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What Are the Signs of a Broken Thumb?
Besides making a thumbs-up sign, your thumb is a part of your countless daily activities. It helps you pick up and hold on to everyday items. However, when you have a pain in your thumb, it can be hard to tell whether it’s sprained or broken. Therefore, knowing the signs of a broken thumb can help you get the required treatment on time.
Symptoms of a Broken Thumb
People who wrestle, play hockey, football, or ski are at higher risk of breaking their thumb, as are those with low calcium or a history of bone disease. Signs of a broken thumb include:
- Trouble moving the thumb
- Sudden, severe pain
- Swelling
- Tenderness when touched
- Thumb looks misshapen
- Thumb feels cold
- Tingling or numbness
If someone has trouble moving their thumb or feels cold, they should get emergency medical help. These symptoms are indicators of poor blood flow to the thumb.
Types of Thumb Fractures
Thumb fractures vary based on location and type:
- Bennett Fracture: A fracture at the base of the first metacarpal involving the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. It is often caused by force along the thumb, leading to joint instability.
- Rolando Fracture: Similar to a Bennett fracture but with a shattered (comminuted) pattern at the thumb base, typically forming a T- or Y-shape.
- Skier’s Thumb (UCL Injury): A tear or detachment of the ulnar collateral ligament at the base of the thumb, sometimes involving bone injury.
- Intra-articular Comminuted Fractures: Multiple fragments within the joint, which can cause joint instability and complicate healing.
- Extra-articular Fractures: Fractures outside the joint, classified as:
- Transverse: Straight across the bone.
- Oblique: Angled across the bone.
- Tuft Fractures: Small fractures at the tip of the distal phalanx, often from crush injuries.
- Seymour Fractures: Fractures of the distal phalanx, usually linked to nail bed injuries, requiring quick treatment to prevent complications.
How to Tell If Your Thumb Is Broken or Just Jammed?
A broken and sprained thumb causes pain, swelling, and bruising, but there are noticeable differences. A broken thumb usually causes more severe pain and looks deformed. You might also feel numbness or tingling with a fracture.
Broken Thumb Treatment
Treatment of a broken thumb depends on its severity and type. However, some effective ones include:
Non-Surgical Treatments
- Thumb Spica Cast/Splint: For stable fractures, a thumb spica cast is used to keep the thumb still while it heals, usually for 4 to 6 weeks.
- Closed Reduction: If the fracture is out of place but not severely, an orthopedic surgeon may realign the bone fragments without surgery. A cast is then applied to keep the thumb immobilized.
- Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain relievers, like NSAIDs, can help reduce pain and swelling during recovery.
- Rehabilitation: After the cast is removed, physical or occupational therapy can restore strength and movement in the thumb. This may include flexibility exercises, joint mobilization, and stretches.
Surgical Treatments
- Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF): For severely displaced fractures that don’t stay aligned with non-surgical methods, surgery is a good option. This involves making an incision to access the fracture site and using screws, plates, or wires to hold the bones together.
- External Fixation: For complex or unstable fractures, external devices stabilize the bone from outside the body.
- Percutaneous Pinning: This technique involves inserting pins through the skin into the bone to hold it in place while it heals, often used alongside closed reduction.
How Long Does a Broken Thumb Take to Heal?
A broken finger or thumb typically heals in 6 to 8 weeks, but it may take longer. It can take 3 to 4 months for your hand to regain full strength. Once it’s healed, you can normally use your finger or thumb. Moving it will help prevent stiffness.
Wrapping Up
Your thumb is an active part of your hand. Therefore, it can be vulnerable to sprains and fractures. Sprains heal on their own. However, fractures require extensive treatment. Therefore, if you notice any of the above-mentioned signs of a broken thumb, contact a healthcare professional immediately.
Visit our board-certified surgeon, Dr. Luo, at Randy Y. Luo, MD, MBA. Our doctor specializes in the hand and upper extremities to provide tailored treatment plans. Call us at any of the following numbers to book an appointment.