What is the fastest way to heal a sprained thumb?
Apr 26, 2016 · Healing a Sprained Thumb 1. A Splint or Cast. If there is a partially torn ligament, a cast or splint is used. It helps speed up the healing... 2. Thumb Taping. Thumb taping is another way to prevent the thumb from moving and potentially making the injury worse. 3. Thumb Bracing. A thumb brace is ...
How can you tell if your thumb is sprained?
The treatment for a sprained thumb depends on how severe your sprain is. Mild thumb sprains (grade 1 sprains) can usually be treated from home using a treatment plan known as PRICE (protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation). Treatment for a mild thumb sprain can include:
Is there a splint/brace for a sprained thumb?
Sep 30, 2020 · Symptoms include swelling and pain in the thumb and surrounding areas, a loss of movement or a difficulty with your grip, a feeling of laxity or joint instability, as well as possible bruising. Treatment can begin at home with rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication.
What is the difference between a sprained and jammed thumb?
Jul 25, 2020 · Use an ice pack or submerge your thumb in a cold bath. Ice the injury for 15-minute intervals for 24 to 48 hours. Avoid sleeping with an ice pack, if the cold is left on your skin for too long it can cause a skin injury. Compression Use compression with a bandage or thumb spica brace for 24 to 48 hours.
How long does it take for sprained thumbs to heal?
A mild sprain usually heals within four to six weeks if you wear a splint or cast to immobilize your thumb and refrain from activities that irritate it. A more severe thumb sprain, such as a grade 3 sprain, could take several months before it's fully healed and you're able to use your thumb like normal again.Dec 23, 2021
What is the fastest way to heal a sprained thumb?
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.
Should you exercise a sprained thumb?
Ligaments are strong bands of tis- sue that connect one bone to another. doing exercises to strengthen your thumb during the healing process. Your health care provider will recommend that your sprained thumb be splinted for 1 to 4 weeks after your injury.
How do you strengthen a thumb sprain?
Thumb IP flexion Place your forearm and hand on a table with your affected thumb pointing up. With your other hand, hold your thumb steady just below the joint nearest your thumbnail. Bend the tip of your thumb downward, then straighten it. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
How do you tell if your thumb is sprained or just jammed?
Here are 5 signs that you have sprained your thumb:Swelling.Bruising.Pain.Weakness.Trouble performing daily activities such as writing or holding a glass.May 17, 2021
How do you tell if my thumb is sprained?
When you sprain your thumb, you'll usually feel pain, discomfort, and stiffness at the base of your thumb near the palm. 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.
How do you wrap a sprained thumb?
0:512:56How To Wrap An Elastic Bandage: Thumb Sprain - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're going to anchor securely to the wrist and then you're going to apply a spike or a figureMoreYou're going to anchor securely to the wrist and then you're going to apply a spike or a figure eight around the thumb just keep your hand relaxed.
How do you massage a thumb joint?
Press your thumb in a circular motion with moderate pressure all around the back of your hand and then your palm. Continue pressure with your thumb along both sides of each finger. Use your thumb to massage the area between your thumb and forefinger.Jul 18, 2019
What Causes A Sprained Thumb?
A sprained thumb (also known as a jammed thumb) is often the result of a repetitive action that strains the ligaments in the thumb. A ligament is s...
How Is A Sprained Thumb Diagnosed?
To determine whether or not the thumb is indeed sprained (and if so, the extent of the injury), your doctor will perform a few sprained thumb tests...
How Long Does It Take For A Sprained Thumb to heal?
To ease pain and swelling, you can place an ice pack on your thumb twice a day for two to three days after the injury. For the first three weeks af...
Some Possible Complications
If you don’t seek treatment for your sprained thumb and you continue to engage in physical activities (even regular activities) too soon, the follo...
Preventing A Sprained Thumb
When participating in heavy contact sports, or sports like volleyball where you use your fingers a lot, taping can be an effective method of preven...
Why do you tape your thumb?
When participating in heavy contact sports, or sports like volleyball where you use your fingers a lot, taping can be an effective method of prevention in keeping the thumb joint stabilized and preventing ulnar collateral ligament injuries. There are a few ways to tape a thumb, depending on how the joint was damaged.
How to heal a strained thumb?
Here are a number of possible treatments for a sprained thumb that your doctor and/or physiotherapist will recommend. 1. A Splint or Cast.
How long does it take to heal a sprained thumb?
The recovery time for a sprained thumb is typically four to six weeks unless the ligament is torn, in which case a more involved sprained thumb treatment, such as surgery, is necessary and will result in a much longer recovery time.
