How long does a staved thumb take 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.
What do you do if you stave your 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.
When should you go to the doctor for a thumb injury?
Usually, the pain associated with a sprain dissipates within two weeks of a simple sprain. If the pain persists generally, on motion, or is not improving within one week of the injury, you should seek further medical attention.
How do you treat a sprained thumb NHS?
Rest – stop any exercise or activities and try not to put any weight on the injury. Ice – apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a tea towel) to the injury for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. Compression – wrap a bandage around the injury to support it.
How do you treat a staved finger?
Treatment
- Apply ice for 15 minutes each hour to bring down the swelling. If you don’t have ice, you can soak the finger in cold water instead.
- Keep your finger elevated above chest level.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) to ease any discomfort.
Should you massage a sprained thumb?
Another exercise that helps to aid recovery from a sprain is to massage the knuckle and the muscles that attach to it, as this will increase blood flow and hopefully speed the recovery. To prevent the condition from becoming chronic you should avoid repetitive use of the thumb until the pain is significantly better.
How long can a sprained thumb hurt?
Share on Pinterest When the ligaments are injured it may result in a sprain. Minor sprains can heal in as few as 2 weeks. More severe sprains can take 6 to 12 weeks, or longer. Anyone who experiences thumb pain, particularly if it lasts longer than a few days should see a doctor.
What is a Bennett’s fracture?
Bennett fracture is the most common fracture involving the base of the thumb. This fracture refers to an intraarticular fracture that separates the palmar ulnar aspect of the first metacarpal base from the remaining first metacarpal.
Should you exercise a sprained thumb?
To treat a minor sprain, your doctor will have you wear a thumb spica splint or a cast to keep your thumb from moving. After about six weeks, the splint or cast is removed. Your thumb will be stiff after not using it for six weeks, so your doctor will then recommend exercises to get back full control of your thumb.
What happens if you leave a sprained finger untreated?
If left untreated, a jammed finger can lead to complications including prolonged stiffness or difficulty fully straightening the finger. Once the joint has had time to heal, a doctor may recommend exercises to reduce stiffness in the joint.
How to improve the movement of the thumb?
Movement Exercises The following exercises are designed to encourage normal movement of the fingers and thumb: Rest the little finger side of your hand on a flat surface. Gently bend the thumb towards the little finger and slowly lift back up to straight. Move your thumb into the side of your hand, in line with your index finger.
What to do if you have pain in your thumb?
If you see a GP about pain in your thumb, they’ll usually suggest you try these things: put an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) in a towel and place it on your thumb for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours stop or cut down activities that are causing the pain – for example, typing, using vibrating tools for work, or playing an instrument
How to reduce swelling in a broken thumb?
While you’re waiting to see a doctor. try not to move the finger or thumb – it may help to tape it to the finger next to it. lift your hand up to reduce swelling. apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a tea towel for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours to reduce swelling.
Do you have arthritis at the base of the thumb?
Arthritis of the basal joint of the thumb is common in women and less common in men. X-rays show it is present in about 25% of women over the age of 55, but many people with arthritis of this joint have no significant pain. What are the symptoms? Pain at the base of the thumb, aggravated by thumb use.