pain, stiffness, or swelling of the thumb joint.

This can happen for several reasons, including:

It allows bones within the joint to move across each other without friction.īasal joint arthritis (BJA), or thumb arthritis, occurs when the cartilage between the base of the thumb and the wrist wears away. Basal joint arthritisĬartilage is a type of tissue that cushions and lubricates the joints.

They may then need to perform exercises to help regain movement of the thumb. A surgeon may use wire, pins, or screws to hold the fragments together while the bone heals.įollowing surgery, a person will need to wear a cast for 2–6 weeks to immobilize the thumb.

If the bone fragments have drifted far from the break, a person may require surgery to realign the fragments. A person may need to wear the cast for 4–6 weeks.ĭuring this time, a person may require regular X-rays to check that the bones remain properly aligned. If the bone fragments remain close to the break, a temporary cast may be enough to hold the fragments in place. These injuries can cause intense pain that starts at the site of the damaged bone and radiates through the wrist and forearm.ĭepending on the type of fracture or break and its location, the thumb may also become unstable. In some cases, a bone within the thumb may be broken or fractured. If the injury has caused a complete tear to the thumb ligament, a person will need surgery to repair it. If the thumb ligament has a partial tear, a person will need to wear a temporary cast to immobilize the thumb.Īfter around 4 weeks, the person can usually remove the cast and begin exercises to help regain movement in the thumb. Elevate: Keep the hand raised above heart level to reduce swelling and pain.Compress: Wear an elastic (ACE) bandage to reduce swelling.Ice: Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for about 10 minutes every hour for the first day.Rest: Support the thumb and rest it for as long as possible.Following the principles of RICE may help. Minor injuries where the ligament has not torn may heal with basic home care. A ligament is a band of tough, fibrous tissue that connects bone to bone.Īccording to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, sprains most commonly occur when a person falls onto an outstretched hand.Ī person with a sprained thumb will experience pain, swelling, and bruising along the inside of the thumb, near the first knuckle.

Thumb sprainĪ thumb sprain results from stretching or damage to the ligaments of the thumb. There are numerous possible causes of thumb pain. Share on Pinterest A strain is a possible cause of thumb pain.

Tell if your thumb is jammed