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Thumb
sprain rehabilitation
Rehabilitation exercises
Alternative exercises
How long will the effects of my injury last?
When can I return to my sport or activity?
Read more about thumb
sprains
Thumb sprain rehabilitation
As an athlete, your number one concern is getting back to full strength
as soon as possible so that you can return to training and competition.
That is why appropriate rehabilitation is extremely important.
The most common rehabilitation
for a sprained thumb often includes the following:
- Rest
Do not perform activities that cause pain during the acute phase.
- Ice
Apply ice or a cold pack to the thumb for 15 to 20 minutes, 4 times
a day for few days.
- Medication
Take ibuprofen to help reduce inflammation and pain.
- Compression
Wrap your thumb in an elastic compression bandage (Ace bandage) to l
limit swelling and support your thumb joint.
- Stretching
When the acute pain is gone, start gentle stretching of the thumb as
recommended by your doctor. Stay within pain limits. Hold each stretch
for about 10 seconds and repeat 6 times.
Rehabilitation
exercises
The primary focus of rehabilitation for a thumb sprain is to prevent aggravation
of the existing injury. This means refraining from the activity that caused
the injury and from similarly hazardous activities, as well as using appropriate
support in the form of a splint or cast when being physically active.
Regaining and increasing
the original range of motion of the injured thumb joint facilitates recovery
and reduces the possibility of reinjury. Exercises to increase the range
of motion of the base of the thumb follow. Many sports and activities
expose the thumbs to injury. Once injured, reinjury is more likely. These
exercises are thus recommended for both hands as a preventive measure.
- Thumb extension
While seated, place the elbow of the injured-side arm on the same-side
thigh with the elbow at a right angle and fingers extended. Grasp the
injured thumb with the forefinger of the opposite hand. Gently draw
back on the injured thumb, stopping at the point of pain. Hold the injured
thumb in this position for 10 seconds, then release and rest for 10
seconds. Do this sequence five times, three times per day. You should
be able to draw the injured thumb back a bit further with each day.
If not, see your doctor for advice.
- Thumb flexion
While seated, place the elbow of the injured-side arm on the same-side
thigh with the elbow at a right angle and fingers extended. Move the
injured thumb inward so that the end of the thumb is brought as closely
as first pain permits to the base of the small finger of the same hand.
Hold this position for 10 seconds, then relax the injured thumb for
five seconds. Perform this sequence 10 times, three times a day. From
day to day it should be possible to press the injured thumb closer to
the base of the same-side small finger. If not, see your doctor for
advice.
- Hand grasp
While seated, place the elbow of the injured-side arm on the same-side
thigh with elbow at a right angle. Using a grasping ball (available
at most pharmacies), grasp the ball in the palm of the hand with the
thumb and fingers and squeeze as firmly as pain allows. Hold this position
for 10 seconds, then relax the injured hand for five seconds. Perform
this sequence 10 times at least three times daily. From day to day greater
grasping force without significant pain should be possible. If not,
see your doctor for advice.
Alternative exercises
During the period when normal training should be avoided, alternative
exercises may be used. These activities should not require any actions
that create or intensify pain at the site of injury. They include:
How long will the
effects of my injury last?
A thumb sprain from overuse usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks, provided that
you refrain from the activity that caused the injury and followed the
rehabilitation program. These symptoms gradually lessen over time, so
they may prohibit normal training for only 7 to 10 days.
When the thumb has
been sprained in an accident, the duration of effects vary with the degree
of the sprain. With first- and second-degree sprains, symptoms may persist
on some level for 3 to 6 weeks. Third-degree sprains of the thumb may
require surgical treatment, and full recovery can take months.
When can I return
to my sport or activity?
It's not advisable to return to your sport until all signs of swelling
and pain have subsided. This includes painless full range-of-motion. If
the injury is from overuse, you may return to activity if you simply modify
the way you use your thumb. This can be achieved by positioning it differently
than you did before.
If the thumb has suffered
a first- or second-degree sprain, you may return to activity within two
weeks if you wear a protective splint or cast. Full return without such
protection generally takes four to six weeks. When there has been a third-degree
sprain, full return to training and competition may take several weeks
and may require a protective cast.
Remember: The goal
of rehabilitation is to return you to your sport or activity as soon as
is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury,
which could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at
a different rate. Return to your activity is determined by how soon your
thumb sprain recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since
your injury occurred.
A good rule is to
allow pain to dictate when you're ready to return to activity. You should
return in moderation, and back off if you feel any pain.
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