However moves like texting, typing, cooking, and driving more likely lead to issues with the tendons (such as tendonitis).Īdditionally, pre-existing conditions can make an individual more susceptible to such injuries.Īs we age, the soft tissues that hold our joints together can weaken without proper care or overuse, causing arthritis pain and stiffness. Occasionally, high repetitive moves can sprain the thumb. Some of the most common causes of injury include falling on an outstretched hand, ball sports (baseball, basketball, football, etc.), or high fall risk sports like skiing. Causes of a Sprained ThumbĪ sprained thumb ligament is often caused by any activity that puts the thumb at risk for high impact. On the other hand, if your symptoms are more severe, you heard a crack, or your thumb appears to be out of alignment, seek medical care quickly. Thus, if your symptoms are manageable (mild to moderate pain) and there is no visible deformation in the thumb you may consider starting with home treatment.
With either injury, the symptoms largely depend on the severity. Additionally, with high impact injuries, a thumb can of course be both sprained and fractured.
CRACK YOUR THUMB PROFESSIONAL
Ultimately, an X-ray is the only way to formally determine if a thumb is broken (fractured) or sprained, so be sure to see your doctor for a professional diagnosis if you’re feeling unsure or your quality of life has been drastically affected.Ī sprained thumb is an injury to the ligaments and other soft tissues between the joints, whereas a broken thumb involves damage to the bone itself. Symptoms experienced will be severe and limit quality of life.
This requires immediate medical attention due to concerns with stability and possible fracture. This causes significantly more pain and can compromise stability and function in the thumb. The ligament(s) in the thumb are partially torn. Symptoms, such as pain, swelling, bruising, and weakness, are mild and decrease quickly. Ligaments of the thumb are stretched but not torn. This might include repetitive typing or texting, or more commonly a high impact force while gripping a ball, ski pole, or steering wheel.Ī thumb injury can be separated into three different grades to determine severity. Hyperflexion is caused by a forceful or repetitive motion toward the inside of the palm. This often occurs with a fall, an accidental force to the hand, or when participating in sports. Hyperextension describes a sprained thumb ligament caused by backwards motion, away from the inside of the palm. Understanding your sprain begins with knowing the difference between the two categories. Sprained thumb joints come in two broad categories, each with their own symptoms and causes. The most common ligament to sprain is the ulnar collateral ligament that provides lateral stability to the middle joint. These three joints include the carpometacarpal joint (where your wrist and thumb meet), the metacarpophalangeal joint (the knobbiest part of the thumb), and the interphalangeal joint (the last joint in the thumb). What is a Sprained Thumb?Ī sprained thumb is defined as damage to the ligaments (and potentially surrounding connective tissue) to one or more of the three joints in the thumb. Use this guide to learn more about thumb sprains and their causes and symptoms. The good news is there are many effective at-home and professional treatments, depending on the severity of your sprain. Besides the loss of functionality, the pain and stiffness put a definite damper on daily life. If you're suffering from a sprained thumb, you know how important that first digit really is. Without our thumbs, performing everyday tasks like typing, texting, and grasping objects would quickly become a nightmare.