Ever had this thumb injury? What did you do?

In My Humble Opinion
1

Three months ago I whacked my thumb with a really heavy shelf I was taking down. I hit it in the area below the knuckle.

It really hurt for about a week, now it’s vaguely uncomfortable when I bend it and it aches at night. There hasn’t been any swelling or discoloration.

Is it possible I have a hairline fracture, or a bone bruise (is that even a thing?) Should I even care?

2

I’ve whacked my hand in various places lots of times. Once put a hairline fracture in a little internal thumb bone. That was the only time pain endured more than a few days and after X-Rays the doctor said there was nothing to do and just don’t use the hand for a while.

So I’d suggest you see a doctor if it’s been a week and not getting better. Maybe the doc won’t be able to do anything, but since it’s been a week and still hurting it’s worth looking into. And I assume you’ve been applying ice. Even if there’s no visible swelling edema can affect the bone also.

3

I know it’s bad form to believe medical advice from TV, but once on MASH, BJ injured his hand and it was called (I believe) a “compartmental fracture” and he could have lost the use of the hand.

If there’s any chance of something similar, I’d high-tail it to the sawbones.

4

Thanks, guys. I guess I should probably go in and get it x-rayed.

5

Or if you want, get a cheap splint from a drug store like Walgreens and wear that for a few weeks until the pain goes away when the hairline fracture mends.

But, if there are other possible concerns besides the sore thumb from that one whack, you may want to see a doc.

6

I broke the base of my thumb. I had experience breaking several fingers and got used to taping or splinting them up on my own.

My thumb didn’t agree with this strategy. I couldn’t heal it on my own. X ray revealed a nice crack and fragment and surgery to repair was needed.

With rehab, I got about 80% movement back. I could have done better, but the thumb is prone to tendinitis (very painful) and restricted range of movement after injury (or after poor treatment post injury).

Short version: get an x ray, as the thumb is just more complex/important

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