how to treatment a thumb liagment

How do you fix a torn ligament in the thumb?

Circular motion massages to the scar, from the palm moving towards the wrist using a simple moisturising cream. This must be carried out for 10 minutes, at least 3 times a day. Rubbing the scar on different textured materials to improve skin sensitivity. Submerging the hand under the cold and warm water to improve the temperature sensitivity.

What can I do about a stiff thumb joint?

Jul 20, 2006 · The goal of treatment is to help the ligaments heal so that the thumb can be restored to full function. Nonsurgical Treatment. If the thumb ligaments are only partially torn, they usually heal without surgery. Your thumb will be immobilized for four to six weeks in a special cast, called a thumb spica cast. After that, you will begin to do exercises to regain your …

What kind of therapy do I need after thumb surgery?

Surgical repair may include debriding the torn ligament—which involves cleaning up the damaged ligament tissue so new, healthy tissue can grow—or, in severe cases, repairing the tear with sutures anchored to the bone. This may also necessitate realigning the bones and anchoring them in place with pins so they don’t pull the healing ligament apart.

What is a thumb sprain and how is it treated?

Aug 29, 2017 · Bend the top part of your thumb back and forth. Hold the base of your thumb and bend it so that the thumb touches your palm. Touch …

How long does it take thumb ligaments 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.Dec 23, 2021

How do I know if I tore a ligament in my thumb?

They often include:Pain and discomfort at the base of the thumb.Bruising at the base of the thumb.Swelling at the base of the thumb.Stiffness.Tenderness of the thumb, towards the palm of your hand.If the ligament is completely torn, the end of the torn ligament may cause a lump on the thumb.Jun 8, 2020

How do you repair a torn ligament in your thumb?

UCL repair surgery is a procedure to treat an injury to the UCL, the soft tissue that connects the bones of the thumb and provides stability to the thumb joint. In this minimally invasive technique, the surgeon makes a small cut over the back of the thumb joint and examines the area around the injury for damage.

Can a torn thumb ligament heal without surgery?

If the thumb ligaments are only partially torn, they usually heal without surgery. Your thumb will be immobilized for four to six weeks in a special cast, called a thumb spica cast. Patients who are treated nonsurgically with a thumb spica cast can start our Physical Therapy program when the cast is removed.

Should I wrap a sprained thumb?

Rest: Move your thumb as little as possible to keep the sprain from getting worse. Ice: Fill a bag with ice and put it on the area of the sprain to reduce pain and swelling. Compression: Wrap the area of the sprain with elastic wrap to keep pressure on the sprain.

How do you check for a torn UCL in your thumb?

Symptoms of a UCL tear include pain in the webbing between thumb and index finger, bruise-like discoloration on the thumb's skin, and swelling of the thumb that develops over the hours immediately following the injury.Nov 5, 2019

Does ligament damage show up on xray?

X-rays may be needed to rule out a bone fracture. However, X-rays don't show soft tissues, such as ligaments and tendons. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Mar 10, 2021

Can a torn ligament heal on its own?

Beware the fully torn ligament Complete tears rarely heal naturally. Since there's a disconnect between the tissue and any chance of blood supply, surgery is needed. Surgery also helps the joint heal correctly and reduces the chances of re-injury.

How painful is a torn ligament?

A torn ligament can result in varying degrees of pain and discomfort, depending on the extent of the injury. It may produce heat, extensive inflammation, popping or cracking noises, severe pain, instability within the joint and an inability to put weight or pressure on the joint.Mar 7, 2019

What helps ligaments heal faster?

The high concentration of platelets helps your ligament heal faster than it normally would.

What helps torn ligaments heal faster?

Try to ice your joint as much as you can to help your blood circulate better. Elevate your knee above your heart while you keep an ice pack on. Compression with a knee sleeve or ACE bandage and the range-of-motion exercises will also help reduce swelling. Retain muscle strength.Jun 28, 2020

What is the fastest way to heal ligaments in hand?

Put ice or a cold pack on your hand for 10 to 20 minutes at a time to stop swelling. Try this every 1 to 2 hours for 3 days (when you are awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice pack and your skin. Keep your splint dry.

How long does it take for a thumb ligament to heal?

If the thumb ligaments are only partially torn, they usually heal without surgery. Your thumb will be immobilized for four to six weeks in a special cast, called a thumb spica cast. After that, you will begin to do exercises to regain your range of motion and to strengthen your grip.

What happens when you pull your thumb away from your hand?

Any hard force on the thumb that pulls the thumb away from the hand (called a valgus force) can cause damage to the ulnar collateral ligaments. When the thumb is straight, the collateral ligaments are tight and stabilize the joint against valgus force. If the force is too strong, the ligaments can tear. They may even tear completely.

What happens when you fall on a ski pole?

When a skier falls down while holding a ski pole, the thumb may get bent out and back, leading to an injury in the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb.

Why is it called a gamekeeper's thumb?

