What happens if your thumb is fractured?

A broken thumb usually causes more intense pain, and your thumb may look deformed or misshapen. A broken thumb can also cause numbness or tingling. If you’re experiencing pain, bruising and swelling in your thumb after an accident such as a fall, be sure to contact your healthcare provider.

How long does it take for a torn thumb ligament to heal?

If the tear is partial, and the thumb is not too loose, the patient is usually placed in a cast or a modified wrist splint (called a thumb spica) for 4 to 6 weeks. By immobilizing the damaged ligament, healing can take place while the thumb will be protected from further injury.

What is hyperextension of the thumb?

Forced abduction and hyperextension of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint is the usual mechanism causing injury of the thumb UCL [1,2,6-8]. This can occur if someone falls onto their thumb or the thumb is struck, violently forcing it into abduction.

How do you heal a hurt thumb?

Treatment

  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.
  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.

Do ligaments heal?

Ligaments heal through a distinct sequence of cellular events that occur through three consecutive phases: the acute inflammatory phase, the proliferative or regenerative phase, and the tissue remodeling phase. Ligament healing is often slow and incomplete.

What does a torn thumb feel like?

You may have bruising, tenderness, and swelling around the base of your thumb, near the palm. If the ulnar collateral ligament is completely torn, the end of the ruptured ligament may cause a lump or swelling on the inside of the thumb. Your thumb joint may also feel loose or unstable.

Will a thumb ligament heal itself?

A torn ligament cannot fully heal itself. Surgery for the thumb collateral ligaments is usually done as an outpatient procedure, meaning you will probably go home the same day as the surgery.

Can you move a fractured thumb?

Symptoms of a broken thumb include: swelling around the base of your thumb. severe pain. limited or no ability to move your thumb.

How do you wrap an injured thumb?

Start with wrapping a piece of athletic tape around your wrist. Make sure the tape is not too tight and does not restrict blood circulation. With the second piece of tape place one end on your inner wrist and wrap the tape up over your thumb and loop it back down to the back of your wrist.