Symptoms
Initially, a sprain of the thumb should also be treated according to the PECH rule – like all other sports injuries: It is recommended to interrupt any activity immediately (pause) and to cool the affected area as soon as possible (ice). Pressure from outside (compression) – for example by a firm bandage – helps to alleviate pain and consistent elevation keeps the developing bruise and the swelling resulting from the injury as low as possible. For further treatment of a sprained thumb, there are various possibilities.
It is not per se possible to select one of the options as particularly effective or the best; rather, the available range of options should guide the selection. After all, the best treatment method is of little use if it is not feasible. Common to all variants is the goal of immobilizing the joint and relieving pain.
Pain relief can be achieved with medication, especially in the first hours or days after the injury. However, if immobilisation is good, these should soon no longer be necessary. The joint itself can be immobilised by means of taping or bandage (see the following sections) or with specially made splints, so-called orthoses.
The injured joint should always be fixed in or at least as close as possible to the so-called normal position. This refers to the position of the joint which one would assume at rest if the joint were uninjured. This means that movements of the rest of the hand and especially of the other fingers are normally still possible without problems.
Immobilization is essential after a sprain so that healing can take place. If correct healing does not take place, in the worst case a permanent instability can develop, which can lead to significant functional loss of the thumb. If you decide to immobilize your thumb with the help of tape, the best choice is so-called sports tape from the pharmacy.
For the tape bandage, two strips (“reins”) running in opposite directions are stuck diagonally across the wrist to the opposite side. Finally one fixes these with a further tape at the wrist. If you are unsure about the correct application, it is recommended to have a doctor or physiotherapist (or another trained person) show you the correct technique.
About every 2 days the tape should be changed and reapplied. Bandaging is also a simple, quick and effective way to immobilize a sprained thumb. To do this, the tape is wrapped from the wrist up to the very end of the thumb and then back around the thumb and wrist in the shape of an 8.
The bandage material should not wrinkle and should not be too loose. But of course the bandage should not be too tight either. If the thumb starts to tingle, becomes pale or cold or hurts much more than before, the bandage is probably too tight. Now the old bandage must be loosened and reapplied. Here too, it can help to have an experienced person show you the correct technique.