How long does it take for a tendon in the thumb to heal?
How long does it take for a tendon in the thumb to heal?
The repaired tendon will usually be back to full strength after about 12 weeks, but it can take up to 6 months to regain the full range of movement. Some people may never be able to move the affected finger or thumb as much as before it was damaged.
How do you know if you have damaged a tendon in your thumb?
If your extensor tendons are damaged, you’ll be unable to straighten 1 or more fingers. If your flexor tendons are damaged, you’ll be unable to bend 1 or more fingers. Tendon damage can also cause pain and swelling (inflammation) in your hand.
How do you treat a thumb tendon injury?
Changing your activity, resting the sore thumb, and treating thumb tendonitis with anti-inflammatory medications and heat or ice can improve the pain in a few weeks.
Can a torn thumb tendon 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.
How do you tell if a tendon is torn?
Ruptured Tendon Symptoms
- A snap or pop you hear or feel.
- Severe pain.
- Rapid or immediate bruising.
- Marked weakness.
- Inability to use the affected arm or leg.
- Inability to move the area involved.
- Inability to bear weight.
- Deformity of the area.
When should you go to the doctor for a thumb injury?
See a doctor as soon as possible to ensure that the injury will not cause long-term weakness, pain, and instability. The ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb may be partially or completely torn. To help determine this, your doctor will move your thumb in different positions to test how stable your thumb joint is.
Do torn tendons show up on xray?
X-rays do NOT show tendons, ligaments, nerves, cartilage or blood vessels. X-rays typically show bones and joints, and may, at times, show the absence of skin (e.g. infection).
Does ibuprofen slow tendon healing?
Our findings demonstrate that use of NSAIDs, specifically ibuprofen, in the immediate postoperative period may be detrimental to tendon healing, based on mechanical properties and scar tissue integrity, even several weeks after administration.
How do you check for a torn UCL in your thumb?
Often thumb UCL injuries can be detected on physical exam, and special x-rays called stress views can also help to confirm the diagnosis. These will also show if arthritis is present. Occasionally and MRI is ordered to visualize if the torn ligament.
How long is recovery from thumb tendon surgery?
Though the surgery is successful in stabilizing the thumb, it is followed by a minimum six-month recovery time before the patient regains their strength and grasp, Ruch says. With fiberwire ligament reconstruction, recovery time is shortened to three months.
How do you treat a torn ligament in the thumb?
Do not remove a splint unless instructed by the doctor.
How to treat thumb tendonitis?
Home Treatment for Thumb Tendonitis or De Quervain’s Syndrome. Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy are very effective in treating De Quervain’s syndrome. To decrease the inflammation of the tendons, avoid repetitive movement of the thumb and gripping movements as much as possible. A splint can be used to rest the tendons.
What are the different types of thumb injuries?
Thumb fractures can be of Bennett ( Picture 1) or Rolando ( Picture 2) type.
