Treatment of a broken thumb
- Initial treatment of a suspected thumb fracture includes immobilization with a splint and applying ice or cold water to reduce pain and swelling.
- The hand should be raised up high above the heart to ensure gravity helps with reducing bleeding and swelling.
- A Doctor will examine the hand for signs of any complications such as nerve or blood vessel damage.
- They will also perform an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis and check the fractured piece of bone is not displaced.
- If it is a simple fracture which has not become displaced, the thumb may be immobilized in a thumb spica cast. ...
- The cast is kept on for 3 to 6 weeks depending on the patient’s age. Younger patients will heal quicker. In some cases, a more lightweight splint may be used.
What to do if you have a fracture in your thumb?
If you suspect a thumb fracture, especially a Rolando, or Bennett’s fracture at the base of the thumb then seek medical attention as soon as possible. Initial treatment of a suspected thumb fracture includes immobilization with a splint and applying ice or cold water to reduce pain and swelling.
What is a broken thumb?
A broken thumb is either a break to the small phalanges bones which make up the thumb. Or a fracture at the base of the thumb, where it attaches to the metacarpal bone in the hand.
How long does it take to recover from a thumb fracture?
If a person has a cast after surgery, a doctor will usually remove this up to 6 weeks after the procedure. A doctor will usually recommend physical therapy following a thumb fracture and after a person has their cast removed.
How long does a fractured thumb take to recover?
Recovering from a broken finger or thumb A broken finger or thumb usually heals within 6 to 8 weeks, but it can take longer. It may be 3 to 4 months before full strength returns to your hand. Once it's healed, use your finger or thumb as normal. Moving it will stop it getting stiff.
How can you tell if a thumb is fractured?
Symptoms of a fractured thumb include:Severe pain at the fracture site.Swelling.Limited or no ability to move the thumb.Extreme tenderness when the thumb is touched.A misshapen or deformed look to the thumb.Numbness or coldness in the thumb.Instability of a joint in the thumb.
Do you need a cast for fractured thumb?
A bone fracture will need to be realigned and immobilized by a cast, while a torn ligament will require surgery for reattachment. Failing to do this could lead to complications such as deformity, chronic pain, arthritis, stiffness, and/or permanent disability.
Can I fix my broken thumb?
A broken thumb can be repaired nonsurgically or surgically.
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.
Is my thumb bruised or fractured?
Is my thumb broken or sprained? Both a broken (fractured) thumb and a sprained thumb can cause pain, swelling and bruising, but there are some differences to look for. 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.
How do you wrap a thumb?
3:256:09Taping Tutorial: How to tape (strap) a thumb and wrist for sports, Simple!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe back of the thumb. And head back to the ulna. Styloid. Before finishing with a complete circuitMoreThe back of the thumb. And head back to the ulna. Styloid. Before finishing with a complete circuit around the thumb and back to the omastar load. Again. Again tear the tape off at the wrist.
How do you tape a thumb?
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. Repeat step number 3 up to four times to secure your thumb.
What happens if a broken thumb goes untreated?
Failure to treat a broken thumb can often result in arthritis or breaking down of the joint. This can cause chronic pain, stiffness, and swelling.
How do you make a thumb splint?
0:112:28How to Make a Thumb Spica Splint in less than 5 Minutes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWrap the open edge around the ip joint of the thumb down to the cmc joint. And seal the edge. ThenMoreWrap the open edge around the ip joint of the thumb down to the cmc joint. And seal the edge. Then we'll conform the material.
What to do if you have a fractured thumb?
Initial treatment of a suspected thumb fracture includes immobilization with a splint and applying ice or cold water to reduce pain and swelling.
How to tell if your thumb is broken?
Symptoms of a broken thumb 1 Symptoms include sudden pain at the time of injury with immediate swelling and bruising that will come on rapidly. 2 The thumb will be particularly painful when attempting to move it. 3 Your thumb may click during movement.