What is the ligament in a sprain?
A ligament is soft tissue that connects bones to other bones, creating a complete joint. Thumb sprains are common in sports such as volleyball, rugby, martial arts, skiing, and even basketball and Ultimate Frisbee to some extent.
What is the best way to heal a torn ligament in your thumb?
A Splint or Cast. If there is a partially torn ligament, a cast or splint is used. It helps speed up the healing process by keeping the injured thumb in a constricted environment, to prevent use, overextension, and further injury. 2.
How to diagnose thumb sprain?
The following are how most thumb sprains are diagnosed: Your doctor will first look at the injury and if they need a second opinion they may refer you to a specialist. Next, your doctor may do a stress test, in which they put pressure on the injured ligament.
What happens if you don't treat a sprained thumb?
If you don’t seek treatment for your sprained thumb and you continue to engage in physical activities (even regular activities) too soon, the following complications might occur: Chronic pain; Chronic thumb joint instability, and a possibility for it to happen again but with less force applied; and.
How to improve thumb strength?
These thumb rehab exercises can help improve strength and range of motion. Between texting, typing, gripping groceries and cutting open packages, your hands get a lot of action during the day. But this frequent, repetitive use can make your thumbs prone overuse injuries, including tendonitis and sprains.
How to strengthen the wrist?
Steps: . Place the elbow of your affected thumb on a table or other flat surface. Gently bend your wrist forward and hold for 5 seconds. Complete 2 sets of 15 reps.
What happens when you overuse your thumb?
This condition happens when the tendons around the base of your thumb, right where your thumb hooks into your hand, become inflamed. This irritation causes swelling, pain ...
How to stretch thumb from palm?
Advertisement. Steps: . Lay your hand down flat on a table and stretch your thumb away from your palm as far as you can.
How to make a sprite out of a sprite?
Steps: . Pick up a variety of small objects, such as paper clips, safety pins, pencils, coins and marbles, using your thumb and each of your other fingers, one at a time. Practice this exercise for 5 minutes.
Who is Michelle Zehr?
Michelle Zehr started writing professionally in 2009. She has written on health, fitness, fashion, interior design, home decorating,sports and finance for several websites. Zehr possesses a Bachelor of Arts in communication from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master of Arts in professional writing from Chatham University and a graduate certificate in health promotion from California University of Pennsylvania.
How to stop a sprained thumb from getting worse?
Rest: Move your thumb as little as possible to keep the sprain from getting worse. Ice: Fill a bag with ice and put it on the area of the sprain to reduce pain and swelling . Compression: Wrap the area of the sprain with elastic wrap to keep pressure on the sprain.
What is a thumb sprain?
Overview. A thumb sprain happens when you injure the tissues in your thumb that connect the bones in a joint. These tissues, known as ligaments, keep your bones in place when the joint moves. In your thumb, several ligaments help you grab objects, pinch, and make a fist. A thumb sprain is much less serious than a broken thumb because ...
Why is it called a skier's thumb?
A sprained thumb is sometimes called skier’s thumb because you can easily injure your thumb’s UCL if you hit your thumb at high speeds against a skiing pole. It’s also sometimes called gamekeeper’s thumb because of how common a chronic UCL sprain is among gamekeepers.
How to heal a sprained thumb?
Right after you’ve sprained your thumb, use the PRICE method: 1 Pressure: Press down on the area of the sprain to keep swelling down. 2 Rest: Move your thumb as little as possible to keep the sprain from getting worse. 3 Ice: Fill a bag with ice and put it on the area of the sprain to reduce pain and swelling. 4 Compression: Wrap the area of the sprain with elastic wrap to keep pressure on the sprain. 5 Elevation: Keep your hand lifted above your heart to reduce swelling and internal bleeding.
What ligament is involved in thumb sprain?
Read about how minor sports injuries can be treated at home. The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is the most common ligament involved in a thumb sprain. This ligament is at the base of your thumb near your palm at the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ). It keeps your thumb from bending too far or dislocating.
How long does it take for a thumb splint to be removed?
To treat a minor sprain, your doctor will have you wear a thumb spica splint or a cast to keep your thumb from moving. After about six weeks , the splint or cast is removed. Your thumb will be stiff after not using it for six weeks, so your doctor will then recommend exercises to get back full control of your thumb.
How to get rid of a swollen thumb?
Repeat these exercises 8–12 times several times a day. Bend the top part of your thumb back and forth. Hold the base of your thumb and bend it so that the thumb touches your palm. Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of each finger in succession.
