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A thumb sprain is when the ligaments that support the joint of the thumb become overstretched or tear due to traumatic injury such as a fall or sudden pull on the thumb. Most thumb sprains involve a tear to the ligament on the inside of the knuckle joint.
Thumb sprains cause pain, weakness and tenderness around the thumb joint. In your thumb the ligaments help you to make a fist, grab or pinch objects so these movements will be painful if you have sprained your thumb.
The cause of a thumb sprain is if the ligaments around your thumb get stretched beyond their normal limit. It may be from bending your thumb too far in one direction, falling on an outstretched hand or when catching a ball awkwardly playing a ball sport.
The symptoms are pain and stiffness around the base of the thumb with difficulty gripping objects. You may have swelling and bruising around the base of the thumb. The Ulnar Collateral Ligament is the most commonly sprained ligament which is at the base of your thumb. It stops your thumb from bending too far normally.
A physical examination of your thumb will help to determine the extent of the damage. You may require diagnostic imaging such as ultrasound to check the ligaments or X-ray to check there are no bones broken. Once the diagnosis has been made appropriate treatment for your injury can begin.
We recommend that you see one of our Blackberry Clinic Physiotherapists if you have sprained your thumb. They will decide if you need further investigation or will give you advice on starting gentle rehab exercises if appropriate.
Check out our services pages to find out more about these therapies. Practitioners are trained to treat most conditions but do this in slightly different ways. They work together to find the best treatment most suited to your condition
Initially apply ice to the painful area and rest your thumb. We suggest you book in to see one of our Blackberry Clinic physiotherapists, osteopaths or chiropractors within a week. Treatment may involve strapping or taping the thumb to keep it still or wearing a small splint and injections if it does not improve. Exercises are needed to rehab fully.
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Lorena has re-taught me how to move my body and how to think about what muscles I engage to a point that I am now running, swimming and doing pilates again and have almost full flexibility in my spine. It almost feels like Lorena can see through your skin to your muscles, so profound is her understanding of how the body moves.
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