Skiers' thumb injuries associated with flared ski pole handles.

Three skiers presented for treatment of significant thumb injuries sustained while skiing. Each patients was using a strapless ski pole handle with a flared thumb support. These skiers felt their interphalangeal (IP) joint flexion was blocked by the flare of their ski pole handle, causing their protruding thumb tip to be the point of initial impact, thus leading to their injury. Prior to use of any ski pole handle, full flexion of the gloved thumb IP joint should be verified.