This condition is sometimes called gamekeeper's thumb because Scottish gamekeepers commonly injured their thumbs as a result of their job. This guide will help you understand. how the ulnar collateral ligament is injured.

What happens when the collateral ligaments tear?

When the collateral ligaments actually tear, the MCP joint becomes very unstable. It is especially unstable when the thumb is bent back. If one of the ligaments pulls away from the bone and folds backwards, it won't be able to heal in the correct position. When this happens, surgery is needed to fix the ligament.

How long does it take to recover from thumb surgery?

You will be placed in a thumb spica cast after surgery for four weeks. Some surgeons will take the spica cast off at four weeks and then place your thumb in an immobilizing splint for another two weeks. Some patients work with a physical or occupational therapist to help regain range of motion and strength in the thumb. Most patients are able to return to normal activity three months after their surgery.

What is it called when your thumb is unstable?

Sometimes the ligament itself will not tear but instead pulls a small piece of bone off the base of the thumb where it attaches. This is called an avulsion fracture. This can also lead to an unstable thumb joint if the fracture does not heal correctly.

What causes a tear in the wrist?

A fall or sudden stress on the wrist – such as weight-bearing activities – can cause a ligament tear and separate the small bones of the inner wrist. This type of injury is common among athletes and is sometimes accompanied by a fracture.

What is the function of the scapholunate ligament?

The scapholunate ligament is responsible for ensuring that the two bones – scaphoid and lunate – move in unison. This ensures smooth rotation of the wrist. When this hand ligament is torn, the scaphoid and lunate move in different directions, which results in pain and loss of strength when gripping.

What is a sprain in the hand?

Injuries to ligaments are very common; in fact, what we call a sprain is actually an injury to the ligaments of the “sprained” joint. The hand is particularly susceptible to ligament injuries simply because it gets so much use and thus is exposed to many possibilities for injury.

How to heal a sprained thumb?

Right after you’ve sprained your thumb, use the PRICE method: 1 Pressure: Press down on the area of the sprain to keep swelling down. 2 Rest: Move your thumb as little as possible to keep the sprain from getting worse. 3 Ice: Fill a bag with ice and put it on the area of the sprain to reduce pain and swelling. 4 Compression: Wrap the area of the sprain with elastic wrap to keep pressure on the sprain. 5 Elevation: Keep your hand lifted above your heart to reduce swelling and internal bleeding.

How long does it take for a thumb splint to be removed?

To treat a minor sprain, your doctor will have you wear a thumb spica splint or a cast to keep your thumb from moving. After about six weeks , the splint or cast is removed. Your thumb will be stiff after not using it for six weeks, so your doctor will then recommend exercises to get back full control of your thumb.

Why is it called a skier's thumb?

A sprained thumb is sometimes called skier’s thumb because you can easily injure your thumb’s UCL if you hit your thumb at high speeds against a skiing pole. It’s also sometimes called gamekeeper’s thumb because of how common a chronic UCL sprain is among gamekeepers.

What is a thumb sprain?

Overview. A thumb sprain happens when you injure the tissues in your thumb that connect the bones in a joint. These tissues, known as ligaments, keep your bones in place when the joint moves. In your thumb, several ligaments help you grab objects, pinch, and make a fist. A thumb sprain is much less serious than a broken thumb because ...

Can you have surgery if you tore your thumb?

You may need surgery if your UCL is torn or if a splint or cast doesn’t help. This surgery can repair or reattach the ligament and any tissue or bones that may have been fractured or torn out of the joint when you injured your thumb.

Is a thumb sprain more serious than a broken thumb?

A thumb sprain is much less serious than a broken thumb because the ligament or bone isn’t broken or torn. A broken bone or a torn ligament may require more long-term treatment. Read on to learn more about how to know if you’ve sprained your thumb, what can cause a sprain, and how it’s treated.

How to diagnose a sprained thumb?

In diagnosing a sprained thumb, x-rays can show whether the bones of the thumb and hand are broken. Your hand specialist will examine the thumb to determine whether the ligament is torn. Some tears can be treated using a splint or a cast. Other tears need to be fixed surgically. If the injury is chronic, the ligament might not be able ...

What ligaments are involved in a sprained thumb?

The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and the radial collateral ligament (RCL) help stabilize the thumb. A sprained thumb is an injury to one of these ligaments. Upon falling, the ski pole may bend the thumb in an extreme position and tear the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), resulting in a sprained thumb.

How to stop thumb from moving?

2. Thumb Taping. Thumb taping is another way to prevent the thumb from moving and potentially making the injury worse. Your doctor will show you how to wrap a sprained thumb.

What happens if you pull your thumb?

You will have difficulty writing, opening jars, turning a door handle, or even holding a glass. There will be swelling. Bruising will likely occur around the base of the thumb. The joint will become red and inflamed.

What is a sprained thumb?

