A single moment—a hard fall, a jammed thumb, a forceful twist – can lead to a problem that lasts for months or years: an unstable joint. When a ligament is torn, the hand or wrist can lose its structural integrity, leading to a frustrating and confidence-shattering feeling of weakness, clicking, or “giving way.” For an athlete or active professional, this is not a minor inconvenience; it’s a direct threat to your performance and livelihood.
A single moment—a hard fall, a jammed thumb, a forceful twist – can lead to a problem that lasts for months or years: an unstable joint. When a ligament is torn, the hand or wrist can lose its structural integrity, leading to a frustrating and confidence-shattering feeling of weakness, clicking, or “giving way.” For an athlete or active professional, this is not a minor inconvenience; it’s a direct threat to your performance and livelihood.
You don’t have to live with an unreliable joint. Through advanced surgical techniques like Direct Ligament Repair, Complex Ligament Reconstruction, and using the latest technologies such as the Internal Brace® from Arthrex, it is possible to restore the rock-solid stability you depend on. As a Harvard-trained specialist in Hand and Wrist Surgery with extensive experience treating elite athletes, Dr. Rod French is your expert guide on the path from instability back to peak performance.
Ligaments are the tough, fibrous “straps” that connect and hold your bones to each other. They are the essential stabilizers that hold your joints together, allowing for smooth, controlled movement while preventing dislocation. When a key ligament is torn, that stability is lost. The goal of surgery is to restore it.
When a ligament is acutely torn (a recent injury), the ideal solution can be a direct, anatomical repair if conservative treatment is not an option. In this procedure, Dr. French meticulously reattaches the torn ligament back to the bone, often using tiny, strong anchors and sutures to hold it securely in its natural position while it heals.
When a ligament injury is chronic (old) or the ligament tissue is too damaged to be repaired directly, a Ligament Reconstruction is necessary. This is a sophisticated procedure where a spare tendon from your wrist or forearm is used as a graft to build a completely new, strong ligament, effectively restoring the joint’s stability.
Surgical intervention is the definitive solution for a significant ligament tear that is causing functional problems. You may be a candidate if you experience:
For a high-performance individual, every week of disability matters. A chronically unstable joint not only prevents you from performing at your best, but it can also lead to secondary, irreversible cartilage damage and arthritis over time. Waiting months or years in the public system for a consultation and surgery means a longer time away from your passion and your livelihood, and a very high likelihood of irreversible damage to the joint, such as arthritis.
Choosing private care provides timely access to a specialist who can diagnose your instability and perform the definitive repair or reconstruction you need without unnecessary delay. It is an investment in your health, your career, and your ability to get back to performing with strength and confidence, sooner.
Recovery from ligament surgery is a process that requires patience and a commitment to rehabilitation. The goal is not just to heal, but to heal strongly enough to withstand the demands of your activities.
Recovery varies, but with standard surgical techniques, it generally involves 6-8 weeks of initial immobilization, followed by several months of dedicated hand therapy. A return to high-impact sports or heavy labor can often take 4-6 months to allow the reconstruction to mature fully. With the advent of newer, stronger suture-anchors and Internal Brace® (by Arhtrex) reinforcements of ligament repairs and reconstructions, Dr. French can help patients recover function much faster. Range of motion is begun usually at one week under the care of a Certified Hand Therapist.
A torn Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL), or “Skier’s Thumb,” is fixed by surgically re-anchoring the ligament firmly back to the bone and reinforcing the repair with an Internal Brace®, which acts like an internal seat-belt to allow mobilization much sooner. This restores the stability needed for a strong pinch and grip.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia or a regional block and is painless during the procedure. Post-operative pain is typically well-managed with medication and usually subsides over the first week or two.
As with any surgery, risks are rare but can include infection, stiffness, nerve irritation, and failure of the repair. Adhering strictly to the post-operative therapy protocol is the best way to minimize risks and ensure a successful outcome.
