After a fun weekend of SUP surfing late on Sunday I got wiped out after getting closed out . I didn't realise it at the time but I managed to fracture my right thumb.

"Oblique undisplaced fracture traversing the base of the proximal shaft of the distal phalanx of thumb"

After several opinions I managed to convince specialists to not get a full cast up to my elbow . I ended up getting a splint. I will be out of action for about 6 weeks provided follow up X-rays don't show up further damage . There is potentially a second undisplaced fracture .

I am pretty sure the paddle must have jammed against my board and my lower hand thumb got slammed in between.
This has made me think about alternate less risky way to grab paddle. Has anyone tried holding paddle with thumb on same side

Yeah I was hot and sweaty too. Looks like I will have to use my left for relief

Look on the bright side, you still have 2 thumbs!

Thanks Tardy .
Well I rarely go out in anything bigger than 3 foot so it doesn't matter. I'm a **** swimmer.

The life and times of a SUP hack.

My biggest problem is going cold turkey

I am seriously considering trialing a new bottom hand grip where the thumb holds the paddle on the same side as the fingers . The standard way of holding the paddle with bottom hand really places the thumb in a high risk position

16 days on, thumb is still in a splint (new one just covering thumb).
Still some pain but I am fortunate that I can still manage day to day.

In terms of getting back into SUP it will probably be at least another 3-4 weeks before I can SUP and only on flat water.
Getting back into the surf will be a confidence issue (i.e fear of re-breaking a weakened bone).

Has anyone else had experience with fractures and rehabilitation ?
I have also considered wearing something over the thumb whilst SUPing that may cushion against future impacts / falls.
Possibly a glove or even just a thumb splint ?

Thanks Carter.

The current splint allows me considerable movement so I am fortunate

My break is in the distal phalanx so I will need a spica splint that goes to top of thumb

Put some rail tape on your mouth smash ....

Thanks Creek. I am going cold turkey