Throat No underlying causes
Endocrine No underlying causes
Environmental No underlying causes
Gastroenterologic No underlying causes
Genetic No underlying causes
Hematologic No underlying causes
Iatrogenic No underlying causes
Infectious Disease No underlying causes
Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic Osteoporosis and osteopenia.
Neurologic No underlying causes
Nutritional/Metabolic Osteoporosis and osteopenia.
Obstetric/Gynecologic No underlying causes
Oncologic No underlying causes
Ophthalmologic No underlying causes
Overdose/Toxicity No underlying causes
Psychiatric No underlying causes
Pulmonary No underlying causes
Renal/Electrolyte No underlying causes
Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy No underlying causes
Sexual No underlying causes
Trauma Falling of car accident.
Urologic No underlying causes
Miscellaneous No underlying causes

Causes in Alphabetical Order

List the causes of the disease in alphabetical order:

Pathophysiology

Mechanism

The Gamekeeper's thumb is caused by a falling onto an outstretched arm with an abducted thumb or any types of valgus stress to the trauma affecting the patients hand and specifically the thumb joint. The form and severity of this fracture depends on the position of the hand at the moment of hitting the ground. The width of this mentioned angle affects the localization of the fracture. Since this is more commonly found in skiers with a ski pole in the hand, Because the ski pole in their hands prevents the thumb adduction when they falls. UCL injuries associated with avulsion bone fractures are seen in 20%-30% of UCL ruptures.

Pathophysiology

Its known that the Gamekeeper's thumb in normal healthy adults can be caused due to the high- and/low low-energy trauma, sport related injuries, falling from height with abducted thumb. But it should be noted that the most important Risk factors for insufficiency fractures is chronic metabolic disease such as steoporosis, osteopenia, eating-disordered behavior, higher age, prolonged corticosteroid usage, female gender, lower BMI, history of a recent falling, and prior fracture. The UCL injuries are categorized into 3 sub-grades: Grade I injury known as trauma to a stretched but still intact ligament. Grade II injury known as Partial thickness tear of the ligament. Grade III injury known as a complete rupture of the ligament Most UCL injuries occur at the distal attachment on the proximal phalanx, and associated bony avulsion fractures are seen in 20% to 30% of UCL ruptures. When a grade III sprain occurs, the strong stress force may lead to a retracted proximal end of the UCL, lying superficial to the adductor pollicis aponeurosis. The interposition of the aponeurosis between the ruptured UCL and the proximal phalanx hampers reduction and healing of the torn ligament. This displaced tear, namely the Stener lesion, occurs in 64% to 87% of all grade III injuries.

  • The pattern of bone fracture and severity of injury depends on variety of factors such as:
    • Patients age
    • Patients Weight
    • Patients past medical history specifically any bone diseases affecting the quality of bone (such as osteoporosis, malignancies)
    • Energy of trauma
    • Bone quality
    • Position of the specific organ during the trauma
  • The below-mentioned processes cause decreased bone mass density:

Differentiating Gamekeeper's thumb from other Diseases

In the orthopedic medicine its important to know that the forearm fracture should be evaluated using radiography for both confirming diagnosis and also for evaluating the surrounding tissues. Other injuries such as possible hand fracture-dislocation; radial head or coronoid fractures or lateral collateral ligament injury. If the mechanism of injury suggests particularly low energy then the Osteoporosis should be considered. The pathological Fractures occurring in a bone with a tumor or Paget's disease) are rare but possible.

Also it should be noted that the both bone fractures can be complicated by acute compartment syndrome of the forearm. Signs suggesting compartment syndrome are pain on extension of digits, and marked edema.

As another important fact in orthopedic fracture is if both-bone fractures were found in pediatric which is common after accidental trauma, but it may also be the due to the of child abuse; and in these cases a careful attention and evaluation should be considered if a child abuse is suspected

Differential Diagnoses for the Gamekeeper's thumb:

  • Metacarpophalangeal Joint Dislocation
  • Phalangeal Fractures
  • Skier's Thumb
  • Bennett fracture dislocation
  • Rolando fracture
  • epibasal thumb fracture (pseudo-Bennett fracture dislocation)

Epidemiology and Demographics

The U.S.A data base

It's a common orthopedic injury, with an increasing incidence rate in skiers with no differences in the type of the ski pole. And the related incidence rate is approximately 200,000 patients per year. Also it is consisted as 86% of all injuries to the base of the thumb refereed to the hospitals

The international data base

No apparent differences reported comparing to the US based epidemiology, yet.

Risk Factors

There are different risk factors that presidpose patient for the Gamekeeper's thumb that include:

  • High-risk contact sports
  • Higher age (elderly adults are higher prone to such fractures)
  • Reduced bone density (osteoporosis)
  • Direct blow
  • Road / traffic accidents
  • Falling on an outstretched hand with the forearm pronated
  • Direct trauma to the arm/forearm
  • Taking part in any rough or high-impact sport
  • Street fights, gunshot wounds, and domestic violence, may also cause the Gamekeeper's thumb
  • Road traffic accidents.

