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What is a thumb sprain?
How can I prevent a thumb sprain?
Improving sports performance
Thumb sprain rehabilitation for athletes

How can I prevent a thumb sprain?
Since thumb sprains are nearly always results of falls or other accidents, there is not much that can be done to prevent them.

However, thumb sprains caused by overuse can be avoided by applying ice to the thumbs after each training session and using rehabilitation exercises to increase strength of the hand muscles and maintain flexibility of the thumb joints.

The best way to prevent reoccurrences of a thumb sprain is to only return to practice and competition when all symptoms of the injury are gone and strength of the affected thumb has returned to normal. Furthermore, the rehabilitation exercises should be continued to ensure protective strength, range of motion, and stability of the injured joint.

Improving sports performance
The key to improving sports performance after recovering from a thumb sprain is a proper a rehabilitation program and adhering to some of those same principles after the injury is gone.

The single most important aspect of improving performance is by utilizing the stretching exercises mentioned above before and after you step onto the field, court, ice, or golf course.

Benefits derived from stretching include:

• increased physical efficiency and performance
• decreased risk of injury
• increased blood supply and nutrients to joint structures
• increased coordination
• improved muscular balance and postural awareness
• decreased risk of lower-back pain
• reduced stress
• enhanced enjoyment