How long does a thumb spica cast last?
This goes from the forearm to the hand and continues onto the thumb. Therefore, immobilizing the entire thumb joint. The cast is kept on for 3 to 6 weeks depending on the patient’s age.
Why is a thumb fracture not common?
Thumb fractures are not very common. This is because: The bones (phalanges) are thicker than those in the fingers. The thumb is opposable and shorter than the finger Therefore, it is often protected by bringing it across the palm of the hand.
How long does it take for a thumb to be immobilized?
The surgeon may realign the fragments and fix them in place with pins. The thumb is again immobilized for several weeks.
How do you know if you broke your thumb?
Symptoms of a broken thumb. Symptoms include sudden pain at the time of injury with immediate swelling and bruising that will come on rapidly. The thumb will be particularly painful when attempting to move it. Your thumb may click during movement.
Where does the Bennett fracture occur?
This is especially true of the Bennett fracture and the Rolando fracture which occur at the joint between the 1st metacarpal and the wrist. Both a virtually the same, except with a Rolando fracture, the bone breaks into more than two pieces.
What to do if you have a broken thumb?
If a person suspects that they may have broken their thumb, they should seek immediate medical treatment. Waiting to seek care can impact a doctor’s ability to correct the fracture at a later time.
What to do after a thumb fracture?
A doctor will usually recommend physical therapy following a thumb fracture and after a person has their cast removed. Physical therapy usually involves strengthening and stretching exercises to help a person regain movement and strength in the thumb.
What is the distal phalange of the thumb?
The distal phalange is the tip of the thumb, and the proximal phalange is the portion closest to the thumb’s base. Thumb fractures, or breaks, can occur for a number of reasons. These include: falling and landing on the thumb. pulling the thumb back too far. excessively twisting the thumb joint.
Why do doctors use splints on thumbs?
This is because a doctor may have difficulty applying a splint or cast to the thumb. A splint or cast ensures that the thumb is in the right place to heal correctly. A doctor may be able to correct breaks closer to the end of the thumb through external manipulation.
What are the symptoms of a sprained thumb?
Some of the symptoms of a sprained thumb include: bruising. a thumb joint that feels unstable. a lump or bump present on the thumb joint.
How to stop swelling in thumb?
keeping the thumb elevated to help reduce swelling. applying a cloth-covered ice pack to the thumb, which can help reduce pain and swelling. wrapping the affected thumb with a cloth bandage or wrap, usually in a straight position, as this can help keep the thumb from moving and further injuring the bones.
How to tell if your thumb is broken?
Some symptoms of a broken thumb include: difficulty moving the thumb. sudden and severe pain in the thumb. swelling. tenderness to the touch. thumb appears misshapen. thumb feels cold to the touch. tingling and numbness in the thumb.
How to tell if your thumb is broken?
Symptoms of a fractured thumb include: 1 Severe pain at the fracture site 2 Swelling 3 Limited or no ability to move the thumb 4 Extreme tenderness 5 A misshapen or deformed look to the thumb 6 Numbness or coldness in the thumb
Why does my thumb get a fracture?
Thumb fractures are usually caused by direct stress, such as from a fall. A thumb fracture may happen when a ball catches and pulls the thumb back. Some fractures may be caused indirectly, from twisting or muscle contractions, as occur in wrestling, hockey, football, and skiing.
What is a Bennett and Rolando fracture?
Bennett and Rolando fractures are breaks at the base of the thumb. They involve the joint between the thumb metacarpal and a specific wrist bone. Fractures that involve the joints are always more difficult to treat and are at increased risk of an unfavorable outcome.
How many bones are there in the thumb?
The thumb has two bones. The first bone (distal phalange) extends from the tip of the thumb to the knuckle. The second bone (proximal phalange) extends from the knuckle to the base of the thumb. This is the area of webbing between the thumb and the first finger. The thumb connects with a bone in the hand (first metacarpal).