Classification

Classification of the Gamekeeper's thumb
Type Features Management
I A non-displaced fracture stable in flexion Typically treated with a splint/cast
II A displaced fracture Typically requires surgical intervention
III A non-fracture stable in flexion Typically treated with a splint/cast
IV A non-fracture un-stable in flexion Typically requires surgical intervention
V A displaced fracture involving the volar plate stable in flexion Typically treated with a splint/cast
VI A displaced fracture involving the volar plate un-stable in flexion Typically requires surgical intervention

Screening

Osteoporosis is an important risk factor for human affecting human bone especially in men with the age of older than 50 years old and postmenopausal and women.

Based on the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) there are three groups of patients need to be screened for the osteoporosis:

  • ·       Men with no history of osteoporosis
  • ·       Women with the age of 65≤ year old, with no previous history of pathological fracture due to the osteoporosis
  • ·       Women with the age of <65 years, with 10-year fracture risk of not less than a 65-year-old white woman (who has not any other risk factor)

Accordingly women older than age of 50 are the main target for the osteoporosis screening. There is no specific recommendation to screen men for the osteoporosis.

The USPSTF recommendations from 2002 included:

Meanwhile, there are two major modalities for the osteoporosis screening:

  1. ·       Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the hip and lumbar spine bones
  2. ·       Quantitative ultrasonography of the calcaneus

*It should be noted of the two above mentioned modalities for screening the ultrasonograhy is preferred to the DXA due to its lower cost, lower ionizing radiation, more availability.

After the primary evaluation of the osteoporosis, the further evaluation are required in some cases such as:

·       Women with normal bone density or mild osteopenia: T-score of greater than −1.50 – should have screening for 15 years.

·       Women with moderate osteopenia: T-score of −1.50 to −1.99 – should have screening for 5 years.

·       Women with advanced osteopenia: T-score of −2.00 to −2.49 - should have screening for 1 year.

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Natural History

In cases with untreated Gamekeeper's thumb the malunion and deformity of arm can be occurred.

Complications

The overall complication rate in the treatment of Gamekeeper's thumb were found in around 40% of cases:

  1. Neurovascular compromise: such as Ulna nerve damage
  2. Compartment syndrome
  3. Chronic disability of the DRUJ
  4. Physeal Injury
  5. Malunion of the radius
  6. Nonunion
  7. Infection
  8. Refracture following plate removal
  9. Posterior interosseois nerve (PIN) injury.
  10. Instability of the DRUJ
  11. Loss of Motion (Stiffness)
  12. Posttraumatic Arthritis
  13. Heterotopic Ossification

Prognosis

The prognosis of the Gamekeeper's thumb is most closely related to the amount of energy and the main direction of the trauma. High-energy injuries leading to a poor outcome due to the comminution, articular surface damage, and extensive soft-tissue injury. But the good prognosis can be found in low-energy injuries with simple fracture patterns and limited soft-tissue involvement which the anatomic restoration of the joint surface and reestablishment are stable, the outcome is routinely good, especially in low-energy injuries with simple fracture patterns and limited soft-tissue involvement.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a Gamekeeper's thumb should be confirmed using a radiographic examination.

History and Symptoms

The related signs and symptoms include:

  • Deformity
  • Skin lacerations
  • Weak pulse
  • Open fractures
  • Bruising
  • Swelling
  • Stiffness
  • Inability to move
  • Pain in touch
  • Loss of function of the forearm
  • Difficulties in detection of pulses
  • Radial nerve damage
  • Pain at base of thumb
  • Swelling at base of thumb
  • Difficulty grabbing objects
  • Difficulty throwing objects
  • Unstable or wobbly thumb at its base
  • Bruising at thumb base

In the physical exam the orthopedic surgeon should check the vascular status and amount of swelling in the forearm. In MULTI-trauma patients or in comatose or obtunded patients a tense compartment with neurological signs or stretch pain should be considered as the compartment syndrome, and the compartment pressures should be measured and monitored. Normally the pain and soft-tissue swelling are found at the injury site (at the wrist joint). This injury should be confirmed using a radiographic evaluations. Also, patients may loss the pinch mechanism between their thumb and their index finger which can be due to the paralysis of the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) and flexor digitorum profundus (FDP).

