The symptoms
In addition to the pain, there is often also a swelling of the ball of the thumb. This can also be reddened and overheated. In addition, the movement of the thumb is restricted.
This can be caused by pain, torn ligaments and the subsequent instability. Carpal tunnel syndrome can also lead to sensory disturbances with numbness and tingling in the thumb, index and middle finger. Trauma of the thumb may also result in bruising (so-called hematoma).
A swelling can be caused by an inflammation in the joint. The swelling as a concomitant symptom is typical for example in gout or rheumatism. Also after injuries, torn ligaments or broken bones, the ball of the thumb usually swells up.
If pain occurs when grasping, opening a bottle or turning the key, this is usually a sign of arthrosis in the thumb saddle joint. In addition, pain in the thumb occurs in the so-called tendovaginitis stenosans de Quervain, especially during grasping movements. This is an inflammation of the tendon sheaths of two muscles of the thumb.
Women after menopause are particularly affected. In addition to the pain when grasping, there is also pressure pain in the area of the lateral wrist, where the tendons begin. If the thumb is pressed towards the palm of the hand, pain (so-called Finkelstein’s sign) occurs and speaks for this tendosynovitis.
The therapy is initially performed non-surgically by immobilization. If this is not successful, an operation is usually performed to split the tendon sheath. In most cases, pain in the ball of the thumb occurs simultaneously with a so-called adducted thumb position.
The thumb is adducted when it is pulled towards the palm of the hand and can no longer be spread outwards. In this state, the muscles responsible for adduction are in permanent contraction and are hardened and palpable. Other muscles besides the adductors can also be affected. If pain occurs in the ball of the thumb and the thumb can no longer be spread, this is often due to repetitive activities performed with the thumb of the hand. These often include intensive use of the computer mouse, braking with the thumb when cycling and manual work such as knitting, where the thumb has to apply greater pressure.
