Healing a Sprained Thumb
- A Splint or Cast. If there is a partially torn ligament, a cast or splint is used. ...
- Thumb Taping. Thumb taping is another way to prevent the thumb from moving and potentially making the injury worse.
- Thumb Bracing. ...
- Electrotherapy. ...
- Soft Tissue Massage. ...
- Surgery. ...
Full Answer
How you can treat 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 long does a sprained finger take to heal?
Treatment for a mild thumb sprain can include: Protection: Wear a thumb spica splint for a few days to help immobilize the injured area. You can purchase these over... Resting your hand: Avoid using your affected hand for at least 48 hours after your initial injury. This is easy to do if... Icing ...
How long to wear a thumb brace for sprained 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 to strengthen thumb ligaments?
Aug 29, 2017 · Right after you’ve sprained your thumb, use the PRICE method: Pressure: Press down on the area of the sprain to keep swelling down. 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 ...
How long does it take for sprained thumb 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 I exercise my 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 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 can I strengthen my thumb?
Strengthening the muscles of your thumbs can help you grab and lift heavy things like cans and bottles.Put your hand flat on a table. ... Gently move your thumb away from your fingers as far as you can.Hold for 30 to 60 seconds and release.Repeat 10 to 15 times with both hands.Oct 5, 2020
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...
What is 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 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 ...
How to stop thumb from moving?
2. Thumb Taping. Thumb taping is another way to prevent the thumb from moving and potentially making the injury worse. Your doctor will show you how to wrap a sprained thumb.
How to treat a sprained ankle?
Stage one treatment is focused on reducing pain and swelling using the classic remedy known as RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation).
What happens if you pull your thumb?
You will have difficulty writing, opening jars, turning a door handle, or even holding a glass. There will be swelling. Bruising will likely occur around the base of the thumb. The joint will become red and inflamed.
What is a thorough checkup?
A thorough checkup by a physiotherapist is where you will land next in your path to diagnosis. They will be able to find out which joint has been injured and can determine a course of treatment. X-rays and an MRI might be called for if the physiotherapist suspects a fracture or thumb dislocation.
How does TENS work?
Your physiotherapist might suggest using Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). Small tabs are connected with wires to a machine and then placed on the injury site. A small amount of electricity is passed through the wires to your skin. The electrical current speeds up tissue healing, but can also help with pain management.
How to shake someone's hand?
Place your hand palm-side down on a flat surface. Attempt to move your thumb away from your palm, hold this position for five seconds, and then bring it back. Next, rest your hand on its side, with your thumb on your index finger, as though you were going to shake someone’s hand.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
How to treat a swollen 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.
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 get your thumb to move?
Stretches and Exercise . After the initial injury phase has passed you can start stretching and exercise your arm, hand, and thumb. Stretching will help you maintain or regain the range of motion in your thumb. Exercise will strengthen the surrounding muscles to help prevent an additional injury.
Can ski poles cause a sprained thumb?
Skiing is one activity that is more commonly associated with sprains. The ski pole gets caught up in the thumb and hand during falls and can cause a sprained thumb. If you ski practice falling with your ski poles to be best prepared for the situation. Here are a few other ways to prevent thumb sprains:
What is a mallet finger?
Injury Guides. Mallet finger is an injury to the tendon that allows you to straighten your finger. It’s also called baseball finger, it is a common injury that occurs when someone is catching a ball and the ball hits the tip of the finger. Read More.
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 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 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.
Can you have surgery if you tore your thumb?
You may need surgery if your UCL is torn or if a splint or cast doesn’t help. This surgery can repair or reattach the ligament and any tissue or bones that may have been fractured or torn out of the joint when you injured your thumb.
Is a thumb sprain more serious than a broken thumb?
A thumb sprain is much less serious than a broken thumb because the ligament or bone isn’t broken or torn. A broken bone or a torn ligament may require more long-term treatment. Read on to learn more about how to know if you’ve sprained your thumb, what can cause a sprain, and how it’s treated.
What are the symptoms of a sprained thumb?
A sprained thumb is an injury of an overextended or torn ligament connecting the bones at the base of the thumb. Symptoms include swelling, bruising, and pain.
What happens if you stretch your thumb?
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: Partially catching a ball and having it only contact the thumb. Falling on an outstretched hand.
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 long does a sprain last?
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. Bruising: Bruising is common during sprain from acute stress.
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.
Can a thumb sprain cause a sprain?
There is no single cause of a thumb sprain. Any force or action producing the correct pressure can cause a sprain. As stated above, the most common cause of sprain is an overextension of the thumb stretching or tearing the ulnar collateral ligament.
What is a third degree sprain?
Third-degree sprain: This is a complete tear of a ligament or separation of the ligament from the bone. In the case of a third-degree sprain, part of the bone may fracture and be pulled with the ligament (avulsion fracture).
How to treat a sprained thumb?
Mild thumb sprains will usually improve with home treatment that includes the RICE protocol: 1 Rest. Try not use your hand for at least 48 hours. 2 Ice. Apply ice immediately after the injury to keep the swelling down. Use cold packs for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Do not apply ice directly on the skin. 3 Compression. Wear an elastic compression bandage to reduce swelling. 4 Elevation. As often as possible, rest with your hand raised up higher than your heart.
What is the procedure to repair a thumb sprain?
For a severe sprain, surgery may be needed to restore the stability of your thumb joint and help you regain function. Surgery involves reconnecting the ligament to the bone and/or repairing the avulsion fracture using a pin, screw, or special bone anchor.
What is the ligament in the thumb?
The ligaments in the thumb help keep the bones in proper position and stabilize the joint. Sprains can range from a stretch or tiny tear in the fibers that make up the ligament to a complete tear through the ligament or through its attachment to the bone. In this sprain, the ulnar collateral ligament is completely torn.
What is grade 3 sprain?
Grade 3 sprain (severe). The ligament is completely torn or is pulled off its attachment to the bone. These are significant injuries that require medical or surgical care. If the ligament tears away from the bone, it may take a small chip of the bone with it. This is called an avulsion fracture.
What happens if you sprain your thumb?
You may have bruising, tenderness, and swelling around the base of your thumb, near the palm.
Why is it called a skier's thumb?
A sprained thumb is often called a “skier’s thumb” because falling on the ski slopes with your hand strapped to a ski pole is a common cause of injury to the ulnar collateral ligament . The ligament can also be injured more gradually, over time, from repetitive grasping or twisting activities.
What is a gamekeeper's thumb?
This type of chronic injury is known as a “gamekeeper’s thumb.”. The ulnar collateral ligament can tear in different ways. For example, it may be pulled off its attachment at the base of the first bone (the proximal phalanx) in the thumb or from its origin on the metacarpal bone.