Physical Examination

The related signs and symptoms include:

  • Edema of the shoulder
    • Most of the time the edema will be a non-pitting edema
    • Depends on the edema extent, it may even lead to compartment syndrome in the anterior and internal compartment of shoulder
  • Bruising
    • As a manifestation of internal injury to the local vessels by trauma or fractures bone
  • Decrease in range of motion
    • Movement of the fractures limb will be painful if possible at all
  • Tenderness
  • Deformity
    • Fractured bone deformity may be touchable in the internal side of the forearm if the fracture is displaced

In the physical exam the orthopedic surgeon should check the vascular status and amount of swelling in the forearm. In polytrauma patients or in comatose or obtunded patients a tense compartment with neurological signs or stretch pain should be considered as the compartment syndrome, and the compartment pressures should be measured and monitored.

Physical examination of patients with Gamekeeper's thumb is usually remarkable for swelling, tenderness, bruises, ecchymosis, deformity and restricted range of motion of the wrist.

Appearance of the Patient

  • Patients with Gamekeeper's thumb usually appears normal unless the patients had a high energy trauma causing the open wound fracture.

Vital Signs

Skin

HEENT

Neck

Lungs

Heart

Abdomen

Back

Genitourinary

Neuromuscular

  • Neuromuscular examination of patients with Gamekeeper's thumb is usually normal
  • However, some patients may develop neuropraxia of the branch of the Ulnar nerve resulting in decreased sensation of thumb, index and middle finger.

Laboratory Findings

There is a limited laboratory tests useful in the diagnosis of bone fractures such as the Gamekeeper's thumb. Meanwhile, aged men and women may have some abnormalities in their laboratory findings suggestive of osteoporosis.

Laboratory tests for the diagnosis of osteoporosis are:

  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Serum total calcium level
  • Serum Ionized calcium level
  • Serum phosphate level
  • Serum alkaline phosphatase level
  • Serum 25-(OH)-vitamin D level

X Ray

The orthopedic surgeon should consider to have at least two radiographic projections (ie, anteroposterior [AP] and lateral) of the forearm. These show the fracture, the extent of displacement, and the extent of comminution. The orthopedic surgeon should pay serious attention toward finding any foreign bodies in open fractures and gunshot injuries. Also imperative is to include the elbow and wrist joint in the radiographs of Gamekeeper's thumb to ensure that the wrist joint injuries are not missed.

CT

  • CT-scan in the case of the Gamekeeper's thumb is the best modality if you can not have an exclusive diagnosis by X-ray itself can not be made.

MRI

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an expensive technique that is increasingly used to asses x-ray evaluations of the injuries to the ulnar collateral or to attempt to identify a Stener lesion.
  • MRI is a powerful diagnostic tool to assess the abnormalities of the bone, ligaments and soft tissues associated with the Gamekeeper's thumb, but it is known as a limited utility in radioulnar injuries and is not indicated in uncomplicated forearm fractures.
  • Meanwhile, the MRI can be useful in in following mentioned evaluations:
  • Evaluation of occult fractures
  • Evaluation of the post-traumatic or avascular necrosis of carpal bones
  • Evaluation of tendons
  • Evaluation of nerve
  • Evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Evaluation of bone marrow edema
  • Evaluation of bone marrow fracture
  • Evaluation of Stener lesion
  • Evaluation of discontinuity of the ligament +/- joint capsule

Other Imaging Findings

Ultrasound

Ultrasonography is a usefull diagnostice method in identifying both tear existence and also detection of the Stener lesion.

Other Diagnostic Studies

There are no other Diagnostic studies associated with Gamekeeper's thumb

Treatment

Immediate stabilization of patients is the first step. Then the radial fracture and the DRUJ stabilization is recommended in these cases. Open forearm fractures considered as a surgical emergency. Gamekeeper's thumb occurs in younger patients who are skeletally immature; the normally they treated using a closed reduction and casting. Since closed reduction and cast application have led to unsatisfactory results. Then, Almost always the open reduction are necessary for the Gamekeeper's thumb. There are controversies regarding the indications for intramedullary nailing of forearm fractures.

Non-Operative Treatment

  • The first step in managing a patient with a fracture is to stabilize the patient if he/she is unstable due to blood loss, etc by giving them intravenous fluids and giving them some painkillers if the pain is severe.
  • In children, the usual plan is to attempt closed reduction followed by cast immobilization. In adults, treatment with immobilization in a molded long arm cast can be used in those rare occasions of a non-displaced fracture of both bones of the forearm. If the fracture shifts in position, it may require surgery to put the bones back together.
  • Rigid immobilization is suggested in preference to removable splints in nonoperative treatment for the management of the Gamekeeper's thumb
  • For all patients with Gamekeeper's thumb, a post-reduction true lateral radiograph is suggested .
  • Operative fixation is suggested in preference to cast fixation for fractures with post-reduction radial shortening greater than 3 mm, dorsal tilt greater than 10º, or intra-articular displacement or step-off greater than 2 mm.
  • Patients probably do not need to begin early wrist motion routinely after stable fracture fixation.
  • Adjuvant treatment of Gamekeeper's thumb with vitamin C is suggested for the prevention of disproportionate pain
  • Ice to reduce swelling
  • Acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce pain
  • Splint or cast

Complications of Non-surgical therapy

Failure of non-surgical therapy is common:

  • Re-displacement to its original position even in a cast
  • Stiffness
  • Post traumatic osteoarthritis leading to wrist pain and loss of function
  • Other risks specific to cast treatment include:

Surgery

Returning to the normal physical activity after Gamekeeper's thumbcan take weeks to months of therapy under supervision an orthopedist. Meanwhile, a physiotherapy can be helpful for patient to achieve the normal wrist and elbow function caused by the immobilisation. All adult Gamekeeper's thumb should be considered to be treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF).

