What could be wrong with my thumb?

My thumb started acting weirdly… No pain, and I can move it just fine–except that I can’t straighten the last joint (one that’s closest to the fingernail). It can go down and back up, but not all the way. I didn’t hurt my thumb in any way, I just tried to scratch an itch and suddenly found my thumb won’t straighten.

It started a few hours ago and is easing up now, although it still won’t go all the way.

Any idea what this is?

Not all sprains or such are painful.

I’d look up the proper word, but I’m not sure this thread is going to last long.

No way to tell without a physical exam. Could be inflammation, could be a sprain or strain, could be nerve damage, could be a tumor, could be a viral infection in the joint…or it could just be “one of those things” that goes away on its own and never comes back.

I guess it’s “one of those things”. It’s gone now.

Freaky for a while there, though.

Are there lots of these things with the human body where something happens and stops with no explanation?

Babale, if you’re concerned about your thumb, see a doctor.