In this article, we will be discussing with you all the details you need to know about a broken thumb, what causes it, the signs and symptoms to look out for and how to go about treating yourself if you find out that your thumb is broken.
Your thumb is one of the most important parts of the hand. A lot of people mostly type or scroll through their phones with their thumb. For sportsmen especially basketball or volleyball players, it is impossible to have perfect control of the ball without making use of the thumb.
Because of the various ways in which the thumb has become very useful to us, it is also one of the fingers that are also at risk of being injured.
Broken Thumb – How To Know When You Have One
The thumb is made up of two small bones known as the distal phalanges and the proximal phalanges. These two bones meet at a joint and they function together to enable the thumb to move and rotate in the appropriate directions.
A thumb is said to be broken when there is a fracture of any of the two bones that make up the thumb.
A fracture in the thumb is not as common as a fracture in the other fingers because the bones of the thumb are thicker and the thumb is usually protected by placing it inside the palm.
Despite these reasons, a broken thumb is just as painful as a fracture in any other fingers of the palm.
What Are The Causes Of A Broken Thumb?
A broken thumb is usually caused as a result of a direct force or stress to the thumb. It can occur due to any of the following causes:
- Sports: Participating in sports such as baseball, football, volleyball, wrestling, hockey or skiing can result in a broken thumb due to the intensity of force that is usually applied in these sports.
- Accident: A direct force such as a door hitting your thumb or falling on your thumb while trying to break a fall can result in a broken thumb.
- Calcium Deficiency: If you don’t have enough calcium in your diet, your bones will not be as strong as they should be and they are at risk of getting broken easily.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A Broken Thumb?
If you notice any of the following, then you may have a broken thumb:
- Severe pain in the thumb especially when anyone tries to touch it or when you attempt to move your thumb.
- If your thumb is bent at an odd angle, then it may be broken.
- You notice numbness or a feeling of coldness in your thumb.
- If you notice any swelling around your thumb.
- If you notice any bruise around your thumb.
Treatment
- When you notice that your thumb is broken, avoid pushing it back into position yourself as you may damage some surrounding structures. You can wrap the thumb in ice before going to the hospital. You can also apply a buddy splint.
- At the hospital, the doctor will take your history and request for an X-ray.
- Your thumb will be immobilized and reduced by the doctor.
- You will be given painkillers to relieve your pain.
- Depending on the severity of the fracture, the doctor may have to refer you to an orthopedic surgeon.
Contact 9INE POINT Health
9INE POINT Health will help you to find the best local health care options for a broken thumb. You can search for sports medicine providers by type and skill set. If you need a physical therapist that specializes in hand injuries, 9INE POINT Health will help you to find the best.
Getting the thumb put back in place is only step one if you are active. The second step is going through a proper rehab to make sure that it does not happen again. You want to make sure that you are working with the best options you can. Health care is too severe to leave it to random Google Searches.
9INE POINT Health was created by 9INE POINT in '19 as a means to provide athlete-driven resources to "Protect Athletes' Minds, Body and Belly". As well as be a platform for healthcare providers and other specialists to display their knowledge.
