Broken thumb how long

Read on to learn more. A break in the thumb can occur anywhere along its two bones: the distal phalange or the proximal phalange.

Thumb fractures , or breaks, can occur for a number of reasons. These include:. People who wrestle, play hockey or football, or ski are at risk of a broken thumb, as are people with a calcium deficiency or history of bone disease. If a person has difficulty moving the thumb or it feels cold to the touch, they should seek emergency medical treatment.

These symptoms can indicate impaired blood flow to the thumb. A sprained thumb occurs when the ligaments that connect the thumb joints stretch or tear. With sprains, there is no break in the bone, but a person may experience severe pain and discomfort. Severe thumb sprains can disconnect the ligament from the thumb joint, making it feel unstable. Severe sprains can closely resemble a break. Sometimes, a person may need to seek medical attention to determine whether they have a thumb sprain or a thumb break.

If a person suspects that they may have broken their thumb, they should seek immediate medical treatment. Promptly seeking care can help a person get the treatment they need to correct the thumb fracture. For example, a break in the base of the thumb often requires surgery. Every patient is different, so visit a hand surgeon to determine the best treatment for your injury.

Learn more about thumb sprains and other upper extremity conditions at www. What is a Sprained Thumb? Signs of a Sprained Thumb So, is it a sprained thumb, a broken thumb or simply a jammed finger? Treatment for a Sprained Thumb Immediately after injuring your thumb, until you can get to a doctor's office, elevate and ice the injured hand.

Using this search tool means you agree to the user agreement and disclaimer. Related Blogs. Get medical advice as soon as possible if you think you have broken a finger or thumb. It may need treatment to heal properly. It can be hard to tell if a finger is broken, dislocated or badly sprained. You'll probably need an X-ray. They can tell you the right place to get help if you need to see someone. Go to Put an ice pack on the injured area. Do this for 20 minutes every 1 to 2 hours the first day for pain relief.

You can make an ice pack by wrapping a plastic bag of ice cubes in a thin towel. Continue using the ice pack 3 to 4 times a day for the next 2 days. Then use the ice pack as needed to ease pain and swelling. If a splint was put on, leave this in place for the time advised. This will keep the bones from moving out of position. Keep the cast or splint completely dry at all times. Bathe with your cast or splint out of the water.

Protect it with a large plastic bag, rubber-banded or taped at the top end. If a fiberglass cast or splint gets wet, you can dry it with a hair dryer. You may use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to control pain, unless another pain medicine was prescribed.

If you have chronic liver or kidney disease, talk with your healthcare provider before using these medicines.