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?
With your affected hand, point your fingers and thumb straight up. Your wrist should be relaxed, following the line of your fingers and thumb. Touch your affected thumb to each finger, one finger at a time. This will look like an "okay" sign, but try to keep your other fingers straight and pointing upward as much as you can. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
How long does a sprained finger take to heal?
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 to wear a thumb brace for sprained thumb?
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 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 do you rehab a sprained thumb?
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 long does a sprained ligament in your thumb take to heal?
How long does it take to recover from a sprained thumb? A mild sprain should heal in about six weeks if you wear a splint or cast and do rehabilitation exercises. A more serious sprain may take several months to heal before you regain most of your thumb's function again, especially if you had UCL surgery.
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
What helps ligaments heal faster?
Balance, control, and strengthening exercises can also help your ligaments heal more quickly than they otherwise would.
How can I strengthen my thumb?
Gently straighten all your fingers into a full stretch, and then gently make a fist. The following exercises are designed to strengthen the small muscles that support and move your thumb: 5. With your thumb and fingers lightly gripping a tennis ball, gently squeeze against the ball and relax.
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.
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...
How to treat a swollen thumb?
This will look like an "okay" sign, but try to keep your other fingers straight and pointing upward as much as you can. Repeat 8 to 12 times. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.
How to straighten your thumb?
Place your forearm and hand on a table with your affected thumb pointing up. With your other hand, hold the base of your thumb and palm steady. Bend your thumb downward where it meets your palm, then straighten it. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
What is follow up care?
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
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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.
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.
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 make a fist with your fingers?
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.
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.
How to make a towel out of a towel?
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 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.