External fixation: For severe open fractures Open reduction and internal fixation: For Gamekeeper's thumb which depending on each patients condition the following may be needed:

Ulnar nerve placement Bone grafting Osteotomy Arthrodesis

Operation

  • There are a variety of methods and implants useful to stabilize the Gamekeeper's thumb, ranging from closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation to the use of intra-medullary devices.
  • However, the most common fixation methods to treat complex Gamekeeper's thumb include external fixation, and open reduction and internal fixation.

External Fixation With or Without Percutaneous Pin Fixation

  • Wrist spanning external fixation employs ligamentotaxis to restore and maintain length, alignment, and rotation of thumb bone.
  • Reduction is typically obtained through closed or minimally open methods and preserves the fracture biology.
  • The addition of percutaneous pins enhances the ability to reduce and stabilize fracture fragments.

Complications of External Fixation

Open reduction and internal fixation with plates and screws

  • This is the most common type of surgical repair for Gamekeeper's thumb
  • During this type of procedure, the bone fragments are first repositioned (reduced) into their normal alignment.
  • The bones held together with special screws and metal plates attached to the outer surface of the bone.

Complications of open reduction and internal fixation with plates and screws =

  • Infection
  • Damage to nerves and blood vessels
  • Synostosis
  • Nonunion

Pain Management

Pain after an injury or surgery is a natural part of the healing process.

Medications are often prescribed for short-term pain relief after surgery or an injurysuch as:

  • opioids
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • local anesthetics

Be aware that although opioids help relieve pain after surgery or an injury, they are a narcotic and can be addictive.  It is important to use opioids only as directed by doctor.

Interventions

The following options can be helpful for patients to rehabilitate after their fracture :

  • Joints mobilization
  • compression bandage
  • Soft tissue massage
  • Exercises and Activity modification
  • Forearm taping
  • Forearm bracing

Postoperative Rehabilitation

  • Complex Gamekeeper's thumb warrant individualized immobilization and rehabilitation strategies.
  • Similarly, the addition of a thumb spica cast or orthosis with positioning of the wrist in slight ulnar deviation for management of a comminuted radial column fracture may prevent loss of reduction. *Because most multifragmentary Gamekeeper's thumb are the result of high-energy injuries, a prolonged period of wrist immobilization and soft-tissue rest may be beneficial and has not been shown to affect clinical outcomes.
  • The wrist is typically immobilized for 2 weeks post-operatively in a sugar tong splint with neutral forearm rotation.
  • At 6 weeks post-operatively, the wrist is placed into a removable orthosis, and active and passive range of motion (ROM) is initiated.
  • Full weight bearing commences at approximately 3 months post-operatively after consolidation of the fracture is noted on radiographs.
  • The presence of varying degrees of hand, wrist, and elbow stiffness is inevitable and may result from poor pain control, lack of effort in controlled mobilization, edema, concomitant ipsilateral upper extremity fractures, or peripheral nerve injuries.
  • Early stretching and mobilization of the intrinsic and extrinsic tendons of the hand is important to prevent finger stiffness.
  • Edema control can be initiated with compression gloves, digital massage, and active and passive ROM of the hand.
  • A home exercise program or outpatient occupational therapy is started immediately post-operatively to maintain full range of motion of the hand and limit the development of intrinsic muscle tightness

Primary Prevention

There are various preventive options to reduce the incidence of the Gamekeeper's thumb

  1. Using forearm and wrist guards during practicing sports (skating, biking)
  2. Using forearm and wrist guards during driving motorbikes
  3. Avoid falls in elderly individuals
  4. Prevention and/or treatment of osteoporosis
  5. Healthy diet

Secondary Prevention

It should be noted that the Post-menopausal women specially older than the age of 65 are at the higher risk of osteoporosis consequently these type of patients at greater risk for the pathological fractures .

So the Calcium and vitamin D supplementation play important role in increasing the bone mineral density (BMD) consequently decrease the risk of fracture in these type of patients. Also, avoiding excessive alcohol and quitting smoking play important role in this regard.

Detecting osteoporosis

Pharmacological therapy

Life style modifications

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See also

References

External links

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