A sprained thumb (also known as a jammed thumb) is often the result of a repetitive action that strains the ligaments in the thumb. A ligament is soft tissue that connects bones to other bones, creating a complete joint. Thumb sprains are common in sports such as volleyball, rugby, martial arts, skiing, and even basketball ...

How to treat a sprained ankle?

Stage one treatment is focused on reducing pain and swelling using the classic remedy known as RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation).

What is a thorough checkup?

A thorough checkup by a physiotherapist is where you will land next in your path to diagnosis. They will be able to find out which joint has been injured and can determine a course of treatment. X-rays and an MRI might be called for if the physiotherapist suspects a fracture or thumb dislocation.

How does TENS work?

Your physiotherapist might suggest using Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). Small tabs are connected with wires to a machine and then placed on the injury site. A small amount of electricity is passed through the wires to your skin. The electrical current speeds up tissue healing, but can also help with pain management.

How to shake someone's hand?

Place your hand palm-side down on a flat surface. Attempt to move your thumb away from your palm, hold this position for five seconds, and then bring it back. Next, rest your hand on its side, with your thumb on your index finger, as though you were going to shake someone’s hand.

How to tell if a ligament is tearing?

Symptoms. A ligament tear is painful and tender to the touch. You may see swelling and bruising. It may be difficult to move the joint. In the case of some ligaments, you may hear a pop or feel tearing at the time of the injury. You may also experience muscle spasms. 1 . Ligaments support and strengthen joints.

How to diagnose ligament tear?

The diagnosis of a ligament tear begins with a physical examination and medical history. Your healthcare provider will ask what you were doing when you experienced the injury and examine the site. Palpating the site and moving the joint can give them information on the extent of the injury.

What causes a torn ulnar collateral ligament?

Other common sites of ligament tears and the possible causes behind them include: 1 Thumb: The ulnar collateral ligament can be torn when skiing (the injury is often called skier's thumb) or in a fall when the thumb is bent in an extreme position. 6  2 Neck: The ligaments of the neck can be torn during whiplash injuries when sudden acceleration and deceleration cause extreme movement of the cervical spine. The ligament tear is just one part of a whiplash injury, which may also damage muscles, nerves, and bones. 7  3 Back: The ligaments in the back can be torn by lifting something that is too heavy. 8 

Why do ligaments tear?

A ligament tear usually occurs due to extreme force to a joint such as with a fall or another high-impact event. Common ligament tears are to the ankle, knee, wrist, thumb, neck, or back ligaments.

What is the function of ligaments?

Ligaments support and strengthen joints. Their main function is to keep the bones of the skeleton in proper alignment and prevent abnormal movements of the joints. Movement will be impaired when a ligament is torn, resulting in looseness in the joint or being unable to move the joint normally.

Which ligament is most commonly injured?

The ACL is the most common ligament to be injured. 4 . Wrist: There are 20 ligaments in the wrist and tears most often occur in falling on an outstretched hand. The scapholunate ligament and the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) are the most common ones injured. 5 . Other common sites of ligament tears and the possible causes ...

What happens when you force a joint out of its normal position?

Forcing a joint out of its normal position can result in a ligament tear. This can occur in a fall, sudden twisting, or a blow to the body. 2 

How to treat a thumb injury?

Depending on your injury, you may need additional treatment like: 1 Splints: A special splint called a thumb spica splint can support your wrist and thumb so they can heal. 2 Pain management: We use non-narcotic medications and integrative care like acupuncture to manage pain so you can heal. Find out more about orthopedic pain we treat. 3 Steroid (cortisone) injections: Injected medications can deliver pain relief or lubrication directly to the inflamed area. Learn more about injections for joint pain.

How long does it take for a thumb to heal after surgery?

The surgery is brief, but full recovery takes several months. We’ll recommend hand therapy or occupational therapy after surgery to regain your thumb function and learn healthy ways of using your hand. Learn more about orthopedic physical therapy.

What is hand therapy?

Hand therapy: Some physical therapists and occupational therapists achieve certified hand therapist status. This means they’ve spent thousands of hours specializing in the hand. Hand therapy can improve your hand function and reduce pain.

What is the pain on the thumb side of the wrist?

De Quervain's tenosynovitis symptoms . The universal symptom of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is pain on the thumb side of the wrist, which sometimes extends up the forearm. If you have thumb tendonitis from De Quervain’s, you may also notice: Swelling on the thumb side of the wrist. A catching or snapping feeling when you move the thumb.

What does it mean when your thumb is swollen?

Swelling on the thumb side of the wrist. A catching or snapping feeling when you move the thumb. Thumb and wrist stiffness. Thumb weakness and trouble lifting things – even a coffee cup. Eventually, you may notice a squeaking or snapping noise (called crepitus) as the tendons move through the narrowed tunnel.

How to test for de Quervain's?

Bend your thumb in against your palm. Close your fingers over your thumb to make a fist. Bend your wrist sideways, toward your little finger and the floor. If De Quervain’s is the cause, you’ll feel tendon pain on the thumb side of the wrist during this test.