Why does the side of my thumb hurt when I press it?
Pain in your thumb could be a sign of injury, overuse, or arthritis. Treatment for mild pain usually involves at-home care and painkillers. In some cases, though, persistent thumb pain may be a sign of an underlying condition or an injury that needs more invasive treatments, such as injections and surgery.
What to do if your thumb is swollen and hurts?
Rest: Support the thumb and rest it for as long as possible. Ice: Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for about 10 minutes every hour for the first day. Compress: Wear an elastic (ACE) bandage to reduce swelling. Elevate: Keep the hand raised above heart level to reduce swelling and pain.
How do you treat inflammation in the thumb?
Nonsurgical Treatment
- Ice the joint for 5 to 15 minutes several times a day.
- Take an anti-inflammatory medication, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to help reduce inflammation and swelling.
- Wear a supportive splint to limit the movement of your thumb, and allow the joint to rest and heal.
When should I see a doctor for thumb pain?
See your doctor if you have persistent swelling, stiffness or pain at the base of your thumb.
What happens if De Quervain’s goes untreated?
When De Quervain’s tendinitis is left untreated, the mobility of your wrist and thumb can be significantly hindered. “Initially, one of our hand specialists may recommend splinting and reduced activity. Another common treatment to reduce pain and swelling is cortisone injection.
What causes sharp pain in thumb joint?
There are many potential causes for thumb pain, but the three most common conditions that tend to develop are 1) arthritis, 2) trigger thumb, and 3) de Quervain tenosynovitis. The location of the pain and symptoms can help determine the exact cause of your pain and what your best treatment option may be.
What is wrong with my thumb?
What nerve affects the thumb?
Median nerve. The median nerve supplies muscles that help bend the wrist and fingers. It is a main nerve for the muscles that bend the thumb. The median nerve also gives feeling to the skin on much of the hand around the palm, the thumb, and the index and middle fingers.
Can you get gout in your thumb?
Gout flares are usually associated with signs of active inflammation, including redness, heat, swelling, and pain. Gout in the thumb can occur at the middle joint (the knuckle) or at the joint where the thumb meets the hand.
Is thumb arthritis a disability?
Many people may wonder is arthritis a disability. Yes. Arthritis can prompt incapacity, as can numerous other mental and physical conditions. If your arthritis confines your daily movements, or activities you may qualify for disability benefits.
Are you put to sleep for de Quervain’s surgery?
This surgery will probably be done while you are awake. The doctor will give you a shot (injection) to numb your hand and prevent pain. You also may get medicine to help you relax. During the surgery, the doctor will make a cut (incision) in the skin on the side of your wrist near the base of your thumb.
What is the difference between carpal tunnel and de Quervain’s?
Pain almost always increases with repetitive activity in both CTS and de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Swelling in the wrist is also a common symptom of both diagnoses. However, unlike de Quervains’ tenosynovitis, sensations of numbness and tingling is a distinguished symptom in CTS.
What causes thumb and palm pain?
Myalgia- The inflammation of lumbricals, thenar and hypothenar muscle causes pain over the wrist and palm. The inflammation of thenar muscle causes pain over palm and under the skin at base of thumb similarly, inflammation of hypothenar muscles causes pain over the base of little finger and ring finger as well as palm.
Why is thumb pain such a pain?
A compressed or pinched nerve in the arm, wrist, or hand can also contribute to finger or thumb pain. Finger pain may feel dull and achy, or it may be sharp and cramplike. The pain may start suddenly and then go away. If you have a broken finger, it’ll usually be swollen, purple or blue in color, and extremely painful.
What are the most common causes of thumb and hand pain?
If the pain in the hand is generalized and accompanied by tingling and numbness, it may be caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, another common cause of thumb and hand pain. Affecting the joints of millions of people worldwide, osteoarthritis is characterized by inflammatory pain at a joint and is a common cause of thumb and hand pain.
What causes pain in the center of the palm?
Having palm pain or pain in the palm of the hand can be the result of damage from acute injury to the bones, joints, or even nerves of the hand.