Ulnar collateral ligament injury occurs in any sport when the thumb is forcibly abducted, as occurs during a fall in sports such as hockey, football, and wrestling. The thumb is pulled sideways and usually the ligament tears off at its distal end where it is attached to the base of the proximal phalanx. Sometimes the ligament remains intact but pulls off a bit of the bone to which it is attached. In either case, RIT/Prolotherapy is very effective at treating the condition. A splint needs to be worn for a few weeks if there is a fracture.

If the ligament is significantly torn, laxity at base of the thumb will be evident by the thumb being displaced sideways, away from the index finger The athlete is given a thumb spica splint and RIT/Prolotherapy is given to speed the rate of healing.

If the ligament injury is not too severe,  RIT/Prolotherapy alone is done to stimulate the repair of the injured structure. The wrist is one of the most complicated areas of the musculoskeletal system. It is comprised of 15 bones, 27 articular surfaces, and an elaborate system of ligaments that maintain these bones and surfaces in proper relation to one another.

The wrist is one of the most common areas where ligament injury occurs, causing the athlete pain in the area. All 27 articular surfaces in the wrist are covered in a sea of ligaments.

Throwing injuries to the wrist are associated with throwing, racquet sports, and often overuse injuries. Weight-bearing injuries are seen in gymnasts and weight lifters who experience high compressive forces on the wrist. Twisting injuries may occur in any sport, whereby the wrist undergoes a rapid rotation, which disrupts the ligaments and stability of the wrist.

Impact injuries are the most common injury, and result from either a direct impact or fall on the wrist. The diagnosis of wrist instability or wrist ligament injury is best done by direct palpation. The wrist bones are very superficial. The weakened (ligament's) can be palpated and positive "jump signs" elicited. The weakened (ligament's) can then be treated with Prolotherapy and pain eliminated.

MRI and standard x-rays are not yet sensitive enough to show ligament injuries in the wrist. Some orthopedists advocate arthroscopic examination of the wrist. The standard response by orthopedists is that diagnostic arthroscopy of the wrist is indicated when noninvasive imaging procedures and clinical examination are insufficient to provide a conclusive diagnosis.

(Whipple, T. The role of arthroscopy in the treatment of wrist injuries in the athlete. Clinical  Sports Medicine. 1998; 17:623-634.) They are thus saying that arthroscopy is used to obtain a diagnosis.

A better approach, in our opinion, is to press on the painful area with the thumb and reproduce the patient's pain. The painful structure has been located and the diagnosis is made. RIT/ Prolotherapy injections to the scapholunate or other wrist ligaments causes a strengthening  of the ligaments and the stabilization of the three wrist bones typically involved, resulting in a complete healing of the pain.

Furthermore, individuals who have already had wrist surgery, but who have experienced degeneration as a result of the surgery, have found tremendous relief from Prolotherapy treatments supplemented with chondroitin and glucosamine sulfate.

                                            (Source: internet  Ross Hauser, M.D.)    

            Remember to do warm-up and stretch exercises before playing any sport. This

                                          will usually prevent joint and muscle problems.