How long does it take for a sprained thumb tendon to heal?
A mild sprain usually heals within four to six weeks if you wear a splint or cast to immobilize your thumb and refrain from activities that irritate it. A more severe thumb sprain, such as a grade 3 sprain, could take several months before it’s fully healed and you’re able to use your thumb like normal again.
How long does a bruised thumb heal?
Most bruises aren’t serious and will go away on their own within 2 to 4 weeks.
What does a sprained thumb tendon feel like?
When you sprain your thumb, you’ll usually feel pain, discomfort, and stiffness at the base of your thumb near the palm. You may have trouble grabbing or pinching objects, or barely be able to move your thumb. You’ll also see swelling and bruising around the base of your thumb.
How do you know if you ripped a tendon in your thumb?
If your flexor tendons are damaged, you’ll be unable to bend one or more fingers. Tendon damage can also cause pain and inflammation (swelling) in your hand. In some cases, damage to the extensor tendons can be treated without the need for surgery, using a rigid support called a splint that’s worn around the hand.
How do you treat a thumb tendon injury?
Changing your activity, resting the sore thumb, and treating thumb tendonitis with anti-inflammatory medications and heat or ice can improve the pain in a few weeks.
Should I wrap a sprained thumb?
Taping the thumb can provide protection from further injury especially if the athlete wants to continue to participate in sports during the healing process. Once the swelling begins to subside, the athlete can begin range of motion and strengthening exercises for the thumb and hand.
Will a thumb ligament heal itself?
A torn ligament cannot fully heal itself. Surgery for the thumb collateral ligaments is usually done as an outpatient procedure, meaning you will probably go home the same day as the surgery.
How do you tell if a tendon is torn?
Ruptured Tendon Symptoms
- A snap or pop you hear or feel.
- Severe pain.
- Rapid or immediate bruising.
- Marked weakness.
- Inability to use the affected arm or leg.
- Inability to move the area involved.
- Inability to bear weight.
- Deformity of the area.
When should you go to the doctor for a thumb injury?
See a doctor as soon as possible to ensure that the injury will not cause long-term weakness, pain, and instability. The ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb may be partially or completely torn. To help determine this, your doctor will move your thumb in different positions to test how stable your thumb joint is.
Does a torn tendon hurt to touch?
You may also experience tenderness in the area of the damage, which means the tendon is sensitive to touch or pressure.
Can a torn ligament in the thumb heal on its own?
How do you know if you have a torn tendon?
Severe and excruciating pain. Immediate bruising. Pain and discomfort that worsens with tendon use. A “crunchy” sound or feeling (crepitus) with tendon use.
Do Xrays show tendon damage?
X-rays do NOT show tendons, ligaments, nerves, cartilage or blood vessels. X-rays typically show bones and joints, and may, at times, show the absence of skin (e.g. infection).
How to heal a bruised tendon?
– Try changing your activities or how you do them. – If exercise caused the problem, take lessons or ask a trainer or pro to check your technique. – If your job caused the tendon injury, ask your human resource department if there are other ways to do your job. – Always take time to warm up before and stretch after you exercise.
What are the symptoms of a sprained thumb?
Thumb sprain symptoms include pain at the time of injury,usually as the thumb is bent backward.
Why do I have a bruise on my Thumb?
Low levels of the blood components that help it clot after injury (platelets)
How you can treat a sprained thumb?
Pressure: Press down on the area of the sprain to keep swelling down.