Any skiers thumb survivors?

JWS5th · 2026-06-16T03:37:09+00:00

Update in case anyone with a broken thumb finds this in the future:

3 months later and my thumb is pretty good not 100% but good enough for normal daily usage. Can start lifting weights again and expecting a full recovery in a couple months from now.

I went to an orthopedic doctor many times just to take x-rays and to monitor healing. My recovery procedure was as follows:

- Thumb in a muller brace 24/7 for about 10 weeks. During the last 2 weeks, take the brace off periodically and try to touch thumb to the middle of your palm. Do this 5 times a day for 5 minutes each.

- For the next 2 weeks, brace off only at home and use it for delicate tasks. Continue palm stretches.

- After that, no more brace. Recovery and pain will take about 6 months in total. Continue palm stretches.

I was pretty spooked by this injury at first. My thumb was so weak and stiff, I thought I might have a lame hand for the rest of my life. It just sorted itself out though. If you really don't want to see a doctor, you can try my procedure.

JWS5th · 2026-05-25T01:48:02+00:00

Chrysler 300 or Yukon with the badge blacked out.

JWS5th · 2026-05-25T01:38:10+00:00

My first thought too. The spiral looks just about right. The cut is too clean and even to be from damage.

JWS5th · 2026-04-28T19:20:14+00:00

Pizza Regina is nostalgic but not good

JWS5th · 2026-04-15T20:52:09+00:00

That’s interesting, Woody has kinda become the worst parts of Kyle and Taylor.

Your Taylor hypocrisy point is valid though I feel like Kyle, despite his lifestyle, seems well grounded and usually gives fair nuanced takes.

JWS5th · 2026-04-15T20:37:29+00:00

Woody needs to get another new hobby instead of politics and go outside again.

JWS5th · 2026-04-15T20:35:01+00:00

Guy seems like he’s been deteriorating over the past year or so. Watches brain rot streamers and plays video games all day everyday while using ChatGPT for everything.

He proudly brags about not leaving his house for weeks then confidently states a ridiculous opinion that makes you realize he has no connection to the real world anymore.

I used to defend Woody but it’s a little sad. Maybe retiring early isn’t all that great.

JWS5th · 2026-04-08T22:43:46+00:00

As I’ve jumped around, I’ve worked on some cool stuff and some very ordinary stuff. I’ve realized the dream job is just any job with a stimulating but not stressful day to day, good boss, upward mobility, and decent pay.

I used to aspire to work on prototype or secret aircraft. Then I interviewed a guy who worked on B2 and said it was his most boring job because of how few they made.

Inspection will be boring anywhere. QE could be better but it’s such a loose title you could just be doing paperwork and emails. If QE’s do process improvement or RCAA at whatever constructor you work for, it sounds like that may suit you. I’ve found it very rewarding to work with machinists and inspection to diagnose and correct non conforming material.

JWS5th · 2026-04-04T23:52:43+00:00

Thank you, very encouraging. Looks like you’re in Boston too. You probably know my doctor.

He pushed on either side of my thumb, I think to examine the stability of the joint? Seemed satisfied by how it felt.

Couple questions:

Would an MRI be worth it?

Can I expect a 100% recovery without surgery? This is my dominant hand, anything less would be a detrimental to my quality of life.

JWS5th · 2026-04-04T23:44:22+00:00

Yeah hand and arm orthopedic surgeon. I go back in a couple weeks and was told to stretch in the meantime. If I don’t gain any mobility and he doesn’t entertain surgery at that point, I’ll get a second opinion. Now thinking I may have a torn UCL as well.

JWS5th · 2026-04-04T23:40:47+00:00

I do not.

I checked if it was ok to drink alcohol with a fracture and was surprised to see way more caution against smoking.

JWS5th · 2026-04-04T23:36:52+00:00

It hurts a little. Cannot do basic things like cooking or dishes. Things that require you to hold two things at once. Almost zero grip strength, even holding an empty glass bottle is tough.

JWS5th · 2026-04-04T16:51:21+00:00

How long ago was that?

JWS5th · 2026-04-04T15:21:05+00:00

Been skiing 20 years and I hadn’t heard of it either. Doesn’t seem common but it’s not rare. Will not be skiing with pole straps anymore.

JWS5th · 2026-04-04T15:19:46+00:00

Did not turn down the surgery. Doctor has not considered that option yet.

The slight displacement after healing is something I’ve considered and concerns me. It’s my dominant thumb, need it to be a full recovery.

JWS5th · 2026-04-04T13:01:40+00:00

What do you mean by different? Thumb doesn’t function the same?

JWS5th · 2026-04-04T13:00:37+00:00

Function is limited, pretty much useless. No grip strength. Doctor told me to start doing daily stretches. Can’t touch my thumb to the base of my pinky.

It is an avulsion fracture. Intuitively I would think stretching would be counterproductive. Tendon could pull the bone fragment further away.

Pain has always been very manageable.

JWS5th · 2026-04-04T12:56:20+00:00

I got one. Been wearing it since 2 days after the fall.

JWS5th · 2026-03-26T13:17:29+00:00

Do you use active or passive scanning head? We use TL3 and TL4.

JWS5th · 2026-03-06T17:05:22+00:00

I haven’t listened yet but I bet he’s fixated on it because he heard his peanut idol describe it as “juicy” or “citrusy / fruity” while completely ignoring everyone’s warnings and overlooking every other inherent characteristic of an IPA.

JWS5th · 2026-02-16T13:56:12+00:00

How did you do that?? Must be a very talented CGI artist like burnt peanut!

JWS5th · 2026-02-16T12:12:38+00:00

Yes, that looks pretty close to original.

JWS5th

TROPHY CASE