Anyone who experiences thumb pain, particularly if it lasts longer than a few days should see a doctor. Even though most sprains do not require treatment, a doctor might recommend a splint and ensure that there is no additional damage.
Mild thumb sprains will usually improve with home treatment that includes the RICE protocol:
- Rest. Try not use your hand for at least 48 hours.
- Ice. Apply ice immediately after the injury to keep the swelling down.
- Compression. Wear an elastic compression bandage to reduce swelling.
- Elevation.
If the ligaments are completely torn, you will most likely have surgery to repair them. A torn ligament cannot fully heal itself. Surgery for the thumb collateral ligaments is usually done as an outpatient procedure, meaning you will probably go home the same day as the surgery.
Symptoms of a fractured thumb include:
- Severe pain at the fracture site.
- Swelling.
- Limited or no ability to move the thumb.
- Extreme tenderness.
- A misshapen or deformed look to the thumb.
- Numbness or coldness in the thumb.
Nonoperative treatment can be considered for partial tears (grade I or grade II) of the UCL, which usually involve an isolated rupture of the proper collateral portion of the ligament. This may be treated with immobilization in a thumb spica-type cast for 4 weeks.
Skier's thumb (sometimes called gamekeeper's thumb) is an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament. This ligament is located at the base of your thumb on the side near the index (pointer) finger. You may need surgery to repair or reconstruct the ligament and restore function.
If your sprained thumb gets worse or does not heal, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis as you may have a more severe injury like a fracture, broken bone, nerve damage or a significant ligament tear.
Your thumb may be fractured or broken if you fall on it or have direct impact on the joint. You might feel a lot of pain in the area, severe swelling, inability to move your thumb, or your thumb may appear deformed. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor for a proper diagnosis and recovery plan.
“ You cannot drive after any hand injury or surgery until you can safely turn the wheel in an emergency to save yourself or someone else”.
Arthritis. Thumb arthritis is common as we age. In most cases, it's osteoarthritis — the age-related breakdown of joint tissue — that causes a swollen thumb joint, especially at the lowest joint (called the basal joint). It can also be caused by reactive arthritis, which is triggered by an infection in the body.
X-rays do NOT show tendons, ligaments, nerves, cartilage or blood vessels. X-rays typically show bones and joints, and may, at times, show the absence of skin (e.g. infection). In other words, a bone scan will “pick up” a fracture in situations when a fracture is suspected but the x-rays were normal.
Can I wear the brace while I sleep? Yes! The thumb brace can be worn while you sleep.
For very mild cases, rest and ice are sometimes enough to get rid of the symptoms. But in many cases, carpal tunnel treatment will involve splinting the thumb and wrist just at night or around the clock to give the inflammation time to recede and the thumb and wrist a chance to heal.
What are the symptoms of a sprained thumb? You may have trouble grabbing or pinching objects, or barely be able to move your thumb. You'll also see swelling and bruising around the base of your thumb. The pain and swelling usually fades after a few weeks if you rest your thumb and use ice to reduce swelling.
