THUMB FRACTURES
If you suffer from severe pain due to a hand or wrist injury, please Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists as soon as possible.
What is a Thumb Fracture?
A thumb fracture occurs when a break develops in one of the thumb’s bones. A strong impact, fall, sports injury, crushing injury, or forceful bending can break the bone. Thumb fractures can affect the bone near the tip, middle of the thumb, or base near the hand. Some fractures remain stable, while others can shift the bone out of proper alignment and affect thumb movement, strength, and grip.
What Causes Thumb Fractures?
Trauma or direct impact commonly causes thumb fractures. A fall, sports injury, car accident, crushing injury, or forceful blow can place enough stress on the thumb bone to cause a break. Forceful bending or twisting can also fracture the thumb, especially when a strong force pushes the thumb beyond its normal range of motion.
Common causes include:
- Falls onto an outstretched hand
- Sports-related injuries
- Direct blows to the thumb
- Car or workplace accidents
- Crushing injuries
- Forceful bending or twisting
- Repetitive stress that weakens the bone over time
- Conditions that weaken bone strength, which can increase fracture risk
Symptoms of a Thumb Fracture
A thumb fracture can cause sudden pain, swelling, bruising, and tenderness around the injured area. Many people also experience difficulty moving the thumb or gripping and pinching objects. A displaced fracture may cause visible deformity or an abnormal thumb position.
Common symptoms include:
- Thumb pain, especially after an injury
- Swelling around the thumb
- Bruising or discoloration
- Tenderness when touching the injured area
- Difficulty bending or straightening the thumb
- Weakness when gripping or pinching
- A crooked or deformed appearance
- Numbness or tingling in some cases
Treatment Options for Thumb Fracture
Hand specialists can often treat stable thumb fractures without surgery. Treatment may include a thumb splint or cast to keep the bone properly aligned while healing. Rest, ice, and pain medication can help manage pain and swelling. After the bone begins to heal, physical therapy and hand exercises can restore thumb movement, strength, and function.
Severe thumb fractures may require surgery, especially when the bone shifts out of alignment, the fracture extends into a joint, or the injury causes significant instability. During surgery, a hand surgeon may use screws, pins, plates, or wires to hold the bone in the correct position while healing occurs. After surgery, a splint or cast can protect the thumb, followed by hand therapy to rebuild strength and range of motion.
If you would like to speak to a Hand Doctor Fort Worth TX and Dallas Metroplex, give us a call at 817-697-4038, or contact us online. Telemedicine appointments are also available.
