PSB THUMB BRACE

The thumb brace is designed to prevent injury to the thumb by backward or sideward movement. A common injury in skiing, these sports braces are also useful in ball sports e.g. rugby, basketball, etc. Measure under the knuckles and choose left or right.

About THUMB injuries

Athletes regularly suffer thumb injuries. They are usually caused by a fall, stumble or a collision. When this occurs the thumb is suddenly pushed sideways or backwards to an excessive extent. An abrupt movement away from the index finger may cause a tear in the capsule enclosing the thumb joint.

Most people retain chronic symptoms as a result of this injury as a consequence of the permanent over extension of the important medial ligament at the base of the thumb. In addition to pain and swelling on the inner side of the thumb, the most characteristic symptom of this injury is instability.

Even the act involved in holding a pen is sometimes painful and this indicates that the consequences of this injury are often felt even in minor daily activities.

This thumb injury is most frequently encountered in skiers and it has even been given the nickname 'skier's thumb'. However, we also see this injury regularly in keepers and players in ball games that involve catching the ball (with a thumb firmly behind the ball), like handball, net ball and basket ball.

A frequently chosen form of therapy involves taping the joint or putting it into a plaster cast. Sometimes an operation may be necessary before a start can be made on recovery. Most therapeutic exercises are aimed at recovering the muscle power in the major thumb muscles. Specific power training can be necessary to regain clenching power and grip in a bid to limit instability.

However, this appears to be inadequate for sports in view of the extensive movements in the thumb, which cannot be compensated by muscular development alone. A tape bandage can be used to protect the joint from repeat injuries during sporting activities.

This involves using the finger is as a sort of splint (body splinting). A simpler, effective method of providing support is achieved using the PSB thumb brace.

When to use a PSB THUMB brace

In the case of a skiers thumb we see residual instability (over extension) as the result of injury to the inner side of the thumb joint. The brace has been specifically developed to support this joint at the base of the thumb (also called MCP I).