How long does it take for a stubbed 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.
How can I tell if I have a broken thumb?
Symptoms of a Broken Thumb
- Intense pain.
- Immobility of the thumb.
- Deep bruising.
- Swelling.
- Tingling and/or numbness.
- Thumb looks misshapen.
- The thumb may feel cold to the touch.
How do you tell if your thumb is sprained or just bruised?
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 know if your finger is jammed or fractured?
Jammed Finger vs. Broken Finger Symptoms
- If it’s a jammed finger: When a person jams a finger, he or she will experience pain, redness, and the finger will feel weak.
- If it’s a broken or fractured finger: If the finger is fractured, the swelling will last for days.
Can you move your thumb if you tore a ligament?
The thumb may be tender and painful to move, or it may feel unusually loose. Grade 3 sprains: These entail a complete tear of a ligament. The sprain may be very painful, and it may be difficult to move the thumb.
Should I wrap a sprained thumb?
Wear a compression bandage or thumb support to protect the joint and help reduce swelling. This should be worn all the time during the acute phase. Later in the rehabilitation stage, a more specific taping or thumb splint support to prevent the thumb bending backward may be more beneficial.
How do you heal a jammed thumb?
Treatment
- 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. As often as possible, rest with your hand raised up higher than your heart.
How do you diagnose a sprained thumb?
To diagnose a sprain, your doctor will first move your thumb in various directions to see how it’s affected by a damaged ligament. Then your doctor may take X-rays of your thumb and hand to see any damage to your UCL, bones, or muscles, especially if your doctor suspects that you fractured or broke a bone.
What is a nightstick fracture?
An isolated fracture of the ulnar shaft is defined as a nightstick fracture. The injury derives its name from the idea that a suspect struck with a police nightstick would hold his forearm above his face in a defensive posture when struck with a police baton, resulting in a fracture to the ulna.
What are the symptoms of a broken thumb?
Symptoms of a broken thumb include: swelling around the base of your thumb. severe pain. limited or no ability to move your thumb. extreme tenderness. misshapen appearance. cold or numb feeling.
How do you treat a sprained thumb?
Taking an anti-inflammatory medication, like ibuprofen, can reduce the swelling and pain of a sprained thumb. A cold compress can be applied to a sprained thumb to provide relief and reduce swelling.
What are the symptoms of thumb pain?
Pain is the first and most common symptom of thumb arthritis. Pain can occur at the base of your thumb when you grip, grasp or pinch an object, or use your thumb to apply force. Other signs and symptoms might include: Swelling, stiffness and tenderness at the base of your thumb.
What are the different types of thumb injuries?
Some of the most common types of thumb injuries include bone fractures, ligament sprains, bruises from impacts, tendon injuries and tendinitis, and damage to the skin of the thumb. Athletes are far more likely to incur thumb injuries, though others can also injure the thumb during daily activities.