Ask the doctor: My thumb is painful and keeps swelling up. Should I get it checked out?

​Dr Grant replies: The thumb is simply a marvellous digit that takes an atrocious batch of maltreatment owed to activities of regular living. The thumb absorption is 1 of the main functions of the hand, noted erstwhile the extremity of the thumb tin interaction the tips of the different 4 fingers.

This precise enactment allowed a large leap successful quality improvement implicit 2 cardinal years ago. The classical pincer grip of the thumb resulted successful the quality to transportation dense objects and to execute analyzable tasks specified arsenic write, usage a needle and thread oregon marque chromatic tools.

Without being capable to analyse your manus and get a implicit past of your thumb pain, I volition see a fewer communal thumb complaints. There are 3 joints successful the thumb. The archetypal one, arsenic it comes disconnected the basal of the manus adjacent the wrist, is called the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. The 2nd gives the quadrate quality of the thenar arsenic it becomes the thumb and is called the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. The 3rd joint, wherever you spot each the tegument creases arsenic you look towards the nail, is called the interphalangeal (IP) joint.

Trigger thumb is simply a communal origin of thumb symptom successful adults. The nonstop origin is hard to accidental but over-use of the associated causing repetitive strain wounded is typically astatine play. The diligent often notes a click, drawback oregon locking sensation erstwhile afloat closing the digit into the thenar of the manus (flexion of the joint). This whitethorn lone hap sometimes (not each time) arsenic the tendon —called the flexor pollicis longus — becomes inflamed and cannot glide smoothly.

A tendon is simply a flexible beardown fibrous insubstantial attaching musculus to bone. The symptom is localized astir the MCP associated and goes into the thenar oregon the extremity of the thumb/affected finger. Sometimes a tender nodule develops owed to thickening of the tendon.

Another imaginable origin for your thumb symptom whitethorn beryllium MCP associated strain, which is described arsenic pain, swelling oregon tenderness connected either broadside of the MCP associated associated with nonaccomplishment of afloat flexion (ability to afloat crook the joint).

De Quervain’s tendinopathy is commonly seen successful females implicit 30 years aged and/or successful caller mothers, erstwhile symptoms make astir 4-6 weeks aft giving birth. The tendons that question done a choky compartment connected the thumb broadside of the wrist go inflamed and painful. Once again, the nonstop origin is mostly chartless but often linked to repetitive strain. Clearly, this is your astir apt diagnosis.

The archetypal measurement successful the absorption of trigger thumb, MCP associated strain oregon De Quervain’s tendinopathy involves rest, oregon astatine slightest limiting oregon modifying the activities that whitethorn beryllium exacerbating the condition.

Consider wearing a splint to assistance trim associated movement, and instrumentality non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine specified arsenic ibuprofen to assistance relieve symptom and swelling. A splint is mostly worn for 3 to six weeks, either during the time oregon nighttime, and should support the MCP associated successful flimsy flexion (slightly bent).

If aft six weeks determination is nary important improvement, the 2nd measurement is to be a GP with a specializer involvement successful joints oregon an orthopaedic surgeon/ rheumatologist who tin execute a section steroid injection. Usually, a maximum of 3 injections whitethorn beryllium fixed astatine slightest six weeks apart, if symptoms person not improved by astatine slightest 50pc. The last measurement is usually a past resort: erstwhile information is fixed to an cognition known arsenic a surgical release.

Rarely, thumb pain/swelling whitethorn beryllium caused by an underlying inflammatory arthritis specified arsenic rheumatoid arthritis oregon reactive arthritis. If this is the case, it tin often beryllium differentiated clinically from the supra conditions successful that the swelling and symptom are on the agelong axis of the affected finger, resulting successful limited/painful extension. Treatment of the inflammatory arthritis with stronger medicine is the champion mode to resoluteness this.

Dr Jennifer Grant is simply a GP with Beacon HealthCheck