Why is my thumb joint loose?
A loose or unstable joint can be caused by the absence of connections of the bones of the thumb by the possibly sprained ligament. This is, of course, if the ligament has been torn significantly or completely away from its points of attachment.
How does a Gamekeeper's thumb affect a skier's thumb?
Gamekeeper's thumb affects the same ligament as skier's thumb. It occurs, however, when you damage the ligament through repeated stress on the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb. The direction of force should press the thumb away from the palm. Thumb sprains from chronic injury can occur in a similar fashion today for individuals who need to quickly crush or apply force to an object. People who spend time kneading dough, molding clay, or breaking objects using their palm as a lever may experience a chronic repetitive stress injury leading to a thumb sprain.
How long does it take for a sprained thumb to swell?
Main symptoms. The main symptoms of a sprained thumb include the following. Swelling: This usually lasts for up to a week after injury and depends on the degree of damage to the tissue. Determining if the pain is caused by a sprain requires a physical examination of the thumb and may require imaging.
How long does it take for ice to heal a thumb sprain?
Usually, after transitioning from anti-inflammatory medications, ice can be used readily for two or three days after an injury.
What is the most common movement that can result in injury if it is fast or forceful enough?
In the case of a thumb sprain, stretching the thumb backward away from the palm is the most common movement that can result in injury if it is fast or forceful enough. Common situations where this may occur include:
How long does it take for a sprain to dissipate?
If you have persistent pain after two weeks. Usually, the pain associated with a sprain dissipates within two weeks of a simple sprain. If the pain persists generally, on motion, or is not improving within one week of the injury, you should seek further medical attention.
What does it mean when your thumb hurts?
bruises, fractures, abrasions). It indicates damage to tissue but does not indicate which tissue may be damaged.
How to heal a thumb spica?
Compression. Use compression with a bandage or thumb spica brace for 24 to 48 hours. A bandage is better for the compression, but a spica cast or brace will immobilize your thumb to help prevent further damage. Both options will reduce swelling within the soft tissue of the thumb, in turn, this reduces pain and helps to improve healing time.
What ligament is involved in a sprained thumb?
The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), which is the ligament typically involved in a sprained thumb, needs plenty of time to heal. Resting your thumb will give your body a chance to repair the damage. Be sure to avoid activities that involve using your thumb and protect it with a splint or brace.
What is the procedure to repair a thumb sprain?
As a result, some surgeons will reconstruct injured ligaments by grafting in new tissue. This is a fusion procedure and is the surgery of choice for patients who work in jobs that put significant strain on their thumb.
How to reduce swelling in thumb?
Raising your thumb above the level of your heart will reduce swelling by encouraging fluid to return to the heart and not pool in the area around the thumb. Prop your hand and thumb on a couple of pillows. Keep your thumb elevated intermittently for the first two days after your injury.
What is the best medicine for a sprained thumb?
One way to treat the pain associated with a sprained thumb is to take over-the-counter pain medications. NSAIDs like ibuprofen and na proxen are two common drugs that are inexpensive and widely available. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is another medication that can help provide some pain relief.
What to do after thumb surgery?
Follow-up with the surgeon and a physical therapist is incredibly important after thumb surgery. Your surgeon will evaluate the incision site and determine if any additional treatment is necessary. A physical therapist will help you work through the stiffness after surgery and encourage you to strengthen the muscles surrounding the site. Follow any recommendations by your surgeon regarding rest, splinting, and pain management.
How to treat a sprained thumb?
The cold helps to reduce swelling, bruising, and pain. Use an ice pack or submerge your thumb in a cold bath. Ice the injury for 15-minute intervals for 24 to 48 hours. Avoid sleeping with an ice pack, if the cold is left on your skin for too long it can cause a skin injury.
How to do slide 9 of 9?
slide 9 of 9, Towel grab, Fold a small towel in half, and lay it flat on a table. Put your hand flat on the towel, palm down. Grab the towel, and scrunch it toward you until your hand is in a fist. Slowly straighten your fingers to push the towel back so it is flat on the table again. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
How to get a swollen finger out of your hand?
Place your good hand on a table, palm up. Put your hand with the affected finger on top of your good hand. Use the thumb and fingers of your good hand to grasp below the middle joint of your affected finger. Bend and then straighten the last two joints of your affected finger. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
How to get a hook out of your hand?
Slowly uncurl the joints of your hand with the affected finger where your fingers connect to your hand so that only the top two joints of your fingers are bent. Your fingers will look like a hook. Move back to your starting position, with your fingers wrapped around your good thumb. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
How to do MP extension?
