| Gamekeeper's thumb | |
|---|---|
| Other names | UCL tear |
 | |
| Avulsion fractures of the ulnar base of the proximal phalanx of the thumb ( Gamekeeper's fracture ) | |
| Specialty | Hand surgery, orthopedics |
Gamekeeper's thumb (also known as skier's thumb or UCL tear) is a type of injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the thumb. The UCL may be merely stretched, or it may be torn from its insertion site into the proximal phalanx of the thumb.[1] This condition is commonly observed among gamekeepers and Scottish fowl hunters, as well as athletes (such as volleyballers and soccer goalkeepers). It also occurs among people who sustain a fall onto an outstretched hand while holding a rod, frequently skiers grasping ski poles.[2]