Sledding w/ "Skiers Thumb"

[DallanC]

Does anyone here have "skiers thumb"? If you do know what that is, its a condition where ligaments have been torn due to skiiing related injurys, link showing this below.

http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/orthopaedics/skier.cfm

Anyway I have it pretty severely in both thumbs, to the point if I push hard with either thumb on an object, I can actually dislocate the joint. Hurts like a SOB but it always pops back in.

With regards to sledding, this means I also have very weak thumbs and they begin to ache quickly when using the throttle. Also when I get in the whoops or a jump, I've had problems with the bars being ripped out of my grip... that I can mange being a more careful rider but the thumb fatigue on the throttle is alot worse due to the pain.

Anyone know of any solutions besides expensive and painful surgery? thumb braces perhaps?


-DallanC

 

[seized_up]

RU Outside used to make a brace called the "Thumb Thing." I am not sure if they still make it but it worked quite well. It was kind of a neoprene brace with straps and velcro.


I should have just done this in the first place.

http://www.ruoutside.com/thumbthing-imp.html

 

[meyz]

would a twist throttle instead of the thumb help you?

 

[coyoteman]

put on a lefty, to ease the thumb every now and then.

 

[DallanC]

RU Outside used to make a brace called the "Thumb Thing." I am not sure if they still make it but it worked quite well. It was kind of a neoprene brace with straps and velcro.


I should have just done this in the first place.

http://www.ruoutside.com/thumbthing-imp.html

Thanks, thats indeed something to try out!

put on a lefty, to ease the thumb every now and then.

Ah, that wouldnt help... both thumbs are torn up really bad. Generally it only bothers me when working with screwdrivers, snowmobiling etc etc. Oddly I never feel pain when using an ATV.


-DallanC

 

[auggie11]

On a lefty you don't use your thumb, the gold finger model you just use your index finger to pull the throttle, gravity worx or some of the other brands you can use more than one finger. I would look into a twist throttle if you don't do a whole lot of boondocking, or extreme stuff that you may not always be able to get a good hold on the throttle.

 

[dinlaroche]

Answer to your problem

A guy I used to ride with flipped his throttle around so he was using his index finger to pull it. I jumped on his sled a couple of times and it was odd because i wasn't used to it, but he didn't seem to have any problems with it...

 

[Clarke673]

A guy I used to ride with flipped his throttle around so he was using his index finger to pull it. I jumped on his sled a couple of times and it was odd because i wasn't used to it, but he didn't seem to have any problems with it...

If you take off really fast and start to fall off the sled you can't let off the throttle or else you will fall off. Puts you in a bad position. Thats the same reason why we don't use twist throttles.

I my self broke my thumb around this time and i was on a sled in mid December again. Some things i did was tape my thumb strait out so i used my wrist more on the throttle. I also repositioned ti so i could use more of my palm, oil my throttle cables, and sometimes i would just have to take a weekend off. This summer i dislocated it so i am sure it will be a little soar to start off with.

 

[Uller]

Twist the throttle around!

I don't have bad thumbs but I don't like to use my thumb on the throttle for comfort/good grip.

I just loosened the stock throttle and twisted it around. I use my pointer and middle finger to pull the throttle. I was a little weird at first but once I got used to it, I really prefer it.

Reasoning went like this: We were given an opposable thumb for a reason... to provide a good grip on things. Well, if you use your thumb on the throttle you can't grip the R handle bar securely. Now I get real good grip and throttle control.

The other benefit is body position while sidehilling. If you are pulling a left side sidehill you body can't go much past the center of the sled cause you need your right arm at a certain angle to press the throttle. By moving the throttle to the bottom/front of the bars you are pulling with your finger instead of pushing which allows my upper body to move about a foot farther to the left side of the sled than the standard setup and still gives me good throttle control and good grip.

Just my .02.

 

[TIM]

I have had 2 surguries on my right wrist. Pins etc I use the thumb thing and it has helped immensly. However, i will say that my right wrist usually hurts like hell until the climbing areas and than once the throttle is gripped the hurt goes away. The part throttle trail riding really does hurt though. The thumb thing is the only thing i have found to help. Be careful with glove sizing though. The thumb thing does make gloves harder to get on and off.

 

[rotax]

A guy I used to ride with flipped his throttle around so he was using his index finger to pull it. I jumped on his sled a couple of times and it was odd because i wasn't used to it, but he didn't seem to have any problems with it...

there you go, i know a guy who does the same.

should work just fine. after you get used to how to control it.. can't see it being a huge deal to learn.
i like my lefty for when my thumb gets sore when riding in/out on the trail... as my right throttle is turned up/straight for stand up riding, and the bars are to my chest while sitting. >< hah actually i just stand a lot more and feel better all around.

 

[BackCountryBob]

SnoBunje makes a plastic piece--WPS "throttle flare"-- that attaches to your thumb flipper that lets you use your palm. I rotate my flipper so I can use various parts of my thumb/palm and keep the wrench in my bar bag.

BCB