What is the procedure to hold bone fragments in place?
These techniques include devices that hold the bone fragments in place either inside the body (internal fixation) or outside the body (external fixation ). Internal fixation techniques include the use of wire, pins, plates, and screws.
Why do you need a padded splint?
A padded splint can be used to prevent the bone from moving farther out of alignment. This is encouraged before treatment is finalized. The physician will examine the injury, take a medical history, and order x-rays of the injury.
How long do you wear a cast on a fractured bone?
The cast may need to be worn for at least 4 to 6 weeks.
Overview
A broken finger occurs when one or more of the bones in your finger break. Another name for a broken bone is a bone fracture. People often break their fingers due to injury or weakened bones.
Symptoms and Causes
Most finger fractures result from injuries. The most common situations that result in broken fingers include:
Diagnosis and Tests
To diagnose a broken finger, your provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms. They may check whether your injured finger:
Management and Treatment
Finger fracture treatment depends on the location and severity of the fracture. Your provider will also look at whether your fracture is stable or unstable.
Prevention
You may not always be able to prevent broken fingers. To reduce your risk of a broken finger from weakened bones, you should:
Living With
You should always seek care right away if you suspect you may have a broken finger. You can visit an urgent care center or a hospital’s emergency department.
What are the treatment options for a broken finger?
The treatment plan is individualized, based on the x-rays and the patient’s unique needs. Satisfactory healing of the fracture is important to restore the function of the hand. Early diagnosis and treatment is very important, and hand therapy can help with range of motion, swelling, and strength during the healing process.
What is involved with phalanx fracture surgery?
The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis using either local or regional anesthesia (nerve block). During the surgery I improve the alignment of the phalanx fracture and use an implant to stabilize the bones. Fluoroscopic x-rays are used in the operating room to check the alignment.
What to do if you have a broken thumb?
Visit your doctor or go to the emergency room. If you think you have broken a thumb, you should go to the emergency room so that a professional can set it. If you wait too long, the swelling caused by the broken bone can actually make it too difficult to realign the bones, which means that your thumb could be permanently bent.
How to tell if your thumb is broken?
To diagnose a broken thumb, note any severe pain immediately following the injury. Additionally, check if your thumb is bent at an odd angle or is twisted in a strange way, which may indicate a broken bone. You should also pay attention to any numbness, tingling, or coldness in your thumb.
Why does my thumb feel cold?
This is because a fractured bone or a lot of swelling can block the blood vessels that carry blood into your thumb and surrounding tissue.
How long does it take for a broken thumb to swell?
When you break a bone, the area around it will swell up due to inflammation. Your thumb will begin to swell five to ten minutes after the injury has occurred. After the thumb swells, it may begin to stiffen. The swelling in your thumb might also affect the closest fingers to your thumb.
What is the most common intra-articular fracture of the thumb?
Of the intra-articular thumb fractures, the two most common are a Bennetts fracture and a Rolando’s fracture. In both, the thumb fractures (and likely dislocates) along the carpometacarpal joint (the thumb joint closest to the hand).
Why is it so hard to move my thumb?
Your ligaments connecting your bones will also most likely be unable to function properly , which can also make it difficult to move your thumb. In particular, check to see if you can move your thumb backwards. If you can move it backwards without pain, you probably have a sprain rather than a broken bone.
How long does it take for an extra articular fracture to heal?
Extra-articular fractures are those that take place away from a joint along the length of one of the two bones in the thumb. While painful and requiring six weeks to heal, these fractures do not typically require surgical intervention.
How to stop a swollen thumb?
Ice may also help prevent tissue damage. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel before you place it on your thumb, splint, or cast. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes every hour, or as directed.
How long does it take for a thumb to heal after a cast?
You may need x-rays of your thumb to check the position as it heals. Your cast may need to be removed after 2 to 3 weeks to check any wounds. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.