After a fun weekend of SUP surfing late on Sunday I got wiped out after getting closed out . I didn't realise it at the time but I managed to fracture my right thumb.

"Oblique undisplaced fracture traversing the base of the proximal shaft of the distal phalanx of thumb"

After several opinions I managed to convince specialists to not get a full cast up to my elbow . I ended up getting a splint. I will be out of action for about 6 weeks provided follow up X-rays don't show up further damage . There is potentially a second undisplaced fracture .

I am pretty sure the paddle must have jammed against my board and my lower hand thumb got slammed in between.
This has made me think about alternate less risky way to grab paddle. Has anyone tried holding paddle with thumb on same side

That description of your fracture has got me all hot and sweaty :-)

Yeah I was hot and sweaty too. Looks like I will have to use my left for relief

Change is good as a holiday

Look on the bright side, you still have 2 thumbs!

Look s. painful .. It's a sport injury ...athletes get them .

but I'd just thought I'd tell you the surfs pumping ..

Thanks Tardy .
Well I rarely go out in anything bigger than 3 foot so it doesn't matter. I'm a **** swimmer.

The life and times of a SUP hack.

My biggest problem is going cold turkey

I am seriously considering trialing a new bottom hand grip where the thumb holds the paddle on the same side as the fingers . The standard way of holding the paddle with bottom hand really places the thumb in a high risk position

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Gboots said..

I am seriously considering trialing a new bottom hand grip where the thumb holds the paddle on the same side as the fingers .

Thumb injuries aside this is a good technique to try anyway. You don't need your lower hand working hard - by not grasping the paddle shaft with thumb involved (just let it sit in the crook of your four fingers) you don't get the 'death grip' happening - lets the paddle track as it should and reduces hand/wrist/arm/shoulder fatigue, with less chance of a repetitive strain injury.

16 days on, thumb is still in a splint (new one just covering thumb).
Still some pain but I am fortunate that I can still manage day to day.

In terms of getting back into SUP it will probably be at least another 3-4 weeks before I can SUP and only on flat water.
Getting back into the surf will be a confidence issue (i.e fear of re-breaking a weakened bone).

Has anyone else had experience with fractures and rehabilitation ?
I have also considered wearing something over the thumb whilst SUPing that may cushion against future impacts / falls.
Possibly a glove or even just a thumb splint ?

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Gboots said..
16 days on, thumb is still in a splint (new one just covering thumb).
Still some pain but I am fortunate that I can still manage day to day.

In terms of getting back into SUP it will probably be at least another 3-4 weeks before I can SUP and only on flat water.
Getting back into the surf will be a confidence issue (i.e fear of re-breaking a weakened bone).

Has anyone else had experience with fractures and rehabilitation ?
I have also considered wearing something over the thumb whilst SUPing that may cushion against future impacts / falls.
Possibly a glove or even just a thumb splint ?

bone will be stronger in the spot that's healed (provided it's healed well) as a bony 'callous' forms - therefore people actualy re break above or below the first injury (usually...) little fun fact. You could look into getting a thumb spica splint / brace to help with the confidence. Likely you'll come out of this splint fairly stiff in the wrist and MCP joint (thumb to hand joint) - so once you're out the best thing is to get some play dough and literally play. Pinch, sausages, roll, knead etc etc to rebuild some find motor strength

Thanks Carter.

The current splint allows me considerable movement so I am fortunate

My break is in the distal phalanx so I will need a spica splint that goes to top of thumb

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Gboots said..
Thanks Carter.

The current splint allows me considerable movement so I am fortunate

My break is in the distal phalanx so I will need a spica splint that goes to top of thumb

Stop talking dirty :-)

Put some rail tape on your mouth smash ....

You must be healing boots!
Good to hear

Thanks Creek. I am going cold turkey

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Gboots said..
Put some rail tape on your mouth smash ....