Classification of gamekeeper thumb

Last revised by Yuranga Weerakkody on 1 Jan 2022

This classification of gamekeeper's thumb (also known as skier's thumb) was proposed by Hintermann et al. 1 in 1993 and is based on whether a fracture is present and whether the injury is stable:

  • type I
    • fracture present, which is non-displaced and stable in flexion
    • typically treated with a splint/cast
  • type II
    • displaced fracture present
    • requires surgery
  • type III
    • no fracture present and the joint is stable in flexion
    • typically treated with a splint/cast
  • type IV
    • no fracture but unstable
    • requires surgery
  • type V
    • fracture present, involving the volar plate, but stable in flexion
    • typically treated with a splint/cast
  • type VI
    • fracture present, involving the volar plate; unstable
    • requires surgery

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