MP extension. Place your good hand on a table, palm up. Put your hand with the affected finger on top of your good hand with your fingers wrapped around the thumb of your good hand like you are making a fist. Slowly uncurl the joints of your hand with the affected finger where your fingers connect to your hand so that only the top two joints ...
How to make a fist?
Make a fist by bending your knuckles. Your thumb can gently rest against your index (pointing) finger. Unwind your fingers slightly so that your fingertips can touch the base of your palm. Your thumb can rest against your index finger . Move back to your starting position, with your fingers and thumb pointing up.
How to move a finger that is not affected?
Place the hand with the affected finger flat on a table, palm up. With your other hand, press down on the fingers that are not affected. Your affected finger will be free to move.
How to do dip flexion?
slide 3 of 9, DIP flexion, With your good hand, grasp your affected finger. Your thumb will be on the top side of your finger just below the joint that is closest to your fingernail. Slowly bend your affected finger only at the joint closest to your fingernail. Hold for about 6 seconds.
What is the most common injury to the hand?
Finger sprains and dislocations are common injuries to the hand. When a sprain occurs, a ligament that supports a joint is stretched too far and the tough fibers of the ligament tissue become either partially or completely torn. Ronald Martinez / Getty Images.
How to treat a sprained finger?
In addition to taping or splinting the injured finger, other treatments for a sprain include: 1 Ice the injured finger 2 Elevate if there is swelling 3 Take an anti-inflammatory medication 4 Gently move the finger to prevent stiffening
How long does it take for a finger sprain to heal?
So long as there is no fracture or dislocation, most finger sprains should be allowed to move within about a week.
What causes a finger to sprain?
Common causes of finger sprains and dislocations include sports injuries, work-related injuries, and automobile accidents.
How long does it take to use your hand after a sprain?
Usually, you'll be able to use your hand as normal within a week. It is also normal for a sprain to cause pain and discomfort for a longer period of time. If it's really bothering you, ask your doctor if there is a way to reduce the discomfort. 6 . Although dislocation is a more serious injury, expect treatment similar to that of a sprain.
What is a dislocated finger?
A finger dislocation is a more severe injury to the digit, as it involves not only the ligament, but also the surrounding joint capsule, cartilage, and other tissues. When a joint is dislocated, the normal alignment of the finger is altered, and the joint must be put back into place. Sometimes, relocating a finger dislocation can be simple ...
What is the purpose of X-rays for dislocated fingers?
The X-ray is performed to ensure the joint is perfectly aligned, and that there was no fracture that occurred at the time of the injury. 5 . Once is has been reduced and splinted, care for a dislocated finger is similar to that of a sprained finger. You should ice and elevate the injured finger after the injury.
What is the ligament that connects bones to each other at the joints?
A sprained thumb is an injury to a ligament, which is a soft tissue that connects bones to each other at the joints to keep it stable, as opposed to a thumb fracture (break) which is an injury to the bone. The ulnar collateral ligament is the most injured ligament in the thumb.
How long does it take for a sprained thumb to heal?
A sprained thumb can be treated with a brace or cast and will likely take 3-6 weeks to fully heal. If your sprain is severe, you may need surgery. Every patient is different, so visit a hand surgeon to determine the best treatment for your injury.
What causes a thumb sprain?
This particular ligament connects the thumb to the hand on the side closest to your index finger. Many times, thumb sprains will result from sports injuries or falls. For example, skiing results in many thumb injuries, as does basketball and other contact sports. You may fall and try to catch yourself, bending your thumb in an awkward position.
How to treat a thumb injury?
Immediately after injuring your thumb, until you can get to a doctor's office, elevate and ice the injured hand. Wrap it in a bandage so that your thumb cannot move until the doctor can examine you. The best and safest way to determine the severity of your injury is to visit a hand surgeon as soon as possible.
What to do if a ligament is torn?
He or she may take x-rays to see if any bones are broken. If a ligament is torn, it may be treatable with a cast or splint. Or, you may need surgery. The sooner you can visit a medical professional, the better your recovery will be.
Why do ski poles sprain?
In skiing, ski poles are a big cause of a sprained thumb, typically when the pole doesn't release from the hand when you fall. The best way to avoid this is to never place your hands in the strap on the ski pole, and try to let go of the pole when falling rather than gripping it.
How do you know if you have a sprained thumb?
Here are 5 signs that you have sprained your thumb: Swelling. Bruising. Pain. Weakness. Trouble performing daily activities such as writing or holding a glass. However, these symptoms may also ring true if you’ve broken